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Taxon  Report  
Carpobrotus edulis  (L.) N. E. Br.
Hottentot fig,   Iceplant,   Sea fig
Carpobrotus edulis is a perennial herb that is not native to California.
Cal-IPC rating: high
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Observation Search
~4643 records in California
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
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Bloom Period
Genus: Carpobrotus
Family: Aizoaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
JEF + PLANTSMesembryanthemum edule
Information about  Carpobrotus edulis from other sources

[Wikipedia] Originated in South Africa: [WIkipedia] The sour fig grows on coastal and inland slopes in South Africa from Namaqualand in the Northern Cape through the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. It is often seen as a pioneer on disturbed sites. Carpobrotus edulis has naturalised in many other regions throughout the world, and is an invasive species in several parts, notably Australia, California and the Mediterranean, all of which have similar climates. The ice plant has escaped from cultivation and has become invasive, posing a serious ecological problem by forming vast monospecific zones, lowering biodiversity, and competing directly with several threatened or endangered plant species for nutrients, water, light, and space. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2024).