Insect eggs of some kind?

No, not insect eggs. I’ve seen this plant, too, growing at Fiesta Island in San Diego growing in the absolute WORST dirt you could possibly imagine - VERY hard packed, dry clay stuff. You’d need a chisel to dig anything up.

I’ve often wondered what it was. I’m pretty sure it’s some kind of succulent. They edges get a very hot pick and they look wet and glittery from that substance on the surface of the leaves. They get little yellowish white flowers.

The plants seem to disappear in the cold winter months and you would never even suspect anything grew there at all. They magically reappear once it gets warm and are just now starting their hot pink glittery show.

I’ll try to get some pictures next time I’m there.

Tyler

Most likely a mesemb. Whatever it is...its not in decent enough condition to ID....

Hey, I Googled “Fiesta Island plants” and there actually is a cataloguing of flora & fauna. I’m pretty sure this is it https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/13925

Here’s the whole page

https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/99941-Fiesta-Island-Check-List?page=3

Here’s another link

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/49319-Mesembryanthemum-crystallinum/browse_photos

Thank you Stewart. I believe that is the plant.

This has been a really interesting post. That's one strange looking plant. I can't imagine eating it, but there you go. Live and learn something every day in the C&S world...........Maryl

But do you really want to eat something that can be used as soap?

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/1767204/the-original-ice-plant#n=2

Paul, prob not but it’s good to know that I could if I had to!

Paul, a food you can use to wash your mouth out: what could be more handy? ;-)

Good thing my mother didn't live near the beach in Cal. when I was growing up. If I said a "bad" word she'd go out and get her some Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum and tell me to "eat this". The fact that she could even pronounce the punishment would be scary enough...........Maryl

I've seen this plant growing in Gran Canaria, and wondered what it was. I took photos of it for reference - here's one. Thanks, SoCal Stewart, for the ID!