Hottentot-fig
Hottentot-fig on Bryher, Isles of Scilly
Flowers and leaves
Petals, stamens and styles
Side view of flower
Magenta-coloured flower
3-sided leaves
Spreading stem
Stem with reddish leaves
Ground cover excluding other plants
Carpobrotus edulis
Aizoaceae
March to August
It grows mainly in the far West Country and the Scilly
Islands, but is also found along the southern and
eastern coasts as far north as Suffolk.
See the BSBI distribution map for Hottentot-fig
It is a neophyte in the UK and a native of South
Africa.
It has been grown in gardens since the 1690s
and known in the wild since the 1880s.
Until it got out of control, it was planted to stabilise
sand dunes.
Its spread is limited by its sensitivity to frost.
It grows on sea-cliffs, sand dunes and wasteland by
the sea.
Hottentot-fig is a non native, succulent, mat-forming,
creeping, perennial herb growing up to 3m.
Flowers are showy, up to 10cm across and range
from yellow to bright pinkish-red.
Leaves are succulent, 3-angled and up to 10cm.
They start light green and turn reddish towards the
end of the season.
Stems are woody and spreading.
The stems and leaves completely cover large areas
and crowd out other plants.
It is spread by garden throw-outs and nesting gulls.
It is considered to be a serious invasive alien and is on
the Defra list of nuisance invasive species.
Previous page: Hedge Barberry
Next page: Hyacinth
Hottentot-fig on Bryher, Isles of Scilly
Flowers and leaves
Petals, stamens and styles
Side view of flower
Magenta-coloured flower
3-sided leaves
Spreading stem
Stem with reddish leaves
Ground cover excluding other plants
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