Delosperma cooperi en California 2025

A pesar de la creencia de que la Planta de Hielo es nativa de California, en realidad fue traída desde África buscada sólo a principios de 1900 y fue plantada primero a lo largo de los ferrocarriles y más tarde también carreteras para la estabilización del suelo

La planta de hielo es una planta bastante agresiva e invasiva que cubre rápidamente vastas áreas. Pero también hay un lado literalmente bueno en ello. La planta tiene hermosas flores rosas y florece tan densamente que parece una alfombra rosa en la temporada alta. La costa rocosa enmarcada por el océano azul se cubre de manchas rosadas. En mayo, durante la temporada alta, lugares como Pacific Grove, especialmente el Lover's Point Park, son definitivamente dignos de visita

Despite its ability to thrive in California and its visually appealing appearance, the Ice Plant poses significant ecological challenges as an invasive species. Originally native to South Africa, it was introduced to California in the early 20th century to stabilize soil along railroad tracks and highways. Over time, it spread extensively into dune ecosystems, where its dominance often eliminates the presence of native plant species. In areas where diverse plant communities once thrived, the Ice Plant frequently forms monocultures, significantly reducing biodiversity and threatening native species that depend on these habitats.

Even though the Ice Plant is quite an aggressive and invasive plant that quickly covers vast areas, there's also a bright side to it. The plant has beautiful pink flowers and it blooms so densely that it looks like a pink carpet in the peak season.

Ice plants spread rapidly and have become invasive along the coastal areas of California, from Humboldt County in the north to Baja California in the south. It blooms abundantly along the coastline of Pacific Grove, particularly at Lover's Point Park, offering a vivid pink carpet view. Other notable locations to observe the Ice Plant bloom include Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay, and San Jose, which are well-known for showcasing this phenomenon annually.

Ice plants typically bloom between April and October, with May being the peak month to observe their full display in California. During this period, the plants are covered with vibrant pink flowers, offering a striking contrast against the rocky coastline and the blue ocean.