Alternative Names. Hottentot Fig, Fig-marigold, Sour Fig,
Cape Fig.
General Biology. Growth form. Herb. Life
form. Perennial. Reproduction. Primarily seed, also stem
fragments. Dispersal. Rabbits, rats, birds, other mammals,
inappropriate or inadvertant restoration planting, garden refuse. Seedbank
persistence. 2+ years.
Notes. Naturalised in many parts of the world. Is invasive
primarily in coastal habitats. Can have strong negative effects on the
germination, survival, growth, and reproduction of other species. Capable of
directly smothering native flora, suppressing regeneration, outcompeting and/or
hybridising with native Carpobrotus species. Forms impenetrable mats
that break down over time, increasing soil organic matter and altering nutrient
dynamics, allowing new non-native species to invade. Also capable of reducing
soil pH. Dense fibrous root systems interfere with water uptake by other plants.
Can prevent sand movement, which hinders the natural processes in dune
environments. Flowers are monoecious (both male and female parts), only open in
the afternoon and are pollinated by bees and beetles. Established plants are
highly drought, wind and salt spray resistant. Moderately fire-retardant and
relies upon disturbance such as fire to open up vegetative cover. Once
established it is competitively superior to native species particularly grasses
and herbs. It has high vegetative reproduction rates. Produces fleshy
indehiscent fruit in spring/summer which remains on the plant until autumn when
it is eaten and dipersed by a variety of mammals. It can establish from fresh or
significantly dehydrated small stem fragments. Hybridises with related native
and naturalised species. Hybrids are very successful invaders of Californian
plant communities - they produce more fruit per clone, have larger fruits and
enhanced survival of seed after gut passage through frugivores.
Additional information. Origin. South Africa.
History of use/introduction. Ornamental, ersoion control, medicines,
food. Similar exotic species. Carpobrotus aequilaterus.
Similar native species. C. virescens, C. rossii.
Suggested method of management and control. Manual methods
appear to be the most effective means of control. Roll up large mats removing
all roots and stem fragments and remove from site. Follow up with removal of any
germinating plants. Otherwise spray with glyphosate at 2% + surfactant. Read the
manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides.
For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your
situation or state.
Management Calendar
Calendar Type |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Comments |
Active Growth |
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
Germination |
|
|
|
U |
U |
U |
U |
U |
U |
|
|
|
|
Flowering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Fruiting |
Y |
O |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
Manual Removal |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Herbicide Treatment |
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly,
O = Occasionally, U =
Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
References
- Anon. (2010) Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L.Bolus, Aizoaceae. Pacific
Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) URL: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/carpobrotus_edulis.htm
- Accessed February 2010.
- Au, L. (2000) Carpobrotus edulis in coastal California plant
communities. Restoration and Reclamation Review,
6 Student On-line Journal URL: http://horticulture.cfans.umn.edu/vd/h5015/rrr.htm
- Accessed February 2008.
- Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to
their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
- Brusati, E. & Warner, P. (2005) California Invasive Plant Assessment
Form: Carpbrotus edulis L. (Bolus). California Invasive Plant
Council URL: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Carpobrotus%20edulis.pdf
- Accessed February 2010.
- California Invasive Plant Council (2006) Invasive Plants of California's
Wildland: Carpobrotus edulis. URL: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/ipcw/pages/detailreport.cfm@usernumber=25&surveynumber=182.php
- Accessed April 2010.
- Conser, C. & Edward, F. (2009) Assessing the residual effects of
Carpobrotus edulis invasion, implications for restoration.
Biological Invasions, 11 (2): 349-358.
- D’Antonio, C.M. (1990) Seed production and dispersal in the non-native,
invasive succulent Carpobrotus edulis (Aizoaceae) in coastal strand
communities of central California. Journal of Applied Ecology,
27: 693-702.
- D’Antonio, C.M. (1993) Mechanisms controlling invasion of coastal plant
communities by the alien succulent Carpobrotus edulis.
Ecology, 74 (1): 83-95.
- D'Antonio, C.M. & Mahall, B.E. (1991) Root profiles and competition
between the invasive exotic perennial Carpobrotus edulis and two native
shrub species in California USA coastal shrubland. American Journal of
Botany, 78 (7): 885-894.
- D'Antonio, C.M., Odion, D.C. & Tyler, C.M. (1993) Invasion of maritime
chaparall by the introduced succulent Carpobrotus edulis: The role of
fire and herbivory. Oecologia, 95 (1): 14-21.
- Guerreiro, A.R. (1977) Evaluation trials for herbicides to control
hottentot-fig (Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br.). In Proceedings II
Simposio Nacional de Herbologia, Oeiras, 1976-77. Volume III, 125-134. 18
ref.
- Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D.
(2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd
Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
- Malan, C. & Notten, A. (2006) Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L.Bolus.
South African National Biodiversity Institute URL: http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/voteplant.php
- Accessed February 2010.
- Maltez-Mouro, M., Maestre, F.T. & Freitas, H. (2009) Weak effects of the
exotic invasive Carpobrotus edulis on the structure and composition of
Portuguese sand-dune communities. Biological Invasions,
0: 1387-3547.
- National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC
Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) (2006) Global Invasive Species
Database: Carpobrotus edulis (succulent). Invasive Species
Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission URL: http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?fr=1&si=1010
- Accessed February 2010.
- Plants for a Future (Undated) Carpobrotus edulis - L. Bolus.
Hottentot Fig. Plants for a Future URL: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Carpobrotus+edulis
- Accessed February 2010.
- USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources
Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory,
Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
- Accessed October 2009.
- Van Grunsven, R.H.A., Bos, F., Ripley, B.S., Suehs, C.M. & Veenendaal,
E.M. (2009) Release from soil pathogens plays an important role in the success
of invasive Carpobrotus in the Mediterranean. South African Journal
of Botany, 75: 172-175.
- Vila, M. & D'Antonio, C.M. (1998) Fruit choice and seed dipsersal of
invasive versus non-invasive Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae) in coastal
California. Ecology, 79 (3): 1053-1060.
- Vila, M., Weber, E. & D'Antonio, C.M. (1998) Flowering and mating
systems in hybridizing Carpobrotus (Aizoaceae) in coastal California.
Canadian Journal of Botany, 76 (7): 1165-1169.
- Wann, J.M. & Bell, D.T. (1997) Dietary preferences of the black-gloved
wallaby (Macropus irma) and the western grey kangaroo (M.
fuliginosus) in Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia. Journal of the
Royal Society of Western Australia, 80: 55-62.