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Angular Pigface

Carpobrotus glaucescens

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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-27.3399, 153.08

Field Notes

Description:

Carpobrotus glaucescens, known as Pigface or Angular Pigface, is a member of the Family Aizoaceae. It is a prostrate, creeping succulent, found growing naturally in coastal areas on sand dunes along the NSW and Queensland coast. There are 6 species of this genus that are native to Australia. It's very salt tolerant and is able to withstand salt spray, strong winds, and sand blast. As this wetland area is subject to tidal flooding, this spotting is well adapted to high-salt conditions, growing on sandy soil.

Habitat:

Boondall Wetlands Reserve - http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/natural-environment/en… The trees in this spotting location are predominantly She-oak (casuarina) and Melaleuca species. This is on the very edge of a salt flat area, so the other dominant ground cover species is marine couch (grass).

Notes:

Spotted with my PN buddies Shanna Bignell and Pamela Sai. Thank you both for such a wonderful day :-)

Reference Links:

Carpobrotus glaucescens, Carpobrotus glaucescens - Growing Native Plants

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
Neil Ross
Oh, and in Australia, edible bush food is caller "bush tucker". If you know where to look, it is everywhere.
Neil Ross
Thank you. There are a few Australian native species, but I think the bulk of species are from South Africa. I was there one spring in an are called the Little Karoo, and Pigface were everywhere! A truly magical sight to see.
Wandering Naturalist
This plant is used as a groundcover ornamental here and is found growing wild in coastal areas here as well. It is so neat to know where they are native. I've also known it to be edible, both stems and fruit. A sort of "bush food" or survival food. The name Carpobrotus comes from the Greek for "edible fruit".
pamsai
hehehe, those butterflies surely can be frustrating! Lovely alternative...
Neil Ross
This is when Shanna and yourself were stalking butterflies. They don't like me much, so I spotted me a Pigface instead. At least it was still and didn't frustrate me. This was in the same area, and is where Shanna told me to stick my hand in the hole. So cheeky! :-)
pamsai
Wow, I didn't notice this Pigface, Neil... beautiful shot. Spotter supreme!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flowers of Oceania
Mission
Wilds of South-East Queensland
Mission
Wildlife of Brisbane
Mission
Mission WILD
Mission
Australian Native Flowers and Fruits

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 31, 2014

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