Pig face
This plant growing on the sand dunes is Carpobrotus glaucescens (also known as pigface, ice plant or angular sea fig). And not only is it native to Australia but it is also edible. The red-purple fruit has a flavour described by some as like salty strawberry or kiwi fruit and by others as like salty apples. Its thick, fleshy leaves can also be eaten – raw or cooked (the roasted leaves may be used as a salt substitute) and the juice from the leaves can be used to soothe stings or burnt skin. The juice from the leaves can be mixed with water and used as a gargle for sore throats and mild bacterial infections of the mouth. The fruit has also been used as a laxative.
The prostrate, creeping succulent is one of about 20 species of the genus Carpobrotus, most of which are native to South Africa. Six are indigenous to Australia and this includes C. glaucescens which grows naturally in coastal areas on sand dunes in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Pig face
This plant growing on the sand dunes is Carpobrotus glaucescens (also known as pigface, ice plant or angular sea fig). And not only is it native to Australia but it is also edible. The red-purple fruit has a flavour described by some as like salty strawberry or kiwi fruit and by others as like salty apples. Its thick, fleshy leaves can also be eaten – raw or cooked (the roasted leaves may be used as a salt substitute) and the juice from the leaves can be used to soothe stings or burnt skin. The juice from the leaves can be mixed with water and used as a gargle for sore throats and mild bacterial infections of the mouth. The fruit has also been used as a laxative.
The prostrate, creeping succulent is one of about 20 species of the genus Carpobrotus, most of which are native to South Africa. Six are indigenous to Australia and this includes C. glaucescens which grows naturally in coastal areas on sand dunes in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.