CARPOBROTUS edulis

Rustic succulent, perennial, native to South Africa with ground cover and rapid growth It consists of numerous branched stems with a prostrate course, which are covered with fleshy, green, triangular section leaves, longer and more developed than those of C. acinaciformis: in width it knows no limits of development, while its height is not excessive, being able to reach a maximum of 20cm. The large and showy flowers, with corolla formed by numerous very thin yellow petals, bloom copiously at the axil of the leaves in late spring. The botanical name derives from the Greek and means "edible fruit"; the common name "fig of the Hottentots" instead, derives from the custom of the ancient South African people of the "Hottentots" to eat the fruits of this plant just as if they were figs. It requires a very bright location and poor, sandy and perfectly drained soil.

It requires a very bright location and poor, sandy and perfectly drained soil. It overcomes long periods of drought very well, as well as endures the proximity of the sea with its brackish winds. Care must be taken and sheltered locations should be chosen or sheltered in regions subject to long lasting low winter temperatures. In spring, it may be enough to eliminate broken or damaged branches and leaves and perhaps shorten the branches, just topping them, in order to allow a more dense development of this ground cover. Suitable on terraces and balconies in pots and containers from whose edges it can fall dressing them, excellent results can be obtained in the open ground by using it in rocks, or together with other succulents and cacti of various kinds to cover the base.