Disphyma australe
Pig's Face
a perennial member of the Disphyma genus in the family Aizoaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are pickled[2][3]. Fruit - the inner portion is used[2]. No further details are given.
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- Australia, New Zealand.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a very well-drained soil and a sunny position[1][4]. It does not need a rich soil and is probably hardier when grown in poorer soils[4]. Plants grow well by the coast, tolerating maritime exposure[1]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, it can be grown as an annual, flowering and setting seed in its first year from seed[1]. It is also possible to take cuttings in the summer and overwinter them in the greenhouse[1].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-340-508302
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Allan. H. H. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer, Wellington. 1961-00-00