Stained glass yerba (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum)

small yellow flowers with thin, elongated petals

El Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a flowering plant more commonly known by the following vernacular names: cosco, coco, or fine rod (Lanzarote). In the Canary Islands, it is particularly known by the name of cofe-cofe or yerba vidriera.

But what do you mean nodiflorum? How is this variety different from others of the same genus? This word means and according to the etymology of the word, a knotty flower, for which it evidently refers to the flowers present in the nodes of its stems, which appear mainly from February to July.

Characteristics of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

small yellow flowers with thin, elongated petals

This plant shows green leaves early in life and purple when mature. Another defining characteristic is their papillae. Its flowers, approximately one centimeter in diameter, are solitary and white, with uneven and papilous sepals and yellow or white petals. It also has yellow anthers.

They are succulent plants, with fleshy leaves. It is common for a cushion of these plants to form on bare soil affected by sea salt, since they are often found in the vicinity of groups of seagulls and are adapted to living in warm areas and grows in saline soils.

From

All varieties of the  Mesembryanthemum They are plants that can be characterized as perennial, annual or biannual and whose origin is found in southern Africa and different regions of Asia and Europe. The Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum in particular is native to both the African continent and the Spanish coasts such as the island of Alboran and the Canary Islands.

Uses

Its uses are varied and very useful, since it is used as a way to obtain soda and from its seeds it was used to extract (more specifically, the original peoples of Canaria did) the gofio (food made from non-sifted flour). Currently it is also used as an ornamental plant.

Cultivation and care

Although they are delicate plants, they do not present major drawbacks as long as they are offered a place where direct sun hits them. These plants can even withstand droughts that would kill other types of flowers. In summer they should be watered only twice a week and it even becomes easier the rest of the year and they should only receive water every ten or fifteen days approximately.

You have to be careful with the fertilizer, this being optional. If you decide to use it, it is recommended to fertilize every 15 days with fertilizer for cacti and succulents since otherwise they can become invasive.

Reasons why you should buy succulents

Except for some particular case, succulent plants are inexpensive and reproduce easily, so you can have several specimens in a short time if that is what you want.

In addition and taking up little space, they are ideal for decorating and embellishing apartment balconies or for small gardens. Their little need for irrigation makes them very opportune options for forgetful people or people with little free time in the middle of the whirlpool of their daily life.

While the benefits of succulents outweigh their disadvantages, we list some of the latter to give you the most complete picture possible. If you live in very cold areas, you will have difficulties growing succulents. You should also take care that they do not burn.

Plagues and diseases

daisy-like flowers emerging from a kind of cactus

Our plants always need us to offer them protection and take care of their well-being, even when the plants Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum and in general, they are highly resistant to pests and diseases. However, we cannot abandon them.

You need to be very careful with mollusks (snails and slugs) and fungi. These last unwanted visitors appear when you water too much and the leaves get wet (it is recommended that they always remain dry).

It is valid to remember that when we speak of diatomaceous earth we refer to a siliceous mineral made up of fossilized microscopic algae.  This type of soil penetrates the body of the snail or slug and kills it by dehydration. It comes in the form of a fine powder and a dose of approximately 30 grams per liter of water is recommended, that is, it must be dissolved in the shower.


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