Carpobrotus

Genus of succulents

Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, Hottentot fig, and clawberry is a genus of ground creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy like flowers. The name comes from the Ancient Greek karpos "fruit" and brotos "edible", referring to its edible fruits. 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 readily escape to other suitable places. They can form wide area ground cover over a sandy soil, which suppresses indigenous sand dune vegetation when introduced to a non native area. Carpobrotus is native to South Africa, the south coast of Australian and coastal Chile.

The fruit of various species of Carpobrotus is eaten by many animals and birds, which 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. Carpobrotus leaf juice can be used as a mild astringent. Applied to the skin, it is a popular emergency treatment for jellyfish and similar stings. When mixed with water it can be used to treat diarrhea and stomach cramps. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throat, laryngitis, and mild bacterial infections of the mouth, and can be used externally, much like aloe vera, to treat wounds, mosquito bites, sunburn, and skin conditions. It was a remedy for tuberculosis mixed with honey and olive oil. The fruit has been used as a laxative.