Carpobrotus glaucescens Haw., Schwantes

Common name(s): Pigface, Angular Sea-fig, Angular Pigface, Iceplant

Family: Aizoaceae Synonym(s): Mesembryanthenum australe, Mesembryanthenum glaucescens, Mesembryanthenum aequilaterum
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_upper
Bark (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Ken Harrington
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NC, CC, SC, LH
  • QLD: KS, PC, WB, MO
  • VIC: EG
New Zealand
  • Nth. Is.: WA
Plant Type
Deciduous Succulent, Evergreen, Groundcover, Perennial, Prostrate, Trailing
Deciduous Succulent,
Evergreen,
Groundcover,
Perennial,
Prostrate,
Trailing
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Sun - Afternoon, Shade - Light
Sun - Full,
Sun - Afternoon,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Clay Pans, Coastal
Clay Pans,
Coastal
Habitat Zone(s)
Beach margins, Cliffs, Dry, Evaporation pans, Exposed Stony embankments, Fresh-brackish water, Garden, Landscape, Open areas, Rock crevices, Sand dunes, Sandy Dry, Sandy Moist, Scattered, Well drained
Beach margins,
Cliffs,
Dry,
Evaporation pans,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Fresh-brackish water,
Garden,
Landscape,
Open areas,
Rock crevices,
Sand dunes,
Sandy Dry,
Sandy Moist,
Scattered,
Well drained
Mature Height
50-100mm, 100-150mm
50-100mm,
100-150mm
Mature Width
1.5-2m, 2-2.5m
1.5-2m,
2-2.5m
Plant Shape
Prostrate
Prostrate
Prostrate Prostrate
Growth Rate
Moderate, Fast
Moderate,
Fast
Maturity
2-4 yrs.
2-4 yrs.
Life Span
30-50yrs
30-50yrs
Leaf Properties
Leaf Colour (front)
Green, Grey-green, Purple Tipped
Green,
Grey-green,
Purple Tipped
Leaf Colour (back)
Green, Grey-green
Green,
Grey-green
Leaf Shape(s)
Linear
Linear
Linear Linear
Leaf Texture (front)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Glaucous Glaucous
Fleshy , Thick
Fleshy,
Thick
Leaf Texture (back)
Glaucous
Glaucous
Glaucous Glaucous
Fleshy , Thick
Fleshy,
Thick
Leaf Length(s)
90-100mm
90-100mm
Leaf Width(s)
10-15mm
10-15mm
Leaf Arrangement
Opposite
Opposite
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite Opposite,
Opposite & Decussate Opposite & Decussate
Leaf Aroma
None
None
Trunk / Stem Properties
Trunk / Stem Upper Colour(s)
Green , Purple-green
Green,
Purple-green
Trunk / Stem Base Colour(s)
Brown Light , Green
Brown Light,
Green
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Flowering Time (start)
Spring Mid
Spring Mid
Flowering Time (end)
Summer Mid
Summer Mid
Colour(s)
Pink Dark, Purple Light
Pink Dark,
Purple Light
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flower Shape(s)
Composite
Composite
Composite Composite
Flower Size(s) Width
40-50mm, 50-60mm
40-50mm,
50-60mm
Arrangement(s)
Solitary
Solitary
Solitary Solitary
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Butterflies, Insects
Bees,
Butterflies,
Insects
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid
Outer Colour(s)
Glossy, Purple, Purple-red, Red
Glossy,
Purple,
Purple-red,
Red
Outer Texture
Smooth
Smooth
Waxy
Waxy
Smooth Smooth,
Waxy Waxy
Length
20-25mm, 25-30mm
20-25mm,
25-30mm
Aroma
None
None
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Repent
Repent
Fibrous Fibrous,
Repent Repent
Invasiveness
None
None
Soil Properties
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist-Dry
Moist-Dry
Moist Moist,
Moist-Dry Moist-Dry
Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Poor,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight-Moderate
Slight-Moderate
Slight-Moderate Slight-Moderate
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Insect, Nectar
Insect,
Nectar
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
1st Line
1st Line
Edible(s)
Fruit
Fruit
Fire Retarding
Good
Good
Drought Tolerance
Good
Good
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerant
Moderate
Moderate
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Pests/Diseases
Aphid, Scale
Aphid,
Scale
Humidity Requirements
Low, Medium
Low,
Medium
Fertilising Requirements
FR8, FR11
FR8,
FR11
Wind Tolerance
Strong Winds, Cold Winds, Hot / Dry Winds
Strong Winds,
Cold Winds,
Hot / Dry Winds

General Notes

A common, hardy ground cover for beach side gardens with showy purple-pink flowers. Salt and wind tolerate it is good for binding sand and soil from wind and water erosion.

The Aboriginal people used the fruit and leaves as a food source. The flesh of the fruit has a taste of salty apples or some say strawberry or kiwifruit. The juice of the leaves can be used to relieve pain from insect bites. The leaves can be eaten raw or roasted and used as a salt substitute.