Mesembs is a common popular term used for succulent members of the family Aizoaceae, which are often placed in a separate family of their own, Mesembryanthemaceae. They are sometimes also referred to as vygies, fig-marigolds, ice plants, midday flowers, living stones or flowering stones. They display remarkable variation in leaf architecture, flower colour and form as well as fruit structure. Therefore these plants fascinate many plant lovers of all ages and have become popular amongst collectors of succulent plants. They make excellent pot plants. Delosperma is a genus of around 100 species of succulent plants common in southern and eastern Africa. Delosperma species, as do most Aizoaceae, have hygrochastic capsules, opening and closing as they wet and dry. Most of the species are subshrubs or of a trailing habit. This genus also boasts the most frost resistant mesembs, Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma nubigenum. They are cold hardy and will survive -17°C or even less. In ethnobotany analyses have indicated that many Delosperma sp. contains quite substantial amounts of the psychoactive compounds DMT and N-methyltryptamine in the leaves and branches.

Delosperma brunthaleri, commonly known as Hardy Ice Plant, is a South African endemic mat-forming leaf succulent found growing in the Uitenhage are of the Eastern Cape province. Delosperma brunnthaleri is a robust, hardy species that forms beautiful cushions. It does best in sandy well-drained soil. Great for rock gardens, ground cover with thick succulent leaves, pinkish-purple flowers, full sun, attractive to butterflies, great choice for hot dry areas. It is suited for green roofs.