planted into blue tub with 1/2 sand, 15l soil conditioner, 20L native potting mix, 5L regular potting mix and pea straw mulch
Pigface; Carpobrutus rossi, also known as- noonflower, iceplant and cutwort. Widely used and a prized food of many coastal australian aboriginals. There are 4 main Australian species in addition to C. rossi;
C. aequilaterus – correct noonflower
C. glaucescens- (NSW, QLD)
C. modestus- Inland Pigface, drought resistant (Vic, SA, WA)
C. virescens- shrubby pigface often found on offshore islands (SW Aust)
C. edulis- South African but now naturalised in many parts of Australia- invasive. Yellow and white flowers.
They are all expected to have similar chemical composition however I could only find proper research on the rossi and edulis varieties.
LEAVES
1. Edible leaves have a mildly salty, juicy pulp; proven- antioxidant, anti scurvy (Vit.C) and anti platelet.
2. Use like aloe vera externally; shown anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. Mucilaginous, good for stings, snake bites, burns.
3. Make tincture / concentrate- several closely related species show antibacterial properties (C.edulis+ co.). Great possibilities but external only for now- due to lack of toxicity information.
4. Make jam/jelly with pulp. Eat in salad or stirfry. Chop and use as a relish with meat. Pickle like cucumbers.
FRUITS AND FLOWERS
5. Flowers and fruits sweet and edible. Tastes like salty kiwifruit, figs or strawberries. No known research on properties or nutrient value of these. Possibly high in vitamin C. Squeeze bottom of fruit into mouth to collect the juice, seeds and fruit. Discard skin.
6. Make jam/chutney with flowers and fruits.Combo with pulp possibly. Icecream syrups and other sweets possible.
7. Beautiful (usually purple) flowers, profuse in summer and autumn and sporadic at all other times of year, attract bees and other pollinators.
Note- please do your own research before trying any of these ideas. Info collected for my interest only, If you know of any other uses, please let me know!
**-saw one that looked the same as mine at a nursery today (12/6/11) labelled c.virescens, so now I’m not sure which of the varieties I have.
Photos
Collections
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Indigenous garden [Archived]
Planting Data
Milestones
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30 Mar 2012
Dying day 299
bad scale has got to it and I didn’t notice. Think it’s too late.
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22 Sep 2011
Growing day 109
recovered from caterpillars, tripled in size.
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19 Jul 2011
Under Attack day 44
thought it was rot but it is actually a caterpillar eating the outside of the leaf!
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19 Jul 2011
Treating day 44
derris dust
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05 Jun 2011
Sown day 0
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05 Jun 2011
Mulching day 0
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05 Jun 2011
Reviewed day 0
Hardy, good for coastal areas, pretty flowers which are edible, can be invasive in a garden bed, staple food of traditional aboriginals, drought hardy once established. Perfect for large pots in sun.
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