Origin and Habitat: Cape Province (Distr Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal, between Olifantsrivier and Bocklandsberg). S outh Africa
Habitat and ecology: Desert Karroo. Mesembryanthemum digitatumSN|33871]]SN|33871]] is another mimicry plant belonging to the Aizoaceae group, that grows in winter rain-fall areas. It is a very succulent plant forming dense mats on shale covered with quartz pebble near salt pans in the Knersvlakte.

• Mesembryanthemum digitatum Aiton
• Dactylopsis digitata (Aiton) N.E.Br.
• Phyllobolus digitatus (Aiton) Gerbaulet

• Mesembryanthemum digitatum Aiton
• Dactylopsis digitata (Aiton) N.E.Br.
• Phyllobolus digitatus (Aiton) Gerbaulet
• Mesembryanthemum digitiforme Thunb.
• Gibbaeum digitiforme (Thunb.) N.E.Br. ex Range

• Mesembryanthemum digitatum subs. littlewoodii (L. Bolus) Klak
• Dactylopsis digitata subs. littlewoodii (L. Bolus) Klak
• Dactylopsis littlewoodii L. Bolus
• Phyllobolus digitatus subs. littlewoodii (L. Bolus) Gerbaulet

Description: Mesembryanthemum digitatumSN|33871]]SN|33871]] also known as Dactylopsis digitataSN|33873]]SN|33873]], or Phyllobolus digitatusSN|33872]]SN|33872]] is a strange stemless or nearly so species, with its fat body looking like a thumb in a glove. It differs from all other mesembs by the thick, finger-shaped, cylindrical, soft, grey-green, waxy leaves up to 10 cm long, which emerge from the sheath of the next-oldest leaf and pointing at odd angles. The sessile, 'bottlebrush' flowers are white and appear singly. During the dry period the leaves completely shrivel.
Derivation of specific name: Dactylopsis digitataSN|33873]]SN|33873]], another mimicry plant belonging to the Aizoaceae group, has been named for the succulent finger-like leaves this plant has.
Stems: Old stem decumbent, brown.
Root; Fasciculate.
Leaves: Alternate, 5-10 cm long (or even longer after ample rains), broad at the base, terete, finger-shaped, almost tubular, obtuse, pointing at odd angles (angle between "finger and thumb < 90°), fleshy, greyish-green, smooth, and soft. Bladder cells (water vesicles) exceedingly flattened and thus virtually absent.
Flowers: Small (10-20 mm Ø), sessile or subsessile, remaining open day and night, white appearing near the growing-point. Calyx 5-cleft, lobes obtuse. Petals linear, white to cream, filamentous staminodes absent, reproductive parts concealed.
Blooming season: The flowers appear near the tip of the leaves in late winter.
Fruits: Valve wings reflexed and fused in pairs, 5 locules.
Seeds: narrowly ovate to elliptical, light brown, testa smooth, without a crest.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) W. Sonder “Flora Capensis”, Vol 2, 1894
2) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
3) Veldtrust, National Veld Trust., 1962
4) The Cactus and Succulent Journal of Great Britain, Volume 39 Cactus & Succulent Society of Great Britain., 1977
5) Clive Innes “Complete Handbook of Cacti and Succulents” Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 01 December 1981
6) Ed Storms “Growing the Mesembs” Tarrant Printing, 1976
7) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002

Cultivation and Propagation: Mesembryanthemum digitatumSN|33871]]SN|33871]] (Dactylopsis digitataSN|33873]]SN|33873]], or Phyllobolus digitatusSN|33872]]SN|33872]]) is a rare and difficult species to grow; it requires a sunny location and in the summer requires complete rest. The thick fingerlike leaves dry up at this time, protecting the new leaves forming within. Even during the winter months water should be sparse, but when in active growth the plant needs to be quite moist all the time otherwise it flops. However is difficult to define actual growing periods because the plants of this species have the awkward habit of growing at different times (opportunistic growers). A much higher temperature is required for this species as flowering season is winter.
Soil: This species grows equally well in the regular Mesemb mix and in the same mix plus a feeding of table salt.