Mesembryanthemum digitatum
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Dactylopsis digitata - prev Phyllobolus digitatus - finger and thumb plant 5.jpg
| image_caption = Potted M. digitatum
| status =
| status_system =
| status_ref =
| genus = Mesembryanthemum
| species = digitatum
| authority = (Aiton)
| synonyms = * Dactylopsis digitata
- Phyllobolus digitatus
}}
Mesembryanthemum digitatum, or finger-and-thumb plant, is a stemless plant found in South Africa with a clump of 2–4 thick, waxy leaves per shoot that emerge from the ground which resemble human-like fingers.Cuben, Suzanne; Cullen, James; Knees, Sabina G. 2011. The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass. Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom.
Description
The species resembles dwarf shrubs, with their cylindrical leaves reaching only about 10 cm high.{{Cite web|title=Dactylopsis digitata|url=http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aizoaceae/33873/Dactylopsis_digitata|access-date=2021-11-30|website=www.llifle.com}} Their epidermis consists of bladder cells, which are tiny hair-like structures that help the plant retain water, especially during times of drought.{{Cite web|title=Surface Cells Store Water — Biological Strategy — AskNature|url=https://asknature.org/strategy/surface-cells-store-water/|access-date=2021-11-30|website=asknature.org|language=en-US}} M. digitatum grows white or cream-colored flowers that begin to bloom in late winter. The flower sepals and petaloid staminodes fused together to form wispy linear tubes concentrically aligned around a shell-shaped nectary.Bruyns, Peter V., Klak, Cornelia. 2013. A new infrageneric classification for Mesembryanthemum (Aizoaceae:Mesembryanthemoideae). Bothalia, 43,2: pp. 197-206. Fruits produced by the flowers contain fused valve wings and five locules with light brown seeds. M. digitatum roots are fasciculate or arranged in a bundle. Due to the resemblance of M. digitatum leaves to fingers, the species name "digitatum" is derived from Latin, and it means "to have fingers".{{Cite web|title=Latin Definition for: digitatus, digitata, digitatum (ID: 17694) - Latin Dictionary and Grammar Resources - Latdict|url=https://latin-dictionary.net/definition/17694/digitatus-digitata-digitatum|access-date=2021-11-30|website=latin-dictionary.net}}
Taxonomy
Mesembryanthemum digitatum is in the subfamily Mesembryanthemoideae which is one of four subfamilies in the family Aizoaceae, which are known as the stone plants. Stone plants are a group of succulent plants that are native to Southern Africa. They are named "stone plants" due to their resemblance to rocks, which helps them avoid being consumed by herbivores.{{Citation|title=Lithops|date=2021-11-22|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lithops&oldid=1056570418|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2021-11-30}} Members of genus Mesembryanthemum contain bladder cells to help them retain water during droughts.{{Citation|title=Mesembryanthemum|date=2021-03-31|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mesembryanthemum&oldid=1015286845|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2021-11-30}}
Distribution and habitat
Mesembryanthemum digitatum is native to Cape Province in South Africa. These plants are abundant specifically in Karoo of South Africa, which has the perfect environment for this plant to thrive in, including winter rainfall, rocky and sandy soil, and a warm, arid climate.
Cultivation
Like most succulents, Mesembryanthemum digitatum needs a warm climate and does not tolerate over-watering, as it retains water very well. Therefore, the plant must only be watered when the soil is dry, and the soil must drain well. These plants do require a lot of sunlight, so keeping them outside or near a window is pertinent. Last, M. digitatum is a perennial, but does not tolerate extremely cold winters, so it is essential to keep the plant indoors depending on the region and to make sure they do not frost. Seeds should be planted at the end of spring frosting near the end of May, which is a perfect time for their flowers to bloom. Seeds will take around three weeks to germinate.{{Cite web|title=82 Types of Mesembryanthemum: Care and Propagation Guide {{!}} Succulent Alley|url=https://succulentalley.com/mesembryanthemum/|access-date=2021-11-30|language=en-US}}
References
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Category:Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces
Category:Plants described in 1789