Carpobrotus aequilateralus auct. non (Haw.) N.E. Br.
Mesembryanthemum chilense Molina
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Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E. Br. Sea fig
Sea fig is so named because it occurs along the Pacific coast, and because it produces a fruit like a small fig that, although not especially appetizing, is edible. (Carpobrotus means "edible fruit," and chilensis means "from Chile," rather odd, since it is from South Africa.) It is a native of South Africa. Introduced to North America, it is become naturalized along the west coast, where it is often considered invasive. Identification: Flowers are very colorful, almost fluorescent. Common along the Pacific coast. It is a smaller version of Carpobrotus edulis. These are compared below: |
2/24/2010 · Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California
5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm) |
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| You are here Carpobrotus chilensis |
Carpobrotus edulis |
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| Plant | A few inches high, with stems that creep along the ground, spreading quickly. | 3-4″ (7.6-10 cm) high, with stems that creep along the ground, spreading quickly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flowers | Dark pink or purple. Larger, 1½-2½″ (3.8-6.3 cm) in diameter. | Smaller, 2½-6″ (6.3-15 cm) in diameter, yellow or light pink. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leaves | Triangular cross section, 1½″ (3.8 cm) long | Up to 5″ (13 cm) long, dense, triangular in cross-section. Green or yellow-green leaves may be tinged with red. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fruit | Green to yellowish, roughly oval | About 1½″ (3.8 cm) in diameter, shaped like a spinning top. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Range/ Zones |
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| Habitats | Coastal sage scrub | Coastal sage scrub | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Wild | Wild | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occurrence | Common, fairly invasive | Invasive in California, Australia, and the Mediterranean | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Online References:
The Oregon Flora Image Project
The California Invasive Plant Council
2/24/2010 · Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad, California 
ID is uncertain 
Carpobrotus chilensis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
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Range: Zones 9b-11:
