Baby Sunrose

Aptenia cordifolia (L. f.) Schwant.

ap-TEEN-ee-ah cord-ah-FOAL-ee-ah

Aizoaceae

Explanation of name: Aptenia means without wings (on thefruit).  Cordifolia means heart-shaped leaf.

Natural range:  South Africa

Recognition: Small semi-succulent trailing-spreading plants having heart-shaped leaves and with showy rose-colored (or white) flowers having dozens of long, narrow petals, resembling an Aster at superficial glance

Landscape uses: Bright-flowered, sun-loving, low-statured, trailing desert plant.  Propagates quickly from cuttings.  An arid-region plant, water only when thoroughly dry. Can be aggressive and take over large areas. Escaped from cultivation in Florida and elsewhere

Internet sources: http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week066.shtml

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Aizoaceae/Aptenia_cordifolia.html