Carpobrotus chilensis aka Sea Fig

Carpobrotus chilensis, or sea fig, is in the Aizoaceae family. This evergreen succulent lives for many years. Kew says it is native to central and south-central Chile. Its range extends into southwest Argentina. LLIFLE suggests it came from South Africa, but is not sure. It grows on coastal dunes, sandy flats, and bluffs. It also grows by estuaries and roads near sea level.

The plant forms low mats about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. Its trailing stems reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] or more. They root at nodes, or joints, and spread across the ground. Stem length does not set a fixed limit on mat width. Old stems have cracked grey bark over a shiny, reddish-brown surface. Thick leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stems. In cross-section, the leaves form a rounded triangle. Their edges are smooth. Many leaves have a pale coating and may turn purple.

Single flowers grow at the tips of the stems. Each has many narrow petals, in pink or magenta. These surround yellow anthers, the parts that hold pollen. Each flower opens in the morning and shuts at night. Flowers can bloom all year. Most bloom from early spring through summer. The flowers can use their own pollen to set seed. The small fruits look like berries and range from green to yellowish. They are oval or almost round. They stay closed when ripe. Each fruit holds many seeds in several chambers.

Sea fig suits warm temperate and subtropical sites by the coast. It needs sun. In very hot climates, shade in the afternoon can help. It needs soil that drains well and grows in poor sand. It also copes with winds that carry salt from the sea. People have planted it to hold dunes and dress roadsides. Its low mats and bright blooms also serve as ornament. Yet it can invade coastal sites and threaten native plants. It withstands foot traffic and other forms of disturbance on busy beaches. Seeds and small broken stem pieces can start new plants. These traits make patches hard to control once they take hold.

People gather the leaves and fruit for food. They eat leaves raw or cooked, including in salads or pickles. The leaves feel thick and slippery. Ripe fruit tastes sweet and tart but has little flesh. Unripe fruit has a strong taste that dries the mouth. People cook or dry the fruit, or make chutney with it. Eating large amounts can have a laxative effect. Useful Tropical Plants lists no other known hazards.