We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Carpobrotus?

By K. Willis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,725
Share

Carpobrotus is a related group, or genus, of plants that trail or creep across the ground. Common names for these species include ice plant and pigface. Most species belonging to this genus originate in South Africa, with a few species being native to America and Australia. Some species have been introduced to countries to which they are not native and are considered invasive because they grow and spread rapidly, often leaving no space or nutrients for native plants.

The leaves of the carpobrotus species are thick and succulent, similar to that of the aloe vera plant. The leaves store water reserves, allowing the plant to survive periods of drought. Some species, such as C. edulis, spread rapidly, forming large, dense blankets commonly in excess of 19 inches (0.48 m) deep.

Carpobrotus varieties are able to survive drought conditions and nutrient-depleted soils. These species prefer sandy, well-drained soils. Many carpobrotus species are used to reduce soil erosion, particularly in coastal areas, because the plants are able to tolerate strong winds, limited nutrients and salt water spray. The plants are also moderately fire-resistant because of their high water content; coupled with the fact that these plants grow in a blanket-like manner, they can be used as a moderately successful barrier against forest fires and wildfires.

Because of the rapid, aggressive growth, the invasive species can have a negative impact on local ecology. Little space is often left for native species, and the dense blankets formed by carpobrotus are usually impenetrable for many indigenous species. Localized extinction of some rare or protected plant varieties may occur because of the invasive nature of carpobrotus.

Carpobrotus species have been used for many centuries for their medicinal properties. Among others, indigenous peoples of South Africa have used carpobrotus to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, infections and stomach and digestion problems. The extract from the leaves has also been used to treat sore throats and mouth and throat infections. The liquid of the leaves is anti-septic and has also been used to treat cuts, grazes, burns, skin conditions and allergies. A syrup made from the fruit of carpobrotus plants is a very old remedy for use as a laxative.

Carpobrotus plants provide a valuable source of water and nutrition for a variety of small animals, such as tortoises, rats and rabbits, along with larger animals including deer and baboons. Snakes seek shelter and lay in wait to ambush potential prey from the densely packed foliage. Slugs, snails and lizards also seek shelter beneath the foliage during hot, dry periods.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-carpobrotus.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.