Carpobrotus aequilaterus

Carpobrotus aequilaterus, common names: angled pigface, Chilean pigface, This species is thought to have originated in southern Africa (or possibly South America) and a naturalised weed elsewhere. However, according to VicFlora it is native to South Africa, It is also known as the sea fig. The plant grows along the coast from sea level and up to 100 metres higher. It can be found in Chile, California, Mexico, and Australia. It is a naturalised weed in North America, New Zealand, and Australia (in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia), and Western Australia).

Description

A fleshy plant which keeps growing from year to year. It grows about 30 cm high but spreads about 1 m wide. The stems are stout and lie along the ground. They develop suckers. The leaves are succulent and opposite. The leaves are triangle shaped in cross section. They are greyish-green. Leaves can be 9 cm long. The flowers are large. They are pinkish-purple. They occur singly on short stalks between the 2 end leaves. The fruit are fleshy and edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten raw and is said to faintly suggest the flavour of strawberry. The leaves can be baked but are too mucilaginous to be particularly enjoyable.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are baked and eaten. The fruit are also eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It grows in coastal regions. It can grow in slightly salty areas. It grows in temperate places. It will grow in most soils but needs an open sunny position. It is drought resistant but sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 10 & 11. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia*, Chile, East Africa, North America, South Africa, South America, Tasmania*, USA, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be grown easily using broken pieces. It can also be grown by seed.

Propagation

Surface sow seed from March to June in a greenhouse, with lower night-time temperatures being beneficial. Seed typically germinates in 7–10 days at 23°C. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings can be taken at any point during the growing season — allow the cutting to dry in the sun for a day or two, then pot up in a very sandy mix. Very easy to propagate this way.

Other Uses

Planted in maritime areas to prevent soil erosion in sandy soils and on steep banks. The plant is moderately fire-resistant and can be used in barrier plantings to limit the spread of forest fires.

Notes

There are about 25 Carpobrotus species. Also put in the family Mesembryanthemaceae.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Doca, Frutilla del mar, Pigface, Sea fig

References (20)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994) (As Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale)
• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 85
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 217
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 194
• Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 103

More from Aizoaceae

Carpobrotus muirii

Real sour fig

Carpobrotus quadrifidus

Carpobrotus rossii

Karkalla, Pigface

Carpobrotus virescens

Western pigface, Stout pigface, Bain, Coastal pigface

Conicosia pugioniformis

Narrow-leaved iceplant, Giant clockplant

Conophytum truncatum