Carpobrotus edulis, Cape fig, Hottentot fig, Cape fig, Fig-marigold, Highway ice plant

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 15 min read

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Cape Fig Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Cape fig Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Types in simple medical language.
This article explains Different Methods of Controls in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

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Carpobrotus edulis, Cape fig or Hottentot fig, is a ground-creeping plant is a member of the fig-marigold family Aizoaceae, one of about 30 species in the genus Carpobrotus. It was previously classified in Mesembryanthemum and is sometimes referred to by this name: Mesembryanthemum edule. It is a creeping, mat-forming herb native to South Africa, but has been established in many coolers, very sandy soiled, Mediterranean regions of California and Australia. A few of the popular common names of the plant are Cape fig, Fig-marigold, Highway ice plant, Hottentot fig, Ice plant, Sour fig, Pigface, Yellow-flowering sour fig, Freeway ice plant, kaffir fig and introduced pigface. The name Carpobrotus means ‘edible fruit’.

Cape Fig Facts

Name	Cape fig
Scientific Name	Carpobrotus edulis
Native	South Africa, but has naturalized in many cooler, very sandy soiled, Mediterranean regions of California and Australia
Common Names	Cape fig, Fig-marigold, Highway ice plant, Hottentot fig, Ice plant, Sour fig, Pigface, Yellow-flowering sour fig, Freeway iceplant, kaffir fig, introduced pigface
Name in Other Languages	Afrikaans: Goenavy, Hottentotsvy, Paardefeige, Suurvy, Zuurefeige Catalan: Figues d’hotentots, Bàlsam, Bàlsam de ungla de gat, Dents de lleó Chinese: Shí yòng rì zhōng huā (食用日中花) Dutch: Hottentotvijg English: Cape fig, Fig-marigold, Highway ice plant, Hottentot fig, Ice plant, Sour fig, Pigface, Yellow-flowering sour fig, Freeway iceplant, kaffir fig Finnish: Viikunapäivikki, Hottentottiviikuna French: Croc de sorcière, Doigt de sorcière, Ficoïde comestible, Figue marine, Figuier des Hottentots, Griffe de sorcière German: Gelbe Mittagsblume, Hexenfinger, Hottentottenfeige, Mittagsblume, Pferdefeige Greek: Enkatastáseis (Εγκαταστάσεις), págou (πάγου), Ottentotikó sýko (Οττεντοτικό σύκο) Hebrew: צלקנית נאכלת Italian: Fico degli Ottentotti, Fico edulee Portuguese: Bálsamo, Chorão-das-praias, Russian: Karpobrotus s’edobnyj (Карпобротус съедобный), Mezembriantemum s’edobnyj (Mезембриантемум сьедобный) South Africa: Cape fig, ghaukum, ghoenavy, hottentosvy, ikhambi-lamabulawo, kaapsevy, rankvy, sour fig, suurvy, umgongozi, vyerank Spanish: Hierba del cuchillo, Higo del Cabo, Higo marino, doca, balsamo, patat frita, Bálsamo, Diente de león Swedish: Gul middagsblomma UK: Sally-my-handsome USA: Freeway iceplant Welsh: Ffigysen yr Hotentot Zulu: Ikhambi-lamabulawo, Umgongozi
Plant Growth Habit	Moderately vigorous, creeping, upright branched, mat forming succulent
Growing Climates	Coastal dunes, coastal habitats, on cliffs, sand-dunes, salt marshes, coastal scrubs, roadsides and railway lines inland, winter-wet depressions, sandy pastures, open woodlands, cliffs and river estuaries
Soil	Flat, sandy ground, on loose sand dunes, lime-rich and brackish soils, and gravelly gardens, as well as in containers, rockeries, and embankments, and will cascade over terrace walls
Plant Size	1 feet tall and about 5 feet wide
Root	Shallow, fibrous roots
Stem	Spreading or prostrate, about 8-13 mm in diameter and up to 2 m long forming large mats, sometimes rooting at the nodes
Leaf	Succulent, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and up to 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) thick, sharply 3-angled and triangular in cross-section, opposite, slightly connate at the base, bright green or slightly glaucous, waxy, often tinged red along edges and becoming generally reddish or orange with age
Flowering season	May to July
Flower	Solitary, 100-150 mm in diameter, yellow, fading to pale pink, produced mainly during late winter-spring (August-October). They open in the morning in bright sunlight, and close at night.
Fruit Shape & Size	Fleshy, indehiscent and edible fruit, 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter, shaped like a spinning top, on a winged stalk
Fruit Color	Green when young turning to yellow as they mature
Seed	1 x 1.5 mm, dark brown when ripe, obovate, flat, finely reticulate, on a funicle, 2-3 mm
Propagation	By Seed and stem cuttings
Flavor/Aroma	Pleasant fragrance
Taste	Salty and tangy taste
Plant Parts Used	Leaves, flowers and fruit
Season	August to September
Varieties	Carpobrotus acinaciformis Carpobrotus deliciosus Carpobrotus dimidiatus Carpobrotus mellei Carpobrotus muirii Carpobrotus quadrifidus

