Delosperma rileyi

Delosperma rileyi is a spreading, low-growing or groundcover type vygie or mesemb. The succulent, light green leaves form a dense mat. They are slightly flattened and curving back with pointed tips. The flowers are small and shiny white, the sparse ring of delicate, narrow petals slightly spoon-shaped.

Many delospermas flower in spring or summer. This one was caught in November without flowers, except the recently died-off remains of just one.

D. rileyi appears not to have been much cultivated or specially investigated. Its habitat is rocky savannah in Sekhukhuneland in Mpumalanga. This area lies on the almost straight line from the Cape Peninsula to the Arabian Peninsula along which most of the more than 160 species of Delosperma grow in nature (Smith, et al, 1998).