Carpobrotus rossii

"Karkalla" redirects here. For the town in India, see Karkala.

Carpobrotus rossii
Flower, Cape Raoul, Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Carpobrotus
Species:
C. rossii
Binomial name
Carpobrotus rossii
Synonyms[1]
  • Mesembryanthemum rossii Haw.

Carpobrotus rossii (formerly Mesembryanthemum rossii) is a succulent coastal groundcover plant of the family Aizoaceae. Native to southern Australia, it is known by various common names, including karkalla, pig face, sea fig[2] and beach bananas.[3]

C. rossii can be confused with rounded noon-flower Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum, which has also been erroneously called "karkalla" and "beach bananas" in the Australian native food trade.[4]

Description

Karkalla leaves are succulent, 3.5–10 centimetres (1.4–3.9 inches) long and 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, and curved or rarely straight.[5] The flowers bloom from August through October,[6] are light purple, and are 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.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the states of Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.[6] It can be found year-round in large patches covering sand dunes close to the ocean, due to its hardy nature and salt resistance.[7]

Conservation

Carpobrotus rossii is common on southern Australian coastal sand dunes and is not considered to be at risk.[8]

Uses

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

Extracts of the plant have significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory activity.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b POWO (2024). "Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  2. ^ Carnevale, Tino (12 July 2019). "Bush Foods". Gardening Australia. ABC Gardening Australia.
  3. ^ Celjo, Farah (14 September 2022). "The juicy side of a salty fruit". SBS Food. Special Broadcasting Service.
  4. ^ Gourmet Traveller Team (23 October 2017). "What is karkalla?". Gourmet Traveller. Are Media Pty Ltd.
  5. ^ a b Elliot, W.R.; Jones, D.L. (1982). Encyclopædia of Australian Plants. Vol. 2. ISBN 0-85091-143-5.
  6. ^ a b "Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) Schwantes". Electronic Flora of South Australia Fact Sheet. State Herbarium of South Australia. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Carpobrotus Spp". The Australian Plants Society Tasmania. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  8. ^ "Carpobrotus rossii". Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  9. ^ Geraghty, Dominic P.; Ahuja, Kiran D.K.; Pittaway, Jane; Shing, Cecilia; Jacobson, Glenn A.; Jager, Nynke; Jurković, Saša; Narkowicz, Christian; Saunders, Cassandra I.; Ball, Madeleine; Pinkard, Alex; Vennavaram, Raghu R.; Adams, Murray J. (8 March 2011). "In vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activity of Carpobrotus rossii (pigface) extract". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 134 (1). Elsevier: 97–103. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.11.060. PMID 21130860.