Editing Ice plant (section)

== Characteristics ==

* '''Physical Characteristics''': ''M. crystallinum'' is a prostrate, succulent annual or perennial plant with sprawling stems that can grow up to 60 cm in length. The leaves are ovate to spathulate, 2-10 cm long, and covered with large, glistening bladder cells that resemble ice crystals<ref>https://pza.sanbi.org/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=14983581</ref>. The flowers are daisy-like, ranging from white to pink to mauve, and are pollinated by insects<ref>https://pza.sanbi.org/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum</ref><ref>https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Plants%20of%20Upper%20Newport%20Bay%20(Robert%20De%20Ruff)/Alliaceae/Aizoaceae/Mesembryanthemum%20crystallinum.htm</ref>.
* '''Growing Conditions''': It thrives in a variety of soils, including saline and poor soils, and can tolerate high humidity and temperatures as low as 10°C, though it is sensitive to frost<ref>https://pza.sanbi.org/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=14983581</ref>. The plant is commonly found in disturbed sites like roadsides and coastal areas<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=14983581</ref><ref>https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Plants%20of%20Upper%20Newport%20Bay%20(Robert%20De%20Ruff)/Alliaceae/Aizoaceae/Mesembryanthemum%20crystallinum.htm</ref>.
* '''Lifecycle''': ''M. crystallinum'' germinates with the first rains, grows and flowers from winter to early summer, and can continue flowering into late summer depending on environmental conditions<ref>https://pza.sanbi.org/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum</ref><ref>https://plantright.org/invasive/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum</ref>.

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