Common Name: Hottentot Fig

General Information

Carpobrotus edulis is a low-growing, evergreen, succulent perennial plant producing branching stems that can be up to 3 metres long. The plant forms a dense carpet of growth about 20cm tall that completely covers the soil[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its medicinal uses and edible fruit, whilst it is also cultivated both as an ornamental and for its ability to stabilize sandy soils.
Carpobrotus edulis is widely grown as an ornamental and ground cover plant. However, it has often escaped from cultivation, especially near the coast, and can readily and rapidly spread to form deep, dense mats which smother other low-growing native vegetation. The plant can also causes changes to soil pH. It has become a weed in many areas of the world including southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, westerm N. America

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. Africa - Cape Province. Naturalized in Britain[]

Habitat

Sandy and rocky places by the sea[]. Naturalized on cliffs and banks by the sea in Cornwall and S. Devon[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Carpobrotus edulis is a subtropical species of mainly coastal regions. It can succeed in the drier parts of the tropics and subtropics, and also in the warmer parts of the temperate zone. Plants are not very cold tolerant and can be killed by temperatures below about -2°c. Plants have naturalized themselves on cliffs along the coast of southern Britain but do not succeed inland unless grown in a sunny sheltered position[].
Requires a well-drained sandy soil in a sunny position[, ]. Plants can be grown on dry walls or in the flower border[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[]. Very resistant to wind and salt spray[]. Moderately fire-retardant[].
The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in S. Africa, being popular for making jams and curry dishes[].
A vigorous prostrate plant, rooting as it spreads. The flowers only open in the afternoon[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked, dried for later use or made into pickles, chutney etc[, , , , , ]. There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent[]. Mucilaginous and sweetly acid[]. The yellowish, subglobose fruit can be 20 - 35mm in diameter[].

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Succulent, they are eaten in salads and can also be used as a substitute for pickled cucumber[]. We find them too mucilaginous to be enjoyable[].

Medicinal

The leaves are highly astringent, mildly antiseptic, diuretic, styptic[]. Tannins are probably responsible for many of the beneficial properties.
The leaf juice is taken orally to treat dysentery, diarrhoea and other digestive problems[, ]. A mixture of leaf juice, honey and olive oil in water is an old remedy for TB[]. Chewing a leaf tip and swallowing the juice is enough to ease a sore throat[].
The leaf juice is gargled to treat infections of the mouth and throat[, ]. It is applied topically as a soothing lotion to treat bruizes, grazes, wounds, burns, eczema, sunburn, ringworm, nappy rash, cracked lips, toothache, earache, oral and vaginal thrush[].
The leaf pulp is applied as a poultice on wounds and infections[]. Leaf juice or a crushed leaf is a famous soothing cure for insect stings[].

A syrup made from the fruit is said to have laxative properties[]. An old and apparently very powerful remedy for constipation is to eat fruits and then drink brackish water[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Species in this genus have a vigorous, prostrate growth habit, producing a dense carpet of foliage and making a very effective ground cover. They can be planted in maritime areas, especially in Mediterranean climates, in order to prevent soil erosion in sandy soils, dunes and on banks[, ].
The plant has very fleshy leaves and is moderately fire-resistant. It can be used in barrier plantings to prevent the spread of forest fires[].

Other Uses

The dried leaves contain about 19.4% tannin and the dry stems 14.2%[]. Yields of 1,700 kilos per hectare of cultivated plants have been achieved[].

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in cosmetic preparations for hair conditioning and skin conditioning[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow early spring to early summer in a greenhouse. Lower night-time temperatures are beneficial. The seed usually germinates in 7 - 10 days at 23°c[]. 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[].