Galenia

Aizoon pubescens, commonly known as yellow carpet, is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family. It is native to South Africa and is known for its low-growing, mat-forming habit and distinctive yellow flowers. Here's a detailed description:

Botanical Description:

Growth Habit:
- Yellow carpet is a low-growing, spreading succulent plant that forms dense mats.
Leaves:
- The leaves are small, fleshy, and cylindrical. They are often covered with fine hairs or pubescence, which gives the plant its specific epithet "pubescens."
Stems:
- The stems are prostrate and can root at nodes, contributing to the plant's mat-forming habit.
Flowers:
- The flowers are typically yellow, daisy-like, and have numerous petals. They appear in clusters and create a carpet-like effect, giving the plant its common name.
Blooming Period:
- Yellow carpet is known for its prolific blooming, and the flowers may appear throughout the growing season.

Identification Tips:

Low-Growing Habit:
- Yellow carpet forms dense, low mats close to the ground.
Small Cylindrical Leaves:
- The leaves are small, cylindrical, and often covered with fine hairs.
Yellow Daisy-Like Flowers:
- The bright yellow flowers, arranged in clusters, are a distinctive feature.

Habitat:

Distribution:
- Native to South Africa.
Habitat:
- Typically found in rocky or sandy substrates, often in arid or semi-arid environments.

Cultivation:

Suitable for Rock Gardens:
- Yellow carpet is often cultivated in rock gardens and container gardens due to its low-growing and mat-forming habit.
Drought-Tolerant:
- Being a succulent, it is adapted to dry conditions and is drought-tolerant.

Uses:

Ornamental:
- Yellow carpet is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its attractive, ground-covering habit and bright yellow flowers.

Succulent Adaptations:

Water Storage:
- Like many succulents, Yellow carpet stores water in its fleshy leaves, allowing it to withstand periods of drought.