White flower of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 1, 2010Cryophytum cleistum, Cryophytum gibbosum, Cryophytum nodiflorum, Cryophytum rogersii, Gasoul nodiflorum, Mesembryanthemum caducum, Mesembryanthemum copticum, Mesembryanthemum inornatum, Mesembryanthemum paucandrum, Psilocaulon caducum, Stigmatocarpon caducum, Stigmatocarpum copticum
Egyptian Fig Marigold, ghasoul, hurr, slenderleaf ice plant
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a species of succulent plant in the ice plant family known by the common name slenderleaf ice plant. It is native to southern Africa, but it is known in many other places as an introduced species and sometimes an invasive weed, including several regions of Australia, parts of the western United States and adjacent Mexico, and some Atlantic islands. This is a usually annual herb forming a mostly prostrate clump or mat of stems up to about 20 centimeters in maximum length. The small stem branches are lined with knob-like cylindrical fleshy leaves up to 2 centimeters long. The herbage is green to bright red and visibly bumpy with shiny, bubble-like papillae. Flowers are solitary or borne in loose clusters. Each is about half a centimeter wide with many narrow to thready white or pale yellow petals. The fruit is a capsule which opens when it becomes wet, releasing seeds.
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is an annual succulent plant that grows up to 30 cm tall. It has fleshy leaves and produces small white or yellowish flowers. In Qatar, it has been found growing in sandy areas and along roadsides, particularly during the winter months when rainfall is more frequent. The plant thrives in well-drained soils and full sun.
White flower of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 1, 2010
Blooming Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 1, 2010
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) in dunes of Jazirat Umm Tays, barrier island at northern tip of Qatar, east from Ruwais, March 24, 2012
Small flower of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) in sands of Jazirat Umm Tays, barrier island at northern tip of Qatar, east from Ruwais, March 24, 2012
Prostrate clump (mat) of stems of slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) on a hill north-west from oil tank installation in Haloul Island (Jazirat Halul). Qatar, April 19, 2013
Mats of slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) among rocks on a hill north-west from oil tank installation in Haloul Island (Jazirat Halul). Qatar, April 19, 2013
Reddish mats of slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) on a hill north-west from oil tank installation in Haloul Island (Jazirat Halul). Qatar, April 19, 2013
Knob-like cylindrical fleshy leaves of slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) on a hill north-west from oil tank installation in Haloul Island (Jazirat Halul). Qatar, April 19, 2013
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Small plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Blooming Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Many-flowered Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis multisiliquosa(?), local name Qileiqlan) together with Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Blooming Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) growing in silt in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Yellow plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) growing in silt in abandoned farms in Ras Laffan. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) growing in silt in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Tiny plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) growing in silt in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Green plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) growing in silt in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Brown plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) growing in silt in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Brown blooming plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) growing in silt in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) growing on ruins of farms in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Close up of flowers of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum(?)) in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, February 28, 2014
Reddish plant of slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) with a flower on Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 7, 2014
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) near Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, April 3, 2014
Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) near a road to Zubara in area of Al Magdah farms in northern Qatar, May 2, 2014
Seedlings of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) near Al Khor Hospital. Qatar, December 13, 2014
Young plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) near Al Khor Hospital. Qatar, January 9, 2015
Seedling of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum)(?) near Al Khor Hospital. Qatar, January 9, 2015
Seedlings of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) near Al Khor Hospital. Qatar, January 30, 2015
Seedling of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) on a roadside east from Al Jebail water treatment plant. Al Khor, Qatar, January 23, 2016
Seedling of Egyptian fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) on rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, January 29, 2016
Colorful seedlings of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in area of Ras Laffan Farms, on north-eastern coast. Qatar, February 12, 2016
Young plant of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) grown on limestone on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 12, 2016
Seedling of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) growing on limestone on a rocky ridge of Jebel Fuwairit. Northern Qatar, March 12, 2016
Carpet of blooming Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in area of Ras Laffan farms. Northern Qatar, March 12, 2016
Carpet of blooming Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in a roadside depression east from Al Jebail water treatment plant. Al Khor, Qatar, March 19, 2016
Reddish plants of Egyptian fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, local name Ghasoul) grown on a hill slope after spring rains on Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, April 2, 2016
Masses of Egyptian Fig-marigold (slenderleaf ice plant, Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in area of Ras Laffan Farms. Northern Qatar, April 16, 2016The observations document the growth and presence of Egyptian Fig-marigold (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) in various locations in Qatar, including Ras Laffan Farms, Al Khor, and Purple Island. The plant was observed growing in different conditions, such as on limestone, rocky ridges, and roadside depressions. Seedlings were spotted near hospitals, water treatment plants, and on hillslopes after spring rains. The plant's growth was noted to be prolific, with masses of reddish plants covering large areas. Observations took place over several years, from 2014 to 2016, during different times of the year, including winter, spring, and summer. Overall, the observations suggest that Egyptian Fig-marigold is a common and widespread species in Qatar, able to thrive in a variety of environments. Its colorful blooms were particularly notable in areas with recent rainfall.
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