294 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



The order has few well-defined characters and the genera 

 approach the orders Phytolaccacea and Caryophyllacece. The 

 order comprises spreading or prostrate herbs, half shrubs or 

 shrubs. 



Mesembrianthemum (Hottentot Fig genus). The 

 species of this genus are well fitted for their life on the hot, 

 dry sands or sea coast, where they flourish. The leaves store 

 an abundance of moisture, and standing erect, face to face, at 

 the growing point, protect the bud. The leaves of M. crystal- 

 h'num, L., are covered with globe-shaped hairs, that glisten in the 

 sun. The fruit, unlike most capsules, opens and scatters in 

 seeds only in moist weather, when the seeds can germinate. 

 The parts may be made to open and close again and again by 



I. II. 



FIG. 266. Mesembrianthemum. I. Stamens. II. Diagram. (From 

 Henslow's " South African Flowering Plants ".) 



placing them alternately in a glass of water, and then drying 

 them in the sun. Dr. Marloth has called our attention to the 

 similarity of the angular leaves to the rocks and pebbles among 

 which they grow, which is a protection from grazing animals, 

 as is also the astringent juice of the leaves. The showy part 

 of the flower is made of stamens which have changed into 

 petal-like bodies. The ovary is inferior, many-seeded, usually 

 5 (4-2o-celled). The stamens and glandular receptacle secrete 

 honey. Three hundred species. Abundant south of the 

 Orange River and west of the Fish River. 



The placentation is peculiar in this genus. It is at first 



