New vegetable from abroad

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The Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

RECENTLY I came across a new vegetable at restaurants in Sibu and Kuching, which got me interested in finding out its characteristics if we were to imitate the required growth conditions in our tropical climate.

The vegetable is called Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, imported from temperate-climate countries. Commonly known as ‘ice plant’, it is delicious as a fresh salad with thousand-island dressing. The interesting features are its crunchiness, and that it can be consumed raw. Best on experience, it is best served in cool places such as an air-conditioned restaurant, rather than having it at open-air eateries. Next time, ask for this dish and enjoy it.

Knowing the plant

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a prostrate succulent native to Africa, South America and Australia. It is surrounded by large glistening bladder cells or water vesicles that crystalline droplets – hence ‘crystallinum’ in the name, and also the other moniker, ‘ice plant’.

These globules are actually enlarged epidermal cells meant for reserving water. The plant’s flowers bloom in the morning and continue till late afternoon when they close. Pollinated by insects, the life cycle can be annual or perennial depending on the environmental conditions.

Botanically classified under the Aizoaceae family, the whole plant is also covered with short epidermal hairs – probably for water conservation.

The succulent leaves can be up to 10cm, and the stem up to 50cm trailing along the ground. It can be used for food, as a medicinal ingredient, as a source of soap, and also for desalinisation works on the ground.

In addition, it can be grown as an ornamental plant.

The Mesembryanthemum crystallinum has no known hazards in it at all. In fact, the plant has demulcent (relieving inflammation or irritation) and diuretic properties, used in the treatment of inflammation of the pulmonary and genito-urinary mucous membranes.

The leaves are said to be effective in treating dysentery.

The crushed leaves can be used as a soap substitute, while the sap and extract of this plant are used in cosmetics and skincare.

Growth conditions

The plant can tolerate saline soils or even poor or infertile soils, such as those at former construction sites or even by the roads. Some are grown in maritime sands and salt marshes like those at coastal bluffs, cliffs and ballast dumps.

Such plant should not be expensive, but perhaps the flight and export-import cargo costs have made it expensive once it reaches the restaurant’s table. This has given rise to the idea about the possibility of growing it locally.

In a recent meet with friends, the discussion included new habitats for the plant, such as having it nurtured in an air-conditioned room or even in the highlands.

However, the Japanese have been growing it in hydroponic commercial farms since 2009, where the harvests have been marketed in the United States, Libya, Angola, Namibia, West Asia, Israel and Egypt.

Cultivation details

The Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is easily grown in a well-drained soil, even those with low fertility level, and saline soils – as long as this is done at a sunny location. It is able to replace local native plants by concentrating salt in the leaves and later release it on the surface, thus not allowing other native seeds to germinate.

By using the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathway for photosynthesis that can conserve moisture, the leaves would close the stomata cells during the day, but open to absorb carbon dioxide and store in the malic acid for photosynthesis during the day. This way of photosynthesis is also used in cactus and euphorbia species.

The fact is that this is an exotic plant as far as Sarawak is concerned, and we need to know more about its habitat requirements before we can try to cultivate it here.

Should you have any encounter with this plant, please let us know.

Happy Gardening!