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

See Examples For:

mesembryanthemum

Spinifex and a new species of mesembryanthemum, with light pink flowers on a slender stalk, were the only plants growing in that wilderness, if I except a few withered acacia trees about four feet high.

From Expedition into Central Australia by Sturt, Charles

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

"Chewing mesembryanthemum" was one of Trafford's favourite images,—no doubt the reader knows that abundant fleshy Mediterranean weed and the weakly unpleasant wateriness of its substance.

From Marriage by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

There was also a species of sida or Indian mallow, a sort of purslain, and another small plant, that seemed, from its leaves, a mesembryanthemum, with two species of grass.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 16 by Kerr, Robert

The pass was too high for the aloe and mesembryanthemum to flourish, and the lava-bed which floored it was yet too new to have clothed itself in any of the larger mountain-loving trees.

From In the Morning of Time by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir