Curio repens

Curio repens (syn. Senecio serpens) is a species of succulent groundcover plant in the genus Curio, in the Asteraceae family. Visually-similar to the ice plants of Mesembryanthemum, or “mesembs” (another endemic genus to the Western Cape Province, South Africa), C. repens is typically found growing in and among rocky crevices and exposed ledges on dry, rubble-strewn sandstone slopes, where drainage is swift and sun exposure and airflow is high. Commonly named blue chalksticks, blue chalk fingers or simply “blue iceplant”, it is frequently used in Mediterranean climate landscaping and as an ornamental plant.

Description
It is a semi-trailing, low-growing dwarf shrub that forms a dense mat that reaches only about 20 cm in height and features silvery-blueish, finger-like fleshy leaves. It produces small and round, pompom-like flowers that may superficially resemble a virus. The flowers appear as off-white from distance, but would have yellow and pink tinges on the stamen up-close. Flowering season is usually between spring and autumn. It was first formally described as Cacalia repens by Carl Linnaeus in 1767.

It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.

Cultivation
Drought tolerant, the plant is used as a ground cover, border plant or in a rock garden. It is grown in sandy, dry to slightly moist soils in sun or some partial shade. It is easily propagated by cuttings.

There is a hybrid of this and Curio talinoides that is known as 'Trident Blue'.