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Hottentot-fig Stand

Hottentot-fig Stand

Native to South Africa. It is also known as ice plant, highway ice plant or pigface and in South Africa as the sour fig (suurvy; earlier: hotnotsvy), on account of its edible fruit. Hottentot-fig is a creeping, mat-forming succulent species and a member of the fig-marigold family Aizoaceae.

How To Identify Hottentot-fig?

Colour: Succulent green leaves with trailing dead leaves and stems

Leaves: In opposite pairs. Leaves are triangular in cross section. Some older leaves may appear reddish

Flower: Yellow or magenta solitary flower with a yellow centre. Only opens in sunlight generally in the afternoon  

Hottentot-fig leaves
Hottentot-fig Flowers Pink and Yellow
Hottentot-Fig - Carpobrotus edulis ID Guide V4.gif

Hottentot-fig - Carpobrotus edulis ID Guide

Hottentot-fig Leaves

Hottentot-fig Flowers

Why Is Hottentot-fig A Problem?

Competes aggressively for space with native plant species. Can smother protected habitats such as dunes and vegetated coastal cliffs.

Hybrid species can lead to intensified invasions.

Can hinder the disturbance regime in dune habitats which are protected under the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. 

Hottentot-fig - Invasive Species Information

What Is Hottentot-fig - (Carpobrotus edulis)?

Habitat: Terrestrial. Found mostly on coastal cliffs
Distribution in Ireland: Localised around the east and south coast of the country

Status: Established
Family name: Aizoaceae

Reproduction: Vegetative propagation by runners (rooting at nodes) also capable of reproducing from seed which ripens from July and September

European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 non-native invasive plant species A-Z (Updated 2017)

There are currently 35 invasive plant species listed in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (annex 2, Part 1)...

 

Click on a species from the following list to find out more regarding non-native species subject to restrictions under Regulations 49 and 50.

  1. American Skunk-CabbageLysichiton americanus

  2. Brazilian Giant-RhubarbGunnera manicata

  3. Broad-Leaved RushJuncus planifolius

  4. Cape PondweedAponogeton distachyos

  5. Cord-GrassesSpartina (all species and hybrids)

  6. Curly Waterweed - Lagarosiphon major

  7. Dwarf Eel-GrassZostera japonica

  8. FanwortCabomba caroliniana

  9. Floating PennywortHydrocotyle ranunculoides

  10. Fringed Water-LilyNymphoides peltata

  11. Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianum

  12. Giant KnotweedFallopia sachalinensis

  13. Giant-RhubarbGunnera tinctoria

  14. Giant SalviniaSalvinia molesta

  15. Himalayan BalsamImpatiens glandulifera

  16. Himalayan KnotweedPersicaria wallichii

  17. Hottentot-FigCarpobrotus edulis

  18. Japanese KnotweedFallopia japonica

  19. Large-Flowered WaterweedEgeria densa

  20. Mile-a-Minute WeedPersicaria perfoliata

  21. New Zealand PigmyweedCrassula helmsii

  22. Parrots FeatherMyriophyllum aquaticum

  23. Red AlgaGrateloupia doryphora

  24. RhododendronRhododendron ponticum

  25. SalmonberryRubus spectabilis

  26. Sea-Buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides

  27. Spanish Bluebell Hyacinthoides hispanica

  28. Three-Cornered LeekAllium triquetrum

  29. WakameUndaria pinnatifida

  30. Water ChestnutTrapa natans

  31. Water FernAzolla filiculoides

  32. Water LettucePistia stratiotes

  33. Water-PrimroseLudwigia (all species)

  34. WaterweedsElodea (all species)

  35. WireweedSargassum muticum

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