Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Drosanthemum floribundum
Drosanthemum floribundum (Haw.) Schwantes
Familia
AIZOACEAE
Rocío, Rocío rosa, Velo de Magdalena
Drosanthemum floribundum, commonly known as pink dew, drosanthemum or cat’s claw, is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family and native to South Africa.
It is particularly notable for its spectacular, dense spring flowering and its excellent performance as a ground-cover plant in Mediterranean and coastal climates.
It is a creeping, trailing plant that barely exceeds 15 cm in height, but its stems can spread widely, taking root as they touch the ground.
Its leaves are fleshy, cylindrical and light green in colour. They are covered with small papillate glands that glisten in the sun, resembling dewdrops, hence its scientific and common names.
It produces a profusion of bright pink or lilac flowers that completely cover the foliage during spring. The flowers open in the sunlight and close at dusk or on cloudy days.
It requires full sun to thrive and produce spectacular blooms.
As a succulent, it tolerates drought very well. It is crucial to avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.
It adapts to poor, sandy and rocky soils, provided they have excellent drainage.
It withstands high temperatures, wind and sea salt very well, making it ideal for coastal xeriscaping. It does not tolerate severe or prolonged frosts.
It is commonly used to cover slopes, rockeries, walls and areas of the garden that are difficult to access or have limited water availability. It also works perfectly in pots and hanging baskets, where its stems cascade down. In some regions outside its native habitat, its behaviour is monitored due to its potential to become invasive in vulnerable coastal ecosystems.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria
Rocío, Rocío rosa, Velo de Magdalena
Drosanthemum floribundum, commonly known as pink dew, drosanthemum or cat’s claw, is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family and native to South Africa.
It is particularly notable for its spectacular, dense spring flowering and its excellent performance as a ground-cover plant in Mediterranean and coastal climates.
It is a creeping, trailing plant that barely exceeds 15 cm in height, but its stems can spread widely, taking root as they touch the ground.
Its leaves are fleshy, cylindrical and light green in colour. They are covered with small papillate glands that glisten in the sun, resembling dewdrops, hence its scientific and common names.
It produces a profusion of bright pink or lilac flowers that completely cover the foliage during spring. The flowers open in the sunlight and close at dusk or on cloudy days.
It requires full sun to thrive and produce spectacular blooms.
As a succulent, it tolerates drought very well. It is crucial to avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.
It adapts to poor, sandy and rocky soils, provided they have excellent drainage.
It withstands high temperatures, wind and sea salt very well, making it ideal for coastal xeriscaping. It does not tolerate severe or prolonged frosts.
It is commonly used to cover slopes, rockeries, walls and areas of the garden that are difficult to access or have limited water availability. It also works perfectly in pots and hanging baskets, where its stems cascade down. In some regions outside its native habitat, its behaviour is monitored due to its potential to become invasive in vulnerable coastal ecosystems.
Tenerife, Gran Canaria
