Common name(s): Hottentot Fig, Ice Plant

Family: Aizoaceae - Stone Plant Family

Species: Carpobrotus edulis

Commonly found: Shoreline

Size: Flowers are 3-4" in diameter

Origin: Invasive. Native to South America.

Description: Hottentot Fig is a succulent shrub found throughout coastal California and the Channel Islands, especially in areas with a warm winter climate. The leaves are more-or-less triangular in x-section and fleshy. The individual flowers are at the tips of branches. The petals vary from yellow to pink. The flowers are larger than those of C. chilensis and the petals are yellow to pink, rather than magenta. At one time, Hottentot Fig was used for erosion control and highway paintings. It is also very invasive.