Disphyma crassifolium

(L.) L. Bolus

Rounded noon-flower, Round-leaved Pig Face

Aizoaceae Edible: Leaves, Flowers, Fruit 3,059 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Disphyma crassifolium, commonly known as round-leaved pigface or salty fingers is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae native to Australia and the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It is a prostrate, succulent annual shrub or short-lived perennial plant with stems up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long, leaves that are three-sided in cross-section with a rounded lower angle, and purple daisy-like flowers with staminodes up to 30 mm (1.2 in) long.

Description

A herb which lies along the ground. It is soft and succulent. It can spread 1-2 m wide. It can form dense mats over the ground. The branches root at the nodes. The leaves are sausage shaped. They are fleshy. They are 2-3 cm long and rounded in cross section. They can be red. The flowers are 1-5 cm across. They are light purple with some white colour. The fruit is a capsule which becomes dry and hard at maturity.

Edible Uses

The leaves, flowers, and fruit are edible.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in drier sandy parts of salt marshes and on cliffs. It grows in coastal locations and up to 500 km inland. It can tolerate drought and frost. It does well on salty soils. It needs good drainage.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia*, New Zealand, Pacific, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from stem or leaf cuttings. It can also be grown from seed. Cuttings form roots quickly.

Notes

There are 3 Disphyma species.

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum crassifolium L.

References (13)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 350
Breidahl H., 1997, Australian Southern Shores. Lothian. p 122
Cameron, M., (Ed.) 1981, A Guide to Flowers & Plants of Tasmania. Reed p 100
Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 54
Flora of Australia, Volume 4, Phytolaccaceae to Chenopodiaceae, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra (1984) p 36

Show all 13 references

Fl. Pl. South Africa 7: t. 276. 1927
Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 150
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 88
Howells, C & Gulline, H., 2003, Coastal Plants of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Australian Plant Society, Tasmania. p 24
Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 30
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 59
Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 134
Woolmore, E et al, 2002, King Island Flora: A Field Guide. p 21