Mesembryanthemum is a genus that includes various species of succulent plants, belonging to the Aizoaceae family, native to southern Africa. It is a very hardy plant, with fleshy, water-storing leaves and brightly colored daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, fuchsia, orange, yellow, and white. It is often used as a ground cover, both in open soil and in pots, due to its ability to spread quickly and withstand harsh conditions. Some varieties are known as “ice plants”, because the surface of the leaves appears to be covered in tiny sparkling crystals.