Carpobrotus Edulis
Taxonomy:
|
Carpobrotus edulis (syn.
Mesembryanthemum edule), commonly called sea fig, hottentot-fig,
or sour fig, is a stout, mat-forming coastal succulent native to South
Africa that has naturalised widely in Mediterranean climates. In Algeria it is
recorded as an introduced, naturalised species along the northern
(Mediterranean) coast and in several coastal cities where it has been used in
horticulture and for dune stabilisation, but it can form dense monospecific
mats that displace native dune and littoral plants.
Synonyms
Abryanthemum edule
Mesembryanthemum edule LHow to identify it?
Carpobrotus edulis is a creeping succulent perennial herbaceous plant from the Aizoaceae family with evergreen leaves 10 to 50 cm high. It is native to South Africa is found in the Mediterranean region, as well as on the north of Africa and Algeria, the flowers are either white or yellow. It is an edible and medicinal plant.
- Habit: Prostrate, mat-forming perennial succulent; stems trailing and rooting at nodes to form dense carpets that can cover large areas. Individual mats can extend meters across.
- Leaves: Thick, triangular/flattened in cross-section, usually 3–7 cm long, glaucous green to reddish (especially under stress). Leaves often slightly curved with a succulent texture; edges may have minute teeth near the tip.
- Flowers: Large, daisy-like, many-petaled; colours commonly pink to magenta, sometimes yellow. Flowers open in bright sun. Flower diameter often 4–12 cm depending on plants.
- Fruit: A fleshy, fig-like capsule (hence “fig” in common name), multi-chambered and edible in native range; ripens to yellow/orange and contains many small seeds.
- Growth clues: Look for dense mats on dunes, cliff tops, coastal promenades, or disturbed sandy soils. If you see sprawling succulent mats with large pink daisy flowers near the coast, it’s almost certainly a Carpobrotus.
|
Type
Of Plant |
Life
Cycle |
Height |
Flowering
Time |
Altitude |
|
Herbaceous |
Perennial |
10 to 50 c m |
Apl to July |
0 - 300 m |
|
Mediterranean |
Edible |
Color |
Abundance |
Toxicity |
|
Yes |
Yes/Fruits |
Pink/yellow |
Very common |
No |
Other
Common Name:
|
Arabic |
Berber/Targui |
English |
French |
Other
Name |
|
Sbaa L-Aroussa |
Sba ghoula |
Hottentot-fig,Sea fig |
Figue de mer,Griffe de sorciere |
Ice Plant,Sour fig |
Where to find Carpobrotus edulis in Algeria
1-Zeralda (Algiers):
2-Numidian (eastern) coast, Constantine region: Coastal vegetation studies for the Numidian coast list Carpobrotus edulis among species impacting coastal endemic flora (Numidia, Constantine area).
3-Béjaïa, Annaba and other Mediterranean coastal towns: Regional horticultural, floristic inventories and invasive-flora surveys include Carpobrotus among naturalised ornamental succulents present in coastal towns (Annaba, Béjaïa etc.).Algerian distribution
Status: Introduced / naturalised in Algeria’s Mediterranean coastal zone (not native).
Ecological impact: Recognised as one of the non-native species threatening Numidian (north-east Algerian) endemic flora; its dense mats can reduce native plant recruitment and alter dune morphology. Management concern is raised in regional coastal conservation literature.Related
species:
§ Carpobrotus aequilaterus
§ Carpobrotus chilensis
§ Carpobrotus deliciosus
§ Carpobrotus edulis
§ Carpobrotus glaucescens
§ Carpobrotus virescens
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