Carpobrotus rossii

(Haw.) Schwantes

Karkalla, Pigface

Aizoaceae Edible: Fruit, Flowers, Leaves 2,947 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Carpobrotus rossii (formerly Mesembryanthemum rossii) is a succulent coastal groundcover plant of the family Aizoaceae. Native to southern Australia, it is known by various common names, including karkalla, pig face, sea fig and beach bananas. C. rossii can be confused with rounded noon-flower Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum, which has also been erroneously called "karkalla" and "beach bananas" in the Australian native food trade.

Description

A plant which forms a carpet over the ground. It spreads 2-4 m wide. The stems are slender. The leaves are succulent or soft and fleshy. They are triangle shaped in cross section. The leaves are up to 6-10 cm long and 5-8 mm broad. They are curved inwards and taper from the base. The flowering branches curve upwards. The flowers are large and purple or pink. They are 3.5-5.5 cm across. The flower stalks are 3 cm long. The fruit are 2 cm long by 1.5 cm wide and almost round. They are purplish-red.

Edible Uses

None known.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten both fresh and dried. The leaves are eaten with meat. They are salty. They can be eaten raw or cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

Temperate. It can grow in the subtropics and in semiarid places. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in dry soil and in full sun. It cannot stand frost. It can grow near coasts. It grows on sand dunes and the edges of salt marshes. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or divisions of the stems which have rooted. Cuttings form roots quickly.

Other Uses

None known.

Other Information

It is produced commercially.

Notes

It is good for binding loose soil. There are about 25 Carpobrotus species. Also put in the family Mesembryanthemaceae.

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum rosii Haw.

Also Known As

Gadwud, Katwort, Keeng-a, Puuyuupkil, Wenddar

References (27)

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Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 217
Bonney, N., 1997, Economic Native Trees and Shrubs for South Australia. Greening Australia (SA) inc. Campbelltown SA 5074 p 56
Bonney, N., 2012, Edible Wild Native Plants for Southern Australia. p 28
Breidahl H., 1997, Australian Southern Shores. Lothian. p 122

Show all 27 references

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Curtis, W.M., 1963, The Students Flora of Tasmania Vol 2 p 238
Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 54
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
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Whiting, J. et al, 2004, Tasmania's Natural Flora. Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee PO Box 194, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia 7315 p 14
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www.ceres.org.au/bushfoodcatalogue