Cape fig Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Carpobrotus edulis

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Subdivision	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass	Caryophyllidae
Superorder	Caryophyllanae
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Aizoaceae (Fig-marigold family)
Genus	Carpobrotus N.E. Br. (carpobrotus)
Species	Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus (hottentot fig)
Synonyms	Abryanthemum edule (L.) Rothm Carpobrotus edulis (L.) L. Bolus Carpobrotus edulis var. chrysophthalmus C.D.Preston & P.D.Sell Mesembryanthemum edule L

Carpobrotus is derived from the Greek word karpos, meaning fruit, and broths, meaning edible. The Latin word, edulis, means edible, and parviflorus means small flowers. The Afrikaan’s common names ghaukum and ghoenavy come from old Khoi names for the plant. The name Hotnotsvy (Hottentots fig) was in use as long ago as 1685 and is probably derived from the fact that the colonists observed the Khoikhoi using this plant and eating its fruits. It got the name vy (meaning fig and pronounced fay) because the developing fruits superficially resemble figs but it is in no way related to figs (Ficus species, family Moraceae, the mulberry and fig family). It is now considered to be an invasive plant by the California Invasive Plant Council.

Plant Description

Cape fig is a moderately vigorous, creeping, upright branched, mat-forming succulent species and member of the fig-marigold family Aizoaceae that grows about 1 foot tall and about 5 feet wide. The plant is found growing in coastal dunes, coastal habitats, on cliffs, sand dunes, salt marshes, coastal scrubs, roadsides and railway lines inland, winter-wet depressions, sandy pastures, open woodlands, cliffs and river estuaries. The plant prefers flat, sandy ground, on loose sand dunes, lime-rich and brackish soils, and gravelly gardens, as well as in containers, rockeries, and embankments, and will cascade over terrace walls. The plant has shallow and fibrous roots. Stems are spreading or prostrate, about 8-13 mm in diameter and up to 2 m long forming large mats, sometimes rooting at the nodes.

Leaves

The fleshy (i.e. succulent) leaves are stalkless (i.e. sessile) and oppositely arranged along the stems. Elongated leaves are succulent, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) thick, sharply 3-angled and triangular in cross-section, opposite, slightly connate at the base, bright green or slightly glaucous, waxy, often tinged red along edges and becoming generally reddish or orange with age. Adaxial and lateral surfaces are distinctly concave; keel denticulate, sometimes only in upper portion; tips obtuse to acute. The stems and leaves are also hairless (i.e. glabrous).

Flower

The large and showy yellow flowers (7-8.5 cm across) are borne singly at the tips of short side branches (i.e. solitary and terminal on lateral branches). They are borne on a fleshy stalk (i.e. they are pedicellate) and have numerous false ‘petals’ (30-35 mm long and 1.5-2.5 mm wide). The true petals resemble the fleshy (i.e. succulent) leaves and their bases are fused into a tube (i.e. perianth tube) 15-25 mm long around the ovary. Two of these petals are larger about 20-45 mm long, almost opposite, and closely resemble the leaves. The structures that mimic petals are actually derived from modified stamens (i.e. they are petaloid staminodes). There are about 120-130 of these in each flower and they are arranged in 3-5 rows. They are yellow with whitish-colored bases but may turn pinkish with age. Each flower also has very large numbers of stamens (i.e. approx. 400-600) that are arranged in about 6 or 7 rows. The ovary has 8-10 compartments and is topped with the same number of styles (7-15 mm long). The flowering period extends from late summer to winter.

Fruits

Fertile flowers are followed by fleshy (i.e. succulent), globular or sub-globose fruit that is about 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter, shaped like a spinning top, on a winged stalk. Fruit is initially green turning to yellowish to reddish-purple in color as they mature. These fruit consists of numerous seeds that are embedded in the sticky, sweet, jelly-like mucilage. The fruits can be eaten fresh and they have a strong, astringent, salty