This tough perennial native succulent has beautiful blue-green foliage with large silky white flowers. It is a popular bush tucker plant, and both the fruit and leaves are edible. It makes a good ground cover for a wide variety of situations from embankments to driveways and can also be used as a fire retardant planting for areas close to buildings. It does well on sandy soils and copes well with coastal conditions, and can be used for dune stabilisation. The seed pod turns red when ripe, and has a salty, fruity taste. Does best in a sunny spot to lightly shaded, and likes a well drained soil.
The ripe fruit is best eaten by sucking the seeds and pulp out from the base. The leaves are edible and have a salty crunch, they can be used fresh, steamed or pickled, they team well with meat dishes. The juice from the leaves can be applied to relieve insect bites.
Carpobrotus rossii ‘White Hot’ – Karkalla
Family : Aizoaceae
Cultivar Name: White Hot
Plant Type : Ground cover
Width : 1
Flowering Time : Spring, Summer
Soil Type : Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Potting mix, Saline, Poor soil
Climate Zone : Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid
Growth Habit : Evergreen, Dense foliage, Spreading
Soil Moisture : Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
Special Uses : Edible, Erosion control, Pipe and drain friendly, Fast growing
Scientific Name: Carpobrotus rossii
Common Name : Native Pig Face
Height : 0.4
Flower Color : White
pH Level : Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Courtyard, Poolside, Container growing, Flower garden, Cold climate, Coastal garden, Drought resistant
Light : Sunny, Light shade
Lifespan : Perennial
Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost
Attracts Wildlife : Bees, Other insects