This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Carpobrotus deliciosus
  • Sweet Hottentot Fig

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Carpobrotus deliciosus has 0 edible uses listed
Carpobrotus deliciosus has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or used as a garnish for fruit salads[1][2]. The fruit can also be dried and eaten like candy or made into jams and preserves[1]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[K].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

The plant is moderately fire-retardant and can be planted as a barrier to the spread of forest fires in Mediterranean and similar climates[2]. Planted on sunny banks and sandy soils in order to prevent soil erosion[2].

Unknown part

Fire retardant

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Carpobrotus deliciosus.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Carpobrotus deliciosus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[4][2]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[5]. Established plants are very drought resistant[2]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[5]. Moderately fire-retardant[2].

Plants are not very frost resistant , they can be damaged by temperatures below about -2°c and only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[2].

A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Carpobrotus deliciosus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Carpobrotus deliciosus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Carpobrotus deliciosus
Genus
Carpobrotus
Family
Aizoaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[2]
Botanic
[2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Salinity
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.2 x 1 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? 1.01.11.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.002.012.022.032.042.052.062.072.082.092.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  3. ? Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. (1989-00-00)
  4. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)


Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Carpobrotus_deliciosus&oldid=75963"
Facts about "Carpobrotus deliciosus"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyAizoaceae +
Belongs to genusCarpobrotus +
Functions asEarth stabiliser +
Has binomial nameCarpobrotus deliciosus +
Has common nameSweet Hottentot Fig +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partFruit +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceSalinity +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useFire retardant +
Has mature height0.2 +
Has mature width1 +
Has salinity toleranceTolerant +
Has search namecarpobrotus deliciosus + and sweet hottentot fig +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameCarpobrotus deliciosus +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Carpobrotus deliciosus + and Carpobrotus deliciosus +