Citation: L. Bolus, Fl. Pl.S. Afr. 7:pl. 247 (1927).

Synonymy: Mesembryanthemum edule L., Syst. Nat. edn 10, 2:1060 (1759).

Common name: Hottentot fig.

Description:
Stems to c. 2 m long, 8-13 mm thick; leaves dull-green, about equilateral near the middle, the keel prominently serrulate at least in the upper part, mostly 4-8 cm long, 8-17 mm wide.

Flowers 7-8.5 cm diam., peduncles 10-20 mm long; ovary turbinate or oblong-turbinate; perianth lobes 5, to 4.5 cm long, the longer with serrulate keels; petaloid staminodes 120-130, at first yellow, becoming pink and nearly white at the base, densely streaked throughout when dry; stamens 400-600; styles 8-10.

Fruit dull-yellowish, subhemispherical to subglobose, c. 25-30 mm long; seeds 1.1-1.6 mm long.

Image source: fig. 107 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Distribution:    along the coast of W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   Native to South Africa; naturalised in North America, Europe, New Zealand. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: mainly Sept. — Jan.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: Commonly grown as a garden ornamental and to bind sand.

Author: Not yet available