“Vygies” (little figs) are the local name for the succulent family of Mesembryanthemaceae (Aizoaeae). Other common names are ice plants, fig mairgold, mesembs, midday flower. They steal the show with their fabulous display of vibrant colours. Having adapted to conditions of great aridity some of their bizarre designs account for coping with lack of water and high temperatures. The metallic sheen of their petals adds to their richness of colour by reflecting the rays of the sun to deflect it’s heat. Amazing too is their diversity showing up in 127 genera and about 1700 species.
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Nature on the Edge 
Lovely with all the colours. A really nice flower.
Thanks Lena. There’re about 1700 different species! Isn’t that a thought for variation on a theme?
Yes it is!
Gorgeous!
Thanks for dropping by Megan. Last time I checked in on your side, you were chasing leopard in India? Will head over to your site and have a catch up. Nice to see you here 🙂
My grandmother loved Ice plants so they’ve always had a place in my heart.
I like that Gilly – a Grandmother’s special influence 🙂
I know them as ice plants too, we had rock walls edging the garden and driveway and they would cascade down and be a riot of colour in summer. I like the ones with the pale centers.
Amazing how they have adapted to colder, wetter climates. Nice think of them cascading down wall down there in NZ 🙂
Our winters are wet but our summers can be quite hot – its 30 deg C here today!
Absolutely gorgeous gallery, Liz!
Thanks Dina. They can certainly add colour to a drab desert landscape 🙂
Liz, these images are so stunning.
Thanks! I love flowers, nature’s superb rendition of artworks 🙂
Mesembryanthemums used to be common bedding plants here in the UK though you don’t see them as often now. Your collection is gorgeous, ‘jewel’ plant is much more apt than ‘ice’ plant – and seeing them in the wild in South Africa is quite an experience.
Interesting that they adapt to a wetter climate over there, Jude. I agree with that thought -” jewels” so apt. The lithops (stoneplants) are my favourite … all to do with those Knersvlakte near Nieuwoudtville. So many variations too.
They only survive as summer annuals and I don’t think lithops would survive outside a greenhouse apart from possibly Cornwall.
Stunningly beautiful!!
Thanks Amy, nature’s show sure exhilarates. 🙂
What a fine sight on a winter night in Canada.
Glad to brighten it up 🙂 How’s the winter hibernation going?
We’ve had a strange and mild winter and today the temp shot up to 7 Celcius and the Rideau Canal is a long puddle when normally we’re all skating at the annual winter festival. I feel bad for the poor tourists who came for “Winterlude” and got “Waterlude” instead.
I think you’ve provided the most colourful of all for this challenge, Liz! Absolutely beautiful photographs!
Lovely comment – and aren’t we lucky to have theselittle treasures!
Gorgeous shots, Liz! 🙂
Thanks Jane … in’t nature a stunning exhibitionist wreathing in showy flower forms 🙂
Nice shots, Liz !
Amazing! And, that is quite a variety
They’re gorgeous, Liz!
Truly vibrant!
Very beautiful!