- Reference
- J.Bot. 66:324 (1928)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Alien to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Prostrate, spreading, succulent perennial, herb, ca 0.1 m high, to 2 m long. Fl. pink/purple-blue, Feb or Aug or Oct to Nov. Sand to clay.
Distribution
- IBRA Regions
- Mallee.
- IBRA Subregions
- Western Mallee.
- Local Government Areas (LGAs)
- Lake Grace.
Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)
Alternative Names. Sea Fig, Chilean Pigface.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life form. Perennial. Reproduction. Primarily seed, also stem fragments. Dispersal. Birds, garden waste, inappropriate or inadvertant restoration planting.
Notes. Naturalised throughout Australia except for the Northern Territory. A vigorous prostrate plant, forming roots along its stems. Capable of out-competing native plant species. May inadvertently be planted in natural areas. Flowers are monoecious (have both male and female parts) and are bee-pollinated. Can grow in low nutrient and/or saline soil. Established plants are highly drought tolerant. Moderately fire-resistant. Very resistant to wind and salt spray. Frost tender. Flowers only open in the afternoon. Rain triggers release of seed from fleshy fruits. Can also establish from fresh or significantly dehydrated cuttings. Has large, edible fruits in summer that are consumed and spread by birds, possibly also by other animals.
Additional information. Origin. South America, Africa. History of use/introduction. Ornamental, edible fruit, erosion control particularly in coastal areas. Similar exotic species. Carpobrotus edulis. Similar native species. C. virescens.
Suggested method of management and control. Manual methods appear to be the most effective means of control. Roll up large mats removing all roots and stem fragments and remove from site. Follow up with removal of any germinating plants. Otherwise spray with glyphosate at 2% + surfactant. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.
Management Calendar
| Calendar Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Growth | U | U | U | U | U | U | |||||||
| Germination | U | U | U | U | U | ||||||||
| Flowering | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
| Fruiting | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
| Manual Removal | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Herbicide Treatment | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
References
- Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
- California Invasive Plant Council (2006) Invasive Plants of California's Wildland: Carpobrotus edulis. URL: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/ipcw/pages/detailreport.cfm@usernumber=25&surveynumber=182.php - Accessed April 2010.
- Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
- Plants for a Future (Undated) Carpobrotus aequilaterus - (Haw.) N.E.Br. Sea Fig. URL: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Carpobrotus+aequilaterus - Accessed February 2010.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.
- Watson, P. (2007) Warming to the ice plants: Introducing the Ice Plants. The Tasmanian Naturalist, 129: 8-15 URL: http://www.apstas.com/iceplants.html - Accessed February 2010.