Family Aizoaceae | Genus Carpobrotus Rank Species | |
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Similar Carpobrotus, Carpobrotus glaucescens, Carpobrotus virescens, Carpobrotus edulis, Tetragonia implexicoma | ||
Carpobrotus rossii, commonly known as karkalla or pig face (Western Australia), is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia.
Contents
Karkalla leaves are succulent, 3.5–10 cm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, and curved or rarely straight. The flowers are light purple in colour, and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. The globular purplish red fruit is about 2.5 cm (1 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide.
Distribution
The species occurs in the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. It can be found year-round in large patches covering sand dunes close to the ocean, due to its hardy nature and salt resistance.
Uses
Aboriginal people eat the fruit traditionally, fresh and dried. The salty leaves were also reported to have been eaten with meat.
Extracts of the plant have significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory activity.
