Carpobrotus rossii
| Carpobrotus rossii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flower, Cape Raoul, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Carpobrotus |
| Species: | C. rossii |
| Binomial name | |
| Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes | |
Carpobrotus rossii, commonly known as karkalla or pig face (Western Australia), is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia.
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.[1]
Distribution
The species occurs in the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.[2] It can be found year-round in large patches covering sand dunes close to the ocean, due to its hardy nature and salt resistance.[3]
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.[4]
References
- ↑ Elliot, W.R. and D. L. Jones. Encyclopædia of Australian Plants, Vol. 2. 1982. ISBN 0-85091-143-5
- ↑ "Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ↑ "Carpobrotus Spp". The Australian Plants Society Tasmania. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
- ↑ Geraghtya, D. P., et al. (2011) In vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity of Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 134(1) 97-103. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.060