hottentot fig
(Carpobrotus edulis)
This species is Introduced in the United States
ORIGIN: South Africa
GROWTH TRAITS: Carpobrotus edulis is perennial, ground-hugging succulents that send out fibrous roots at every node. Each plant forms large mats up to 165’ (50 m) in diameter. The fleshy leaf segments are 3-sided, 1½-5½” long (4-14 cm), waxy, and green but lined red with age. Flowering occurs almost year-round, peaking in spring. Flowers have numerous bright, narrow petals and numerous yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy and contains several glossy brown seeds. Carpobrotus edulis leaf segments are widest below the middle. Flowers are yellow, pink, or magenta and 2½-6” in diameter (6-15 cm).
REPRODUCTION: Spreads by seed and vegetatively. Every plant node can produce roots and shoots, so even small plant segments readily grow.
HABITAT: Found in disturbed area and can be found in coastal scrub, sand dunes, salt marshes, and along cliffs, roadways, and railway lines further inland. Sea fig is drought and salt tolerant, prefers full sun, and is sensitive to frost.
LOOK-ALIKES: The fleshy, triangular leaf segments, sprawling form, and magenta (sometimes yellow) daisy-like flowers differentiate these species from unrelated plants.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
GROWTH TRAITS: Carpobrotus edulis is perennial, ground-hugging succulents that send out fibrous roots at every node. Each plant forms large mats up to 165’ (50 m) in diameter. The fleshy leaf segments are 3-sided, 1½-5½” long (4-14 cm), waxy, and green but lined red with age. Flowering occurs almost year-round, peaking in spring. Flowers have numerous bright, narrow petals and numerous yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy and contains several glossy brown seeds. Carpobrotus edulis leaf segments are widest below the middle. Flowers are yellow, pink, or magenta and 2½-6” in diameter (6-15 cm).
REPRODUCTION: Spreads by seed and vegetatively. Every plant node can produce roots and shoots, so even small plant segments readily grow.
HABITAT: Found in disturbed area and can be found in coastal scrub, sand dunes, salt marshes, and along cliffs, roadways, and railway lines further inland. Sea fig is drought and salt tolerant, prefers full sun, and is sensitive to frost.
LOOK-ALIKES: The fleshy, triangular leaf segments, sprawling form, and magenta (sometimes yellow) daisy-like flowers differentiate these species from unrelated plants.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Caryophyllanae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Aizoaceae |
| Genus: Carpobrotus |
| Carpobrotus edulis |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.