Carpobrotus

Flower name
Carpobrotus
Scientific name
Carpobrotus
Aliasカルポブロトゥス, 莫邪菊, Carpobrotus, hottentot fig, sour fig, freeway iceplant
Place of originSouth Africa, South America, and Australia
Place of floweringSeashore
Flowering seasonJuly, August
Language of flowers"Joy," "Happiness"

What is Carpobrotus

Carpobrotus (Japanese name: Bakuyagiku / Chinese: 莫邪菊, Scientific name: Carpobrotus) is a naturalized plant species belonging to the family Aizoaceae and genus Carpobrotus, originally from South Africa, South America, and Australia. It is a hardy, salt-tolerant, drought-resistant, succulent, creeping, evergreen perennial plant with strong reproductive ability.
It is also known by various names such as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, Hottentot fig, and clawberry.

It prefers sandy coastal soils. Its underground rhizomes can grow up to 3 meters, and its creeping stems spread horizontally on the ground, branching out to form mat-like covers. Its vitality is so strong that even a single leaf can take root and settle. Originally introduced as a garden plant, it has become naturalized across the globe.

Origin of the Name

The genus name “Carpobrotus” derives from the ancient Greek words “karpos” (fruit) + “brotos” (edible), meaning “edible fruits.”
The Japanese name “Bakuyagiku” shares the same name as the Chinese name.

Varieties of Carpobrotus

There are about 30 species in this genus. The main ones include:

● Carpobrotus acinaciformis
Origin: Endemic to the Cape Province of South Africa
Other names: Elands sourfig, Elandssuurvy, or Sally-my-handsome
Leaf color: Grayish green
Flower color: Bright deep pink-purple
Sepals: 5, short and uniform in length
Leaf shape: Like a scimitar (acinaciform)
Uses: Leaves and fruits are edible
Fruit color: Yellow
Use: Ground cover

● Carpobrotus edulis
Other names: Hottentot fig, sour fig, ice plant, freeway iceplant
Origin: Cape Province of South Africa
Naturalized in: North America, Mexico
Leaf color: Dull green/yellow-green
Leaf tips: Serrated
Flower diameter: 6–15 cm
Flower color: Yellow/light pink
Sepals: 2 of the 5 sepals are longer than the petals
Use: Ground cover

● Carpobrotus dimidiatus
Other name: Natal sour fig
Origin: Natal, South America
Habitat: Coastal
Leaf color: Grayish green
Leaf shape: Elongated
Flower color: Bright pink to lilac
Receptacle: Spiral to cup-shaped

● Carpobrotus chilensis
English names: Sea fig, coastal iceplant
Origin: Argentina and Chile
Flower diameter: Small (3–5 cm)
Flower color: Deep pink

● Carpobrotus glaucescens
Origin: Endemic to Australia
Other names: Pigface, ice plant
Leaf color: Gray-white
Flower color: Light pink
Flower diameter: Small (4–6 cm)
Fruit: Salty taste

● Carpobrotus mellei
Other names: Mountain sour fig, Berg suurvy
Origin: Cape Province of South Africa
Habitat: Mountainous and inland mountain ranges
Leaf color: Grayish green
Leaf tip: Curved
Cross-section: Isosceles triangle
Flower color: Light pink
Stigma: Longer and more prominent than stamens
Receptacle: Spiral to cup-shaped

Related Species

Genus Mesembryanthemum

Language of Flowers

"Joy," "Happiness"

Common name: Bakuyagiku (莫邪菊)
Scientific name: Carpobrotus
Other names: Hottentot fig, sour fig, ice plant, freeway iceplant
Classification: Plantae > Angiosperms > Eudicots > Caryophyllales > Aizoaceae > Carpobrotus
Origin: 7 species from South Africa, 4 species from Australia, 1 species from South America
Naturalized: North America, Mexico
Habitat: Naturalized worldwide
Living environment: Beaches, roadsides, cliffs
Growth type: Salt-tolerant, drought-resistant, succulent, creeping, evergreen perennial
Height: 15–20 cm
Rhizome length: 270–300 cm
Stem thickness: 0.6 cm
Leaf texture: Succulent
Leaf shape: Oval
Leaf cross-section: Triangular
Flowering period: April to October (year-round in native regions)
Flower colors: Pale pink / deep pink / yellow
Flower diameter: 3–15 cm
Pollinators: Bees (honeybees, bumblebees), beetles (longhorn beetles, ladybugs)
Leaf length: 4–7 cm
Leaf width: 0.5–1.2 cm
Leaf color: Dull green / yellow-green / whitish
Flower type: Solitary
Peduncle: None
Flower diameter: 5–9 cm (edulis), 3–5 cm (chilensis)
Petals: 100–140
Petal length: 1–2.5 cm
Petal color: Deep reddish purple / light pink / yellow / white / lilac
Stamens: 100–250
Anther color: Yellow
Sepals: 5
Sepal length: 1–2 cm
Fruit length: 1.7–2 cm
Fruit shape: Ovoid to nearly spherical, does not split, softens when ripe
Use: Fruits serve as food for humans, birds, mammals, reptiles such as turtles
Note: Designated as a species requiring attention under invasive species management