About Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br.
Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. is a creeping, mat-forming succulent species that grows year-round. Individual shoot segments can grow more than 1 m (3 ft) per year, and the entire plant can reach at least 50 m (165 ft) in diameter. Its leaves are dull-green or yellow-green, and may fade to pink as they age. Leaves are very slightly curved, with serrated edges near their tips. Yellow flowers, between 6.4 to 15.2 centimetres (2+1⁄2 to 6 inches) in diameter, bloom from April to October. Two of the flower's calyx lobes are longer, extending past the petals. The flowers open in bright morning sunlight and close at night. The receptacle is somewhat wedge-shaped, tapering toward the pedicel. The fruit is multi-chambered, and ripens from green to yellow. This species, commonly called sour fig, grows on coastal and inland slopes in South Africa, ranging from Namaqualand in the Northern Cape through the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. It frequently acts as a pioneer species on disturbed sites. Its flowers are pollinated by solitary bees, honey bees, carpenter bees, and many beetle species. Tortoises eat its leaves, while antelopes and baboons eat its flowers. Baboons, rodents, porcupines, and antelopes eat the fruit, and also disperse the plant's seeds. Dense clumps of Carpobrotus edulis provide shelter for snails, lizards, and skinks. Puff adders and other snakes including the Cape cobra are often found within these clumps, where they ambush small rodents attracted to the plant's fruit. Both the fruit and leaves of Carpobrotus edulis are edible, as is true for some other members of the Aizoaceae family. In South Africa, ripe sour fig fruit is harvested to eat fresh, or made into a very tart jam. Different parts of C. edulis are used in various forms in traditional South African medicine. Most commonly, fruits and flowers are eaten raw or cooked to treat fungal and bacterial infections. Leaves can be ingested orally to ease digestive problems, or their juice can be sucked to soothe a sore throat. Leaf juice can also be mixed into a lotion base and used externally to address issues including ringworm, bruises, sunburns, and cracked lips.
