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 potted plants. Drosanthemum is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family native to the winter-rainfall regions of southern Africa. Most species bear colourful flowers. The name Drosanthemum means Dew-flower in Greek, and refers to the characteristic shiny translucent papillae, which cover the succulent leaves and flower buds. There are over 110 species of Drosanthemum found in the arid areas of South Africa and neighbouring Namibia. The Drosanthemum genus is perhaps the most popular and spectacular of all garden mesembs. Few other plants can match the glowing intensity of a stand of these mesembs in full flower.

Drosanthemum floribundum is a South African endemic perennial plant found naturally growing exclusively along the coast of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It produces dazzling metallic purple flowers in spring each year. It is a low-growing, ground-hugging plant with small, stubby, light green, succulent leaves. It is drought tolerant and makes an ideal plant for water wise gardeners, particularly those living in climates with hot dry summers. The typical mesemb flowers usually open about midday and close in the evenings. On dull, cool days they remain closed.