The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday 28 January 2016

FFF219 - BABY SUN ROSE

Aptenia cordifolia is a species of succulent plant in the Aizoaceae (iceplant) family known by the common names heartleaf iceplant and baby sun rose. Perhaps the most common plant seen under this name is actually Aptenia 'Red Apple', a hybrid with red flowers and bright green leaves, whose parents are A. cordifolia and A. (Platythyra) haeckeliana. The true species of A. cordifolia has magenta purple flowers and more heart-shaped, mid-green, textured leaves.

Native to southern Africa, this species has become widely known as a hardy ornamental plant. This is a mat-forming perennial herb growing in flat clumps on the ground from a woody base. Stems reach up to about 60 centimeters long. The bright green leaves are generally heart-shaped and up to 3 centimeters long. They are covered in very fine bumps. Bright pink to purplish flowers appear in the leaf axils and are open during the day. The fruit is a capsule just over a centimetre long.

The hybrid, Aptenia 'Red Apple', has, in some areas, escaped cultivation and now grows as an introduced species. Its far more vigorous growth and ability to root from small bits of stem makes it a poor choice for planting adjacent to wild lands as it can prove to be quite invasive and can become weedy.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so.
If you take part in the meme, please show an active link back to this site on your own blog post!


14 comments:

  1. They certainly are hardy! And very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. once again, a new one for me

    ReplyDelete
  3. This little flower is so cheerful! Have seen it several times her in a border of flowers - have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brightly beautiful color combination! Thank you so fairy much for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a stunning color, dear Nick!
    Have a happy weekend ... Frauke

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a nice ground-cover plant, Nick. I like this pretty pink so much!
    Have a nice weekend - maybe in pink ;)) Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful capture and nice learning about this species! Love the shapes of the leaves

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful photo of your ice plant Frauke. They have very pretty red blooms :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Interesting history. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heisann! Have a nice weekend ;:OD)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love these gorgeous little flowers very much. I've seen this one in some gardens at the Canary Island Fuerteventura and they looks so color- and brightful!! Thanks a lot for your lovely post, Nick.

    Wish you a very happy and creative February.

    xo, isabella

    ReplyDelete
  12. Baby sun rose is the perfect name for this little pink beauty.
    Thank you for sharing.
    I'm a bit late for Friday Flowers, Nick, but perhaps ist's a Monday Flower ?

    ReplyDelete