Galenia pubescens

Photo: James Bailey

Synonyms: Aizoon pubescens, Galenia spathulata

Common names: coastal Galenia, Galenia, blanket weed, carpet weed, green Galenia

Coastal Galenia (Galenia pubescens; family Aizoaceae) is a perennial, prostrate, mat forming member of the Aizoaceae (iceplant family) native to South Africa. The species was likely introduced to California between the years of 1970-78, by the US Forest Service (and provided to the Los Angeles County Fire Department) when it was grown in nursery conditions (Riverside and Malibu) and out-planted experimentally. In California, coastal Galenia is now naturalized in several sites in southern California. Elsewhere, the species has naturalized in Australia, Chile, and Spain. It can be distinguished procumbent, mat-forming growth habit, gray-green, minutely hairy foliage, obovate to spatulate leaf form, and extensive branching pattern. Locally it has the capacity to form monocultures and displace native plants.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Galenia pubescens Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • GBIF - Global distribution information.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.