Ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
This succulent plant stores water in many small cells that resemble ice crystals
Characteristics
The ice plant is extremely salt-tolerant. It absorbs salt from the air and stores it in visible vesicles on the surface of its leaves and stems. It has adapted this trait in the dry coastal regions of South Africa, where it originates. It grows as a creeping plant and forms mats that can spread quite extensively. Flowering season is June through September; small white-pink flowers
Location
Full sun and warm
How to use
The fleshy leaves have a refreshingly tart, slightly salty flavor and a crisp texture. They make a great addition to leafy salads or can be served after being briefly sautéed in butter. They can also be eaten simply as a salad, since they’re already salty.
Other names for this plant include “salt leaf” , “salty iceplant” or “rosa de jericho”.
Older people here on the island remember using the plant to wash their hands when there was no water available.
The plant’s dermatological healing properties are also important. The extract is used to treat atopic dermatitis and psoriasis and is an ingredient in many skin care products.
We’ve published two videos about the iceplant so far. In “The Ice Plant”, we provide general information and report on how we grow the plant on our finca. In the video “Ice Plant Cream”, we show how we process the juice into a cream.