Practical
Plants

Carpobrotus aequilaterus

Sea Fig

a perennial evergreen member of the Carpobrotus genus in the family Aizoaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Aizoaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.2 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[6]. They are said to remotely suggest the flavour of strawberry[4]. Leaves - baked[4]. We find them too mucilaginous to be enjoyable[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[5][7]. The plant is moderately fire-resistant and can be used in barrier plantings to prevent the spread of forest fires[5].

Product or use
Fire retardant

Ecology and functions

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - California, Mexico. Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Naturalised in California where it grows along the coastal strand and in coastal sage scrub at elevations up to 100 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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[2]. 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][5]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[3]. Established plants are very drought resistant[5]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[3]. Moderately fire-retardant[5]. Plants are not very frost resistant, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c, and only succeeding outdoors in the milder areas of the country[5]. A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  7. Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001

    ↩

  8. Flora of California www.calflora.org

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