Carpobrotus glaucescens

Carpobrotus glaucescens, commonly known as pigface or iceplant,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a succulent, prostrate plant with stems up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long, glaucous leaves, daisy-like flowers with 100 to 150 light purple to deep pinkish-purple, petal-like staminodes and red to purple fruit. It usually only grows very close to the sea.

Pigface
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Carpobrotus
Species:
C. glaucescens
Binomial name
Carpobrotus glaucescens
Synonyms[1]
  • Carpobrotus glaucescens (Haw.) N.E.Br. isonym
  • Mesembryanthemum australe Sol. ex G.Forst. nom. inval., nom. nud.
  • Mesembryanthemum glaucescens Haw.
  • Mesembryanthemum aequilaterum auct. non Haw.
  • Mesembryanthemum australe auct. non Aiton

Description

Carpobrotus glaucescens is a prostrate plant with stems up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long and glaucous leaves that are triangular in cross-section, straight or slightly curved, 35–100 mm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 9–15 mm (0.35–0.59 in) wide. The flowers are superficially daisy-like, more or less sessile, 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) in diameter with 100 to 150 light purple to deep pinkish-purple staminodes arranged in three or four rows and white near the base. There are about 300 to 400 stamens in five or six rows and seven to ten styles. The fruit is red to purple, more or less cylindrical, 20–30 mm (0.79–1.18 in) long and 16–24 mm (0.63–0.94 in) wide.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

Pigface was first formally described in 1812 by Adrian Hardy Haworth who gave it the name Mesembryanthemum glaucescens in his book Synopsis Plantarum Succulentarum,[5][6] but in 1928, Martin Schwantes changed the name to Carpobrotus glaucescens.[7]

Distribution and habitat

Carpobrotus glaucescens occurs in near-coastal areas of Queensland south from near Mackay to New South Wales and the far east of Victoria where it has been confused with C. rossii. It is also found on Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. There is a population on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand but it may be an introduced species there.[2][3][4][8][9]

Uses

The fruit of C. glaucescens was used by Aboriginal peoples as a food source. The flesh of the fruit is said to have a taste similar to salty apples. Early European explorers used the plant as an anti-scurvy treatment. The juice of the leaves can also be used to relieve pain from biting midges and from Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis).[4][10]

References
  1. "Carpobrotus glaucescens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  2. Jacobs, Surrey W.L.; Highet, Jeannie. "Caprobrotus glaucescens". Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  3. Walsh, Neville G. "Carpobrotus glaucescens". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. van Eeten, Peter. "Carpobrotus glaucescens". Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. "Mesembryanthemum glaucescens". APNI. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. Haworth, Adrian H. (1812). Synopsis Plantarum Succulentarum. London: Typis R. Taylor et Socii, 1812. p. 236. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  7. "Carpobrotus glaucescens". APNI. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. Johns, Louise (2019). Field guide to common saltmarsh plants of Queensland. Queensland Government. p. 16.
  9. de Lange, Peter J. "Carpobrotus glaucescens". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  10. Cribb, A.B. & J.W. (1974). Wild Food in Australia. Sydney: William Collins Publishers Pty. Ltd. pp. 70–71.
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