Carpobrotus rossii

Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Divisio: Magnoliophyta
Classis: Magnoliopsida
Ordo: Caryophyllales
Familia: Aizoaceae
Genus: Carpobrotus
Species: C. rossii

Carpobrotus rossii, commonly known as Karkalla or Pig Face (Western Australia), is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia.

Karkalla leaves are succulent, 3.5–10 cm (1.4–3.9 in) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, curved or rarely straight. Flowers are light purple in colour, and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. The globular purplish red fruit is about 2.5 cm (1 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide.[1]

Distribution

The species occurs in the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.[2] Found year round in large patches covering sand dunes close to the ocean, due to its hardy nature and salt resistance.[3]

Uses

Aboriginal people eat the fruit traditionally, fresh and dried. The salty leaves were also reported to have been eaten with meat.

Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) extract has significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and, potentially, anti-inflammatory activity.[4]

References

^ Elliot, W.R., Jones, D.L., Encyclopædia of Australian Plants, Vol. 2, 1982 ISBN 0-85091-143-5
^ "Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
^ "Carpobrotus Spp". The Australian Plants Society Tasmania. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
^ Dominic P. Geraghtya, Kiran D.K. Ahujaa, Jane Pittawaya, Cecilia Shinga, Glenn A. Jacobsonb, Nynke Jagerb, Saša Jurkovića, Christian Narkowiczb, Cassandra I. Saundersa, Madeleine Balla, Alex Pinkarda, Raghu R. Vennavaramb and Murray J. Adamsa., "In vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity of Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) extract"Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 134, Issue 1, 8 March 2011, Pages 97-103 doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.060