- The plant originated in South America. Sailing ships probably brought it to North America in the 1500s, its seeds mixed in with bags of sand used as ballast. Settles cultivated ice plant for food -- boiling it and serving it as a leafy, green side dish. Raw ice plant was a popular garnish of the period.
- Ice plant is a succulent that retains water in its exterior cells. The cells, 2 to 6 inches long, have a frosted appearance that reflects sunlight and gives the plant the appearance of melting ice. As the plant matures, the leaves turn red.
- Ice plant frequently invades grasslands and bluffs near ocean coasts, destroying native species. It deters the movement of sandy soil, which is essential for the growth of most native dune species.