ice plant

American  

noun

1. a plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, native to the Mediterranean region, having fleshy leaves that are covered with glistening vesicles and are sometimes eaten as greens.

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ice plant British  

noun

1. a low-growing plant, Mesembryanthemum (or Cryophytum ) crystallinum, of southern Africa, with fleshy leaves covered with icelike hairs and pink or white rayed flowers: family Aizoaceae

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Etymology

Origin of ice plant

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

They also had to acquire a permit to put the ice plant on a sidewalk alongside South Royal Brougham Way in order to run the ice pipes in through the concourse and the bullpen.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2023

Trying to find natural solutions, the Coast Guard planted two species of ice plant —crystalline and red-flowered — across Anacapa to control the new erosion problem.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2023

Adaptive reuse is the architectural term of art to describe what Adjaye has done with the ice plant.

From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2023

That was when Viktor Hovland heaved his drive right at Pebble Beach, down the cliffs and into ice plant.

From Golf Digest • Aug. 19, 2018

Adam began to visit the ice plant, and pretty soon he was taking his little cups to the freezing chambers.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck