Carpobrotus glaucescens Haw., Schwantes
Common name(s): Pigface, Angular Sea-fig, Angular Pigface, Iceplant
Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties
Prostrate Leaf Properties
Linear 
Glaucous
Glaucous 
Entire 
Opposite,
Opposite & Decussate 
Triangulate 
Acute Narrowly 
Truncate 
Connate,
Sessile Trunk / Stem Properties
Terete Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Composite 
Solitary Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Ellipsoid 
Smooth,
Waxy Seed Properties
Achene Root Properties
Fibrous,
Repent Soil Properties
Moist,
Moist-Dry 
Slight-Moderate Other Properties / Uses
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.
Propagation Notes
Hardwood Stem Cuttings
Firm wood, tip or stem cuttings. Cutting approximately 30 - 50mm long, including at least 1 node and a couple of leaves at the node. Ensure cut is clean across the bottom, remove lower leaves, flowers, seed pods. Place to one side and allow the wounds to callous and dry for 1 - 2 days.
1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand
3/4 fill the pots with mix and firm down. No rooting hormone is required. Hold the 2 leaves and short section of stem over the pot and backfill around the cutting gently until the cutting stands firm with the leaves partly buried in the mix. Water pot of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep barely moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.
Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %
Nursery Stock 90-99 %
Rooting time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks
Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks
Fresh Seed
Collect the fruit once they have ripened and turned red. Squeeze the end of the fruit with the 'ears' and the flesh and seeds will pop out the other end. Remove as much of the flesh as possible while it is fresh. Lay out to dry in a tray or on paper towel. Store in a cool, dark place. For best results plant as soon as possible.
Viability:- 3 - 6 months
Seeds/gram:- 4,352
1 part Premium Seed Raising Mix + 1 part Perlite
Fill seedling tray and firm down. Sow seed, cover lightly with mix, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place on 21° heated bed with misters will speed the process a little otherwise place in cold house. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-34° C.
Viable seeds/gram:- 3,500
Germination time:- 30 - 90 days
Pricking out:-
Tube Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand
Pot Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand
Stem Cutting
Firm wood, tip or stem cuttings. Cutting approximately 350mm long, including several sets of leaves and nodes. Ensure cut is clean across the bottom, remove flowers, seed pods. Place to one side and allow the wounds to callous and dry for 1 - 2 days.
1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand
3/4 fill the seedling tray with mix and firm down. No rooting hormone is required. Place the several cuttings length wise in the seedling tray and backfill around the cutting gently until the cuttings stand firm with the leaves partly buried in the mix. Water pot of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep barely moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.
Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %
Nursery Stock 90-99 %
Rooting time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks
Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks
Pot Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand
Premium Potting Mix
The lengths of stem with leaves will take root at each node along the stem. Once rooted, separate the sections and pot up.