Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E. Br.   Mesembryanthemum edulis   Aizoaceae (Carpetweed Family)   S. Africa   Hottentot Fig

                                            June Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Perennial subshrub with long, 2-angled, prostrate, stout branches 1 m. or so long, forming extensive mats; lvs. 7-10 cm. long, 3-sided, curved, serrate on lower angle, fls. solitary, 8-10 cm. in diam., yellow or  pink, aging pink; stigmas 10-16, plumose; fr. fleshy, indehiscent, edible.

Habitat:  Much planted along highways and banks to control erosion; naturalized on dunes along coast.  Many coastal habitats, especially on sand; less than 100 m.  April-Oct.

Name:  Carpobrotus comes from to Greek words meaning edible fruit.  Edulis means edible.  (Dale 39).

General:  Very common in the study area.  The photographs were taken in the Santa Ana Heights flats, Back Bay Dr. between the Newporter Inn and San Joaquin Hills Dr. and 23rd St.  (my comments).      The fruit is edible.  The leaves can be used as a substitute for cucumber in making pickles or added fresh to salads.  Not as tasty as Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.  (Clarke 152-153).     Delfina Cuero, a Kumeyaay or Southern Diegueno Indian, made the following comments about Carpobrotus edulis in her autobiography:  "We boiled and ate young green parts, just like young green shoots of cactus were boiled."  (Shipek 93).      Extensively planted along highways and for dune stabilization.  Hybridizes with C. chilensis.  (Hickman, Ed. 128).       Woody perennials with decumbent stems, of wide distribution in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and California, about 20 species.  (Bailey 362).         The fruits can be eaten raw or dried as a preserve or jam and they can be used to make an excellent syrup. (Information on the identification plaque at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 128; Munz, Calif. Flora 309; Munz, Flora So. Calif.56.

Photo Ref:  April-May 1 84 # 17,18; April 04 # 24A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

First Found: April 1984

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 118.

No plant specimen.

Last edit 6/15/06.  

 

                                    May Photo                                                                 April Photo