Common Name: Pigface

General Information

Carpobrotus glaucescens is a low-growing, succulent, evergreen, perennial plant that can produce stems 2 metres long which root at their nodes and spread to cover quite large areas of the ground.
The fruit is avidly gathered by the Australian Aborigines, who use it as a main source of food when it is in season[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

Habitat

Grows near the sea[]. A creeping plant on beaches, dunes and headlands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Carpobrotus glaucescens is a plant of low elevations, mainly in the subtropics but extending into the tropics[]. It is not very cold-hardy, but can tolerate short periods with temperatures falling to around -2°c[].
Succeeds in most relatively well-drained positions in either full sun or partial shade; though an open sunny position is best[]. Found naturally in poor sandy soils and cliff faces[]. Plants are tolerant of saline soils and maritime winds[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Considered a delicacy by the native people, the fruit has a soft, wet pulp with the flavour of salty strawberries or fresh, juicy figs[]. The red to purple fruit is 20 - 30mm long[].

Leaves - a salty flavour[].

Medicinal

The leaves are antiscorbutic[].
The juice from the succulent leaves has been applied externally to relieve pain from insect bites[].

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 acts to stabilize sand dunes, even surviving burial by the sand[]. It thus paves the way for other species to become established on the dunes[].
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

None known

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[].