About

Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, sea fig, Hottentot fig, and clawberry is a genus of ground-creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name comes from the Ancient Greek karpos "fruit" and brotos "edible", referring to its edible fruits.

The genus includes some 12 to 20 accepted species. Most are endemic to South Africa, but there are at least four Australian species and one South American.

Where it grows

Carpobrotus mainly occurs in the sandy coastal habitats of mild Mediterranean climates, and can be also found inland in sandy to marshy places. In general, members of this genus prefer open sandy spaces where their wiry, long roots with shorter side branches form dense underground network. The root networks typically extend much further than the above-ground prostrate branches. Plants thrive well in gardens, but readily escape to other suitable locations, resulting in some members of the genus being considered an invasive species. They can form wide-area ground cover over a sandy soil, which suppresses indigenous sand dune vegetation when introduced to a non-native area.

Uses

Carpobrotus acinaciformis and Carpobrotus edulis are often used for groundcover due to their rapid growth, dense habit, and resistance to fire. Carpobrotus are also drought tolerant.

Other Carpobrotus plants

Sally My Handsome · Chilean Pigface · Sea fig · Delicious Sourfig · Natal dune vygie · Hottentot fig · Angular Sea-Fig · Mountain Sourfig · Inland Pigface · Albertinia sour fig · Giant Sourfig · Karkalla