Fleshy leaves, long woody stems

by Stefan
(London, UK)

Hello,

I'd be grateful if you could help me identify this plant which I photographed hanging down from a balcony in London. It was at least two metres long, with bright green fleshy leaves and brownish woody long stems.

It was in a bright south-facing balcony, and I have also seen it on my holidays in Spain and Gibraltar. I would want to have it identified so I can buy one for myself:).

Thanks,
Stefan

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Oct 09, 2017

The difference...
by: Jacki

The way to tell will be the shape of the leaves - Portulaca are generally round, Carpobrotus are triangular. Here's a page on Carpobrotus.

Oct 09, 2017

Thanks
by: Stefan

Dear Jacki,

Thanks very much for your quick response.
I have found your website very interesting and will be recommending it to my friends.

Regarding the plant in question, I did further research on the web and I think I might have identified it as Carpobrotus edulis.

The descriptions in the links below match the plant exactly. I have never seen the plant bloom, but apparently it does, with yellow/purple flowers

https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_277l_carpobrotus_edulis_seeds

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpobrotus_edulis

Best regards,
Stefan

Oct 09, 2017

Portulaca
by: Jacki

Without seeing the flowers on this one, it's hard to pin it down. I'm thinking Portulaca just because of the leaves. The flowers will be usually pink or orange, sometimes in a cup shape, sometimes like a daisy. The reason they're grown for sale as hanging basket plants is that they're so drought tolerant and easy to grow.

There are lots of sources for them; many garden centers will produce them in cell packs as bedding plants (super cheap option) and they're also easy to grow from seed (even cheaper). If you have a greenhouse or lights in your basement, go with option two.

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