Aizoon canariense aka Purple Leaved Aizoon

Aizoon canariense is a low succulent in the Aizoaceae family. Its common name is purslane-leaved aizoon. Its native range spans dry parts of Africa and nearby islands. These include the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. It also grows from Arabia east to Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Wild plants occupy desert sands, gravel plains, rocky ground and roadsides. They grow in both salty and salt-free sites.

This plant lives as an annual or short-lived perennial. It often stands just a few inches tall. Some plants reach 1.3 feet (0.4 metres). Thick, tough stems spread along the ground from the base. Main branches measure about 0.16–0.98 feet (0.05–0.30 metres), sometimes longer. The crown can become woody, while fine hairs cover the shoots. Alternate leaves lie close to the ground. Their shapes range from rounded to spoon-shaped, with smooth, curled edges. Hair cover and leaf size vary between plants. Shallow roots and water-storing tissues help it endure dry spells.

Small flowers sit without stalks in leaf axils and branch forks. Each flower has both male and female parts but lacks petals. The sepals look yellow within and green or reddish outside. Bloom dates depend on the region. Plants flower from January to June in the United Arab Emirates. In Pakistan, they bloom from September to November. The woody capsule has a sunken centre and star-shaped top. It is often pink or red and can persist after death. Rain spreads the many shiny, black, kidney-shaped seeds. Plants can dry out soon after setting seed.

In gardens, this species can form a small ground cover. It spreads over time through seed, its means of propagation. Give it full sun and soil that drains well. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils across a broad pH range. It also tolerates salt and strong drought. More light and enough water improve its appearance. LLIFLE reports brief overnight cold tolerance near 27°F (−3°C). Its quoted lower extreme is 14°F (−10°C), so cold tolerance remains uncertain.

People sometimes gather the wild herb for food. Reports describe leaves as a famine food, without preparation details. The sources list no known hazards, but do not establish pet safety. They list no medicinal or other uses. The supplied accounts identify no specific pests or diseases.