🌿 Identification Guide

How to Identify Aizoaceae

206 species · Plantae · Order Caryophyllales

Aizoaceae is a plant family in the Plantae kingdom, order Caryophyllales, class Magnoliopsida. The family contains 206 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

Drosanthemum lavisii can be identified by its recurved, hooked (uncinate) leaf-tips; this trait is especially prominent on new leaves, and is also found in D.
It can also be distinguished by the rough base of its calyx, which has 9 to 13 bladder cells along each ridge, a characteristic it shares with D.
This species is closely related to Malephora crocea, and the two can be distinguished by the color of the lower surface of their petals: M.

For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.

Representative Aizoaceae Species

Drosanthemum lavisii L.Bolus

Drosanthemum lavisii is an endangered endemic succulent shrub from South Africa'…

Ruschia leptocalyx L.Bolus

Ruschia leptocalyx L.Bolus is a slender branching shrub found in Renosterveld in…

Braunsia apiculata (Kensit) L.Bolus

Braunsia apiculata is a South African native perennial succulent subshrub with s…

Trichodiadema calvatum L.Bolus

Trichodiadema calvatum L.Bolus is a small erect plant with distinct traits that …

Malephora purpureocrocea (Haw.) Schwantes

Malephora purpureocrocea is a South African Aizoaceae species distinguished by p…

Conophytum calculus (Berger) N.E.Br.

Conophytum calculus is a long-lived pebble-like succulent from southern Africa, …

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, or ice plant, is a succulent halophyte native to …

Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br.

Conophytum obcordellum is a small South African succulent, widely grown as an or…

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium L.fil.

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is a low-growing South African succulent ornamental…

Pleiospilos compactus (Aiton) Schwantes

Pleiospilos compactus, the living rock, is a succulent flowering plant native to…

Fenestraria rhopalophylla (Schltr. & Diels) N.E.Br.

Fenestraria rhopalophylla is a succulent with windowed leaf tips, native to sand…

Oophytum nanum (Schltr.) L.Bolus

Browse all 206 Aizoaceae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Aizoaceae?

Aizoaceae plants belong to the Caryophyllales order in the Plantae kingdom. Drosanthemum lavisii can be identified by its recurved, hooked (uncinate) leaf-tips; this trait is especially prominent on new leaves, and is also found in D. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Aizoaceae?

Aizoaceae is classified in the order Caryophyllales, class Magnoliopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. It can also be distinguished by the rough base of its calyx, which has 9 to 13 bladder cells along each ridge, a characteristic it shares with D.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer