Conicosia pugioniformis

(L.) N. E. Br.

Narrow-leaved iceplant, Giant clockplant

Aizoaceae Edible: Fruit, Roots 2,592 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Conicosia pugioniformis is a species of succulent plant in the ice plant family known by the common names narrow-leaved iceplant and pigroot. It is native to South Africa and it is known on other continents as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed. It is an invasive species on the Central Coast of California, where it is a minor threat to native coastal vegetation, although not as harmful as other species of invasive iceplant. This is a short-lived perennial herb growing from an underground caudex. It can sprout vegetatively from the caudex if its aboveground parts are destroyed. The fingerlike leaves are fleshy, gray-green, hairless, and up to 20 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a solitary, malodorous flower up to 8 centimeters wide. It has rings of up to 250 thin petals.

Description

A plant that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 1 m wide. The stems are thick and erect. The branches lie flat but turn up at the tips. The leaves are narrow and 3 angled. They are greyish-green and taper to the tip. The flowers are yellow and 7 cm across.

Edible Uses

The slimy roots are eaten as a snack. Young fruit capsules are used in stews.

Traditional Uses

The roots are slimy and edible. They are eaten as a snack. The young fruit capsules are used in stews.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It is best in light, sandy, well-drained soils. It suits an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, South Africa*, Southern Africa,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seeds.

Notes

Also put in the family Mesembryanthemaceae.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Roots	73.2	397	95	0.6	—	3.6	8.8	0.3

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum capitatum Haw.Mesembryanthemum pugioniforme L.and others

Also Known As

Duikerwortel, Snotwortel

References (9)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 275
Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 291
Gard. Chron. ser. 3, 84:253. 1928 (E. Phillips, Gen. S. Afr. fl. pl. 247. 1926, nom. nud.)
Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 130
Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 7

Show all 9 references

van Wyk, Be., & Gericke, N., 2007, People's plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa. Briza. p 68
van Wyk, B-E., 2011, The potential of South African plants in the development of new food and beverage products. South African Journal of Botany 77 (2011) 857–868
Wehmeyer, A. S, 1986, Edible Wild Plants of Southern Africa. Data on the Nutrient Contents of over 300 species
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179