Carpobrotus rossii

Carpobrotus rossii is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia. It is known by various common names, including karkalla, pig face, sea fig[1] and beach bananas.[2]

"Karkalla" redirects here. For the town in India, see Karkala.

Carpobrotus rossii
Flower, Cape Raoul, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Carpobrotus
Species:
C. rossii
Binomial name
Carpobrotus rossii

C.rossii can be confused with rounded noon-flower Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum, which has also been erroneously called "karkalla" and "beach bananas" in the Australian native food trade.[3]

Description

Karkalla leaves are succulent, 3.5–10 cm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, and curved or rarely straight. The flowers are light purple in colour, and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. The globular purplish red fruit is about 2.5 cm (1 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide.[4]

Distribution

The species occurs in the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.[5] It can be found year-round in large patches covering sand dunes close to the ocean, due to its hardy nature and salt resistance.[6]

Uses

Aboriginal people eat the fruit traditionally, fresh and dried. The salty leaves were also reported to have been eaten with meat. The salty edible leaves should not be confused with rounded noon-flower, which also has edible leaves and is marketed as "karkalla".

Extracts of the plant have significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory activity.[7]

References
  1. Gardening Australia - bush foods factsheet
  2. The juicy side of a salty fruit : SBS Food
  3. https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/recipes/explainers/what-is-karkalla-2340
  4. Elliot, W.R. and D. L. Jones. Encyclopædia of Australian Plants, Vol. 2. 1982. ISBN 0-85091-143-5
  5. "Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  6. "Carpobrotus Spp". The Australian Plants Society Tasmania. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  7. Geraghtya, D. P., et al. (2011) In vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity of Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 134(1) 97-103. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.060


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