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Useful Tropical Plants

Carpobrotus edulis

(L.) N.E.Br.

Aizoaceae

+ Synonyms

Abryanthemum edule (L.) Rothm.

Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus

Mesembryanthemum edule L.

Common Name: Hottentot Fig

Carpobrotus edulis
Flowering plants, growing right on the coast
Photograph by: Dinkum
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Carpobrotus edulis Carpobrotus edulis

General Information

Carpobrotus edulis is a low-growing, evergreen, succulent perennial plant producing branching stems that can be up to 3 metres long. The plant forms a dense carpet of growth about 20cm tall that completely covers the soil[
270
Title
Flora of N. America
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its medicinal uses and edible fruit, whilst it is also cultivated both as an ornamental and for its ability to stabilize sandy soils.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

S. Africa - Cape Province.

Habitat

Sandy and rocky places by the sea[
260
Title
Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books, London.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-330-37376-5
Description
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Perennial
Height0.10 m
PollinatorsBees
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Carpobrotus edulis is a subtropical species of mainly coastal regions. It can succeed in the drier parts of the tropics and subtropics, and also in the warmer parts of the temperate zone. Plants are not very cold tolerant and can be killed by temperatures below about -2°c.
Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[
166
Title
The Milder Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Taylor. J.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1990
ISBN
 
Description
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
]. Established plants are very drought resistant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[
166
Title
The Milder Garden.
Publication
 
Author
Taylor. J.
Publisher
Dent
Year
1990
ISBN
 
Description
A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
]. Moderately fire-retardant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Carpobrotus edulis is widely grown as an ornamental and ground cover plant. However, it has often escaped from cultivation, especially near the coast, and can readily and rapidly spread to form deep, dense mats which smother other low-growing native vegetation. The plant can also causes changes to soil pH. It has become a weed in many areas of the world including southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, westerm N. America
The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in S. Africa, being popular for making jams and curry dishes[
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
].
A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked, dried for later use or made into pickles, chutney etc[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
3
Title
Growing Unusual Fruit.
Publication
 
Author
Simmons. A. E.
Publisher
David & Charles; Newton Abbot.
Year
1972
ISBN
0-7153-5531-7
Description
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
,
5
Title
Food for Free.
Publication
 
Author
Mabey. R.
Publisher
Collins
Year
1974
ISBN
0-00-219060-5
Description
Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants.
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Mucilaginous and sweetly acid[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The yellowish, subglobose fruit can be 20 - 35mm in diameter[
270
Title
Flora of N. America
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].

Leaves - raw or cooked[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
173
Title
Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.
Publication
 
Author
Crowe. A.
Publisher
Hodder and Stoughton
Year
1990
ISBN
0-340-508302
Description
A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.
]. Succulent, they are eaten in salads and can also be used as a substitute for pickled cucumber[
183
Title
Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications
Year
1990
ISBN
0-9628087-0-9
Description
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. We find them too mucilaginous to be enjoyable[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are highly astringent, mildly antiseptic, diuretic, styptic[
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
]. Tannins are probably responsible for many of the beneficial properties.
The leaf juice is taken orally to treat dysentery, diarrhoea and other digestive problems[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
]. A mixture of leaf juice, honey and olive oil in water is an old remedy for TB[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
]. Chewing a leaf tip and swallowing the juice is enough to ease a sore throat[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].
The leaf juice is gargled to treat infections of the mouth and throat[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
,
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
]. It is applied topically as a soothing lotion to treat bruizes, grazes, wounds, burns, eczema, sunburn, ringworm, nappy rash, cracked lips, toothache, earache, oral and vaginal thrush[
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
].
The leaf pulp is applied as a poultice on wounds and infections[
732
Title
Medicinal Plants of South Africa
Publication
 
Author
van Wyk B.; van Oudtshoorn B.; Gericke N.
Publisher
Briza Publications; Pretoria, S. Africa.
Year
1997
ISBN
1-875093-09-5
Description
An excellent guide, containing information on over 130 medicinal herbs of S. Africa. It gives a reasonable description of each plant, with excellent photos and details of medicinal uses and active ingredients.
]. Leaf juice or a crushed leaf is a famous soothing cure for insect stings[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

A syrup made from the fruit is said to have laxative properties[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
]. An old and apparently very powerful remedy for constipation is to eat fruits and then drink brackish water[
295
Title
PlantZAfrica.com
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.plantzafrica.com
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Species in this genus have a vigorous, prostrate growth habit, producing a dense carpet of foliage and making a very effective ground cover. They can be planted in maritime areas, especially in Mediterranean climates, in order to prevent soil erosion in sandy soils, dunes and on banks[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
208
Title
Plants for Ground Cover
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons
Year
1990
ISBN
0-460-12609-1
Description
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
].
The plant has very fleshy leaves and is moderately fire-resistant. It can be used in barrier plantings to prevent the spread of forest fires[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Other Uses

The dried leaves contain about 19.4% tannin and the dry stems 14.2%[
223
Title
Vegetable Tannins
Publication
 
Author
Rottsieper. E.H.W.
Publisher
The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd.
Year
1946
ISBN
-
Description
A fairly detailed treatise on the major sources of vegetable tannins.
]. Yields of 1,700 kilos per hectare of cultivated plants have been achieved[
223
Title
Vegetable Tannins
Publication
 
Author
Rottsieper. E.H.W.
Publisher
The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd.
Year
1946
ISBN
-
Description
A fairly detailed treatise on the major sources of vegetable tannins.
].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in containers. Lower night-time temperatures are beneficial. The seed usually germinates in 7 - 10 days at 23°c[
138
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 3.
Publication
 
Author
Bird. R. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1989
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings at any time 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Carpobrotus+edulis>

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