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Carpobrotus muirii (Carpobrotus muirii)

Description

Carpobrotus muirii (commonly known as Dwarf Sourfig or Dwerg Suurvy) is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to a southern coastal strip of the Western Cape, South Africa. Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, and Hottentot plant, is a genus of ground-creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name refers to the edible fruits. It comes from the Ancient Greek karpos "fruit" and brotos "edible". The genus includes some 12 to 20 accepted species. Most are South African, endemics, but there are at least four Australian species and one South American. The Dwarf Sourfig has thinner, narrower leaves, and only occurs in the Western Cape, along the coast from Arniston and De Hoop, as far east as Stilbaai. Here it is found in Strandveld vegetation, usually within ten kilometres of the coast. Its natural range is declining due to alien invasive species and wheat farming.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Caryophyllales

            • Family: Aizoaceae

              • Genus: Carpobrotus