mesembryanthemum

American  

[muh-zem-bree-an-thuh-muhm] / məˌzɛm briˈæn θə məm /

noun

1. any of various chiefly Old World plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, having thick, fleshy leaves and often showy flowers.

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mesembryanthemum British  

/ mɪzˌɛmbrɪˈænθɪməm /

noun

1. any plant of a South African genus ( Mesembryanthemum ) of succulent-leaved prostrate or erect plants widely grown in gardens and greenhouses: family Aizoaceae See fig marigold ice plant Livingstone daisy

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Etymology

Origin of mesembryanthemum

< New Latin (Linnaeus), irregular < Greek mesēmbrí ( a ) midday + ánthemon flower

Example Sentences

There was little, if any grass to be seen; but the mesembryanthemum reappeared upon it, with other salsolaceous plants.

From Expedition into Central Australia by Sturt, Charles

One of the most common among the many varieties of sea-anemones is the Actinia mesembryanthemum.

From Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various

The Actinia mesembryanthemum is a very long-lived creature, and certain specimens are reported to have lived over twenty years in aquaria in England.

From Harper's Young People, April 13, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various

Our sheep nibbled at the mesembryanthemum, and the cattle ate greedily of various bushes whereof the leaf was sensibly salt to the taste.

From Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia by Mitchell, Thomas

We were immensely excited," she says, "by the discovery of this little red mesembryanthemum.

From Lives of Girls Who Became Famous by Bolton, Sarah Knowles