Carpobrotus chilensis
{{Short description|Species of succulent}}
{{Redirect|Sea fig|the tree|Ficus superba|the edible tunicate|Microcosmus sabatieri}}
{{Speciesbox
|name = Sea fig
|image = Carpobrotuschilensis.jpg
|genus = Carpobrotus
|species = chilensis
|synonyms = Mesembryanthemum chilense
}}
Carpobrotus chilensis is a species of edible succulent plant known by the common name sea fig. It grows on coastal sand dunes and bluffs and is used as an ornamental plant. However, along with its relative C. edulis, it has invaded sections of the California coast at the expense of native vegetation, and is subject to control efforts.
Description
Carpobrotus chilensis sends out prostrate stems that are upwards of {{Convert|2|m|ft|abbr=off|frac=2}} long; these root at the nodes and can carpet the ground, with fleshy, pointed leaves which are {{Convert|4-7.5|cm|abbr=off|frac=4}} long and triangular in cross-section.{{Cite book |last=Spellenberg |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalaudubons00spel/page/330/ |title=National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region |publisher=Knopf |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-375-40233-3 |edition=rev |pages=330 |orig-date=1979}} It is similar to, and often mistaken for, its close relative the "ice plant" (Carpobrotus edulis), which is larger, and grows alongside and sometimes hybridizes with C. chilensis. For comparison, the larger flowers of C. edulis ({{convert|2.5 to 6|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=sqbr|order=flip}} in diameter) are yellow or light pink, whereas C. chilensis flowers are smaller ({{convert|1.5 to 2.5|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=sqbr|order=flip}} in diameter) and deep magenta.{{cite web |title=Medicinal plants of Fernkloof |url=http://fernkloof.com/medicinal-plants.mv |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729060500/http://fernkloof.com/medicinal-plants.mv |archivedate=2012-07-29}}
The flowers open in the morning and close at night, and its can bloom and fruit all year round.Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Publication Author Crowe. A. Publisher Hodder and Stoughton Year 1990 {{ISBN|0-340-508302}} The fruit has 8–10 chambres.
The plant can easily be propagated by cuttings, which can be planted immediately in the soil or instantly in the garden and will root without the need of rooting hormone or mist.
Taxonomy
Along with C. edulis, it was once placed in Mesembryanthemum.
Distribution and habitat
Usually found in warm temperate and subtropical areas, it is probably native to southern Africa. It is familiar elsewhere, particularly the coastline of western North America, where it is an introduced invasive species that has taken hold and become commonplace. It is also found, and naturalised, in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Australia, Spain, Greece, Southern England and New Zealand. Grown in sunny conditions, it is normally found within coastal dunes and bluffs, margins of estuaries, along roadsides; at elevations from sea level to {{Convert|100|m|abbr=on}} along the southern Pacific Coast of North America.The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}
Ecology
Growing well in poor sandy soil, this species is hardy and can withstand disturbance by humans, which is common on the well-travelled beaches where it grows. This trait gives it an advantage over many native plant species, causing it to become a threat to native coastal ecosystems where it has invaded.
Uses
The plant has a pleasant flavour, although it can be laxative if eaten in high quantity, especially its fruit. The plant can be consumed raw or cooked (especially its leaves), or dried for future use or made into pickles and chutney. There is only a tiny amount of flesh in the fruit, and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very sour. The leaves can be used in salads and can also be used as a replacement for pickled cucumber.Cornucopia – A Source Book of Edible Plants. Publication Author Facciola. S. Publisher Kampong Publications Year 1990 {{ISBN|0-9628087-0-9}}
=Medicinal=
The leaf juice is acerbic and slightly antiseptic. It can be mixed with water and used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and stomach cramps, and can also be gargled to alleviate laryngitis, sore throat and mouth infections. Masticating its leaf tip and ingesting the juice may relieve a sore throat. The leaf juice is also used externally as a calming curative for burns, bruises, scrapes, cuts, grazes and sunburn, ringworm, eczema, dermatitis, sunburn, herpes, nappy rash, cold sores, cracked lips, chafing, skin conditions and allergies and curative for insect stings.Growing Unusual Fruit. Publication Author Simmons. A. E. Publisher David & Charles; Newton Abbot. Year 1972 {{ISBN|0-7153-5531-7}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Carpobrotus chilensis}}
- [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?265,268,269 Jepson Manual Treatment — Carpobrotus chilensis]
- [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CACH38 USDA Plants Profile: Carpobrotus chilensis]
- [http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Carpobrotus+chilensis Carpobrotus chilensis — U.C. Photo gallery]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q964408}}
Category:Flora of Southern Africa
Category:Plants described in 1810