Cheiridopsis denticulata aka Carpet Weed

Cheiridopsis denticulata is a low succulent in the Aizoaceae family. Gardeners also call it goat's horns or victory plant. It grows in South Africa and southern Namibia. LLIFLE places it in Namaqualand and the Richtersveld, north to Lüderitz. Kew lists its native range as Western Cape. It grows on sandy flats and in dry riverbeds. Much of its habitat gets winter rain and hot, dry summers.

This evergreen perennial forms a dense, low cushion. It reaches about 0.33 feet [0.1 m] tall. Garden clumps spread 0.33–1.64 feet [0.1–0.5 m] across. LLIFLE describes a spread near 0.98 feet [0.3 m]. Short branches sit close to the ground. Thick, narrow leaves form upright pairs with partly joined bases. Their colour ranges from grey-white to blue-green. Some leaves bear a few blunt teeth along the keel. Their pointed tips have a triangular cross-section. Dry conditions make the leaf surface more wrinkled.

The daisy-like flowers span up to 0.26 feet [0.08 m]. Cream and pale yellow are among their colours. Flowers may also be orange, white, or stronger yellow. Some have red or violet tips and outer surfaces. They open in the afternoon, and bees pollinate them. LLIFLE reports late-winter bloom, while RHS reports summer flowers. Dry seed capsules open when rain wets them. They hold small, smooth seeds that range from whitish to brown.

Grow this plant in full sun with low humidity. RHS recommends growing it under glass in sand, loam, and leaf mould. The mix must drain well to limit root rot. Water lightly during growth and keep it dry while resting. LLIFLE places stronger growth in spring and autumn. In summer, older leaves shrink around the new leaf pair. The plant stays leafy rather than dying back underground. Too much water can split the skin and leave scars. RHS rates it H2, so protection from freezing is prudent. LLIFLE reports survival to −5°C only when the soil stays dry.

Its low clumps suit pots and sheltered patio displays. RHS gives two to five years to reach mature size. It needs no routine pruning. Grow new plants from seeds or stem cuttings. RHS reports few disease problems, though mealybugs may attack it. LLIFLE warns that poor drainage can lead to root rot. The supplied sources give no evidence about food use or toxicity.