Carpobrotus acinaciformis
Hottentot Fig
a perennial evergreen member of the Carpobrotus genus in the family Aizoaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Genus
- Carpobrotus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 0.1 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw[1][12][13]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[K]. Insipid[11][2][6]. Leaves - raw or cooked[7][5]. Very mucilaginous, we find it very hard to enjoy them[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Planted in maritime areas to prevent soil erosion in sandy soils and on steep banks[8]. Plants form a dense carpet and make an effective ground cover[9]. The plant is moderately fire-resistant and can be used in barrier plantings to prevent the spread of forest fires[8].
- Product or use
- Fire retardant
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- S. Africa - Cape Province. Naturalized in Britain[1].
- Habitat
- Sandy and rocky places near the sea[10]. Naturalized on cliffs and banks by the sea in Cornwall and S. Devon[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow March to June in a greenhouse. Lower night-time temperatures are beneficial. The seed usually germinates in 7 - 10 days at 23°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. 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].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[1][8]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[4]. Established plants are very drought resistant[8]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[4]. Moderately fire-retardant[8]. Plants are not very frost resistant and can be killed by temperatures below about -2°c. They have naturalized themselves on cliffs along the coast of S. Britain but do not succeed inland unless grown in a sunny sheltered position[8]. A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1