Carpobrotus modestus

S. T. Blake

Inland pigface

Aizoaceae Edible: Fruit, Leaves 838 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa

Summary

Carpobrotus modestus, commonly known as inland pigface, is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to Australia. It produces purple flowers which mature into fruits. It is mainly used as a groundcover succulent or as a drought tolerant plant.

Description

A succulent herb. It lies along the ground and grows from year to year. It grows 6-50 cm high. It spreads 1 m wide. The flowers are pink, purple, blue and mauve.

Edible Uses

None known.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked but are salty.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

Temperate. It grows on white or grey sand and clay. It grows in warm temperate and subtropical places. It is best in light to medium well-drained soils. It needs a sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

It can be grown by seed or cuttings.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	68.4	278	67	3.7	—	—	2.7	0.9
Leaves	91	52	12	0.4	—	—	0.7	0.3

Also Known As

Katwort, Keong-a

References (13)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 217
Bonney, N., 2012, Edible Wild Native Plants for Southern Australia. p 28
De Angelis, D., 2005, Aboriginal Plant Use of the Greater Melbourne Area. La Trobe University Environment Collective
Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1982, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 2. Lothian. p 466
Flora of Australia, Volume 4, Phytolaccaceae to Chenopodiaceae, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1984) p 27

Show all 13 references

Greig, D., 1996, Flowering Natives for Home Gardens. Angus & Robertson. p 107
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 60
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 49
Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 30
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 133
Smith, K & I., 1999, Grow your own bushfoods. New Holland. Australia. p 70
www.ceres.org.au/bushfoodcatalogue
Zola, N., & Gott, B., 1992, Koorie Plants Koorie People. Koorie Heritage Trust. p 25, 48