Carpobrotus

Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, and Hottentot fig, is a genus of ground-creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name refers to the edible fruits. It comes from the Ancient Greek karpos 'fruit' and brotos 'edible'. The genus includes some 12 to 20 accepted species. Most are endemic to South Africa, but there are at least four Australian species and one South American. Carpobrotus chiefly inhabits sandy coastal habitats in mild Mediterranean climates, and can be also found inland in sandy to marshy places. In general, they prefer open sandy spaces where their wiry, long roots with shorter side branches form dense underground network, which extends much further than above-ground prostrate branches. Plants thrive well in gardens, but can easily escape to other suitable places. They easily form wide-area ground covers over a sandy soil, which easily suppresses indigenous sand dune vegetation when Carpobrotus is introduced to a non-native area. Carpobrotus is native to South Africa, south Australian coast and coastal Chile. As an introduced species, it became widespread on similar habitats in the Northern Hemisphere: Pacific coast of the United States; Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe; and New Zealand. The fruit of various species of Carpobrotus is eaten by many animals and birds that also spread its seed. Various Carpobrotus species are invasive introduced species in suitable climates throughout the world. The harm they do is variable, and sometimes hotly debated, when balanced against their value as firebreaks and as food for wildlife. Seeds are spread by mammals such as deer, rabbits, and rodents eating mature fruit. Carpobrotus acinaciformis and Carpobrotus edulis are often used for groundcover due to their rapid growth, dense habit, and resistance to fire. Carpobrotus are also drought tolerant. C. glaucescens is noted for its salty fruit, a rare property in fruits.