Carpobrotus edulis
Common name
ice plant
Family
Aizoaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
CAREDU
Conservation status
Not applicable
Habitat
Terrestrial. Coastal
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland).
FACU: Facultative Upland
Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands (non-wetlands).
Features
Mat-forming trailing perennial herb. Stems to about 6 m long, occasionally rooting, subwoody at base. Leaves sharply 3-angled. Flowers 8-10 cm diameter, petals pale yellow turning pink with age.
Similar taxa
Very similar to C. chilensis but can be distinguished when flowering by its yellow rather than purple petals, fading to dull pink.
Flowering
October, November, December, January, February
Flower colours
Red/Pink, Yellow
Year naturalised
1883
Origin
S. Africa
Etymology
carpobrotus: From the Greek karpos ‘fruit’ and brotus ‘edible’, the fruits of some species being edible.
National Pest Plant Accord species
This plant is listed in the 2020 National Pest Plant Accord. The National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) is an agreement to prevent the sale and/or distribution of specified pest plants where either formal or casual horticultural trade is the most significant way of spreading the plant in New Zealand. For up to date information and an electronic copy of the 2020 Pest Plant Accord manual (including plant information and images) visit the MPI website.
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental.
Life Cycle Comments
Perennial.