The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Carpobrotus chilensis

Etymology

Carpobrotus: From the Greek karpos 'fruit' and brotus 'edible', the fruits of some species being edible.

Common Name(s)

ice plant

Authority

Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E.Brown

Family

Aizoaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

C. aequilaterus (Willd.) J.M.Black

Habitat

Terrestrial. Coastal

Features

Mat-forming trailing perennial herb. Stems to about 6 m long, occasionally rooting, subwoody at base. Leaves sharply 3-angled. Flowers 6.5-8 cm diameter, petals purple. Seeds brown about 1mm long.

Similar Taxa

Very similar to C. edulis but can easily be distinguished when flowering. C. chilensis has smaller purple flowers. In New Zealand C. chilensis has usually be referred to C. aequilaterus (Willd.) J.M.Black, a very different looking western Australian endemic.

Flowering

October, November, December

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple

Year Naturalised

1969

Origin

California, Chile

This page last updated on 26 Mar 2010