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Carpobrotus edulis

Sour Fig - Carpobrotus edulis
Sour Fig - Carpobrotus edulis
Sour Fig - Carpobrotus edulis

Common names: sour fig, Cape fig, Hottentots fig (English); igcukuma, unomatyumtyum (Xhosa); ikhambi-lamabulawo, umgongozi (Zulu); ghaukum, ghoenavy, Hottentotsvy, Kaapsevy, perdevy, rankvy, suurvy, vyerank (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Carpobrotus edulis
Previously known as: Mesembryanthemum edule

Carpobrotus edulis, also known as sour fig or Cape fig, is a succulent groundcover ideal for low-maintenance and water-wise gardens. It produces edible fruits and is a useful first-aid plant for herbal or kitchen gardens. This robust perennial plant, with yellow flowers and fleshy, edible fruit, is easy to grow, drought-resistant, and suitable for coastal and inland slopes. It is not threatened in its native habitat but has become invasive in some parts of the world. The plant has a rich history and is used for various medicinal purposes, including treating diarrhea, skin conditions, and insect bites. It is easy to grow and thrives in well-drained soil and sunny positions.

Uses & Benefits: cosmetics, food, medicine, phyto-remediation, pot plant, small garden, water-wise, wind tolerant

All Plant Profiles

Nature & Cultivation

Family: Aizoaceae
Type: ground cover, succulent
Vegetation type:  
Flower colour: pink, yellow
Flowering season: Spring
Plant-animal interactions: antelope, baboons, bees, birds, butterflies, porcupines, rodents, snakes
Red list status: Least Concern

Light-level: full sun
Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
Propagation: cuttings, division, seed

Use as Medicine

Safety: no safety concerns

Herbal traditions: Cape Dutch, Cape Herbal Medicine, Khoi & San
Plant parts used: flowers, fruits, leaf juice, leaves, roots

First-aid use: blue-bottle stings, bruising, burns, cold sores, cracked lips, cuts, diarrhoea, earache, eczema, fatigue, grazes, insect bites, mouth ulcer, rashes, ringworm, sore throat, stomach ache, sunburn, thrush, toothache, wounds 
Medical use:  
Veterinary use:  

Plant qualities: cleansing, cooling, drying, soothing
Plant actions: anti-HIV, anti-cancer, anti-pruritic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, haemostatic / anti-haemorrhagic / styptic, hypoglycaemic / anti-diabetic, vulnerary
Phytochemical constituents: alkaloids, anthraquinone glycoside, catechin, citric acid, ferulic acid, flavonoids, glycosides, hyperoside, malic acid, mesembrine, neohesperidin, phenols, procyanidin, quinic acid, rutin, saponins, tannins, terpenoids

Plant preparations: decoction, dried, fresh, gargle, glycerite, infusion - aqueous, leaf juice, poultice, powder, spray, tincture, wash

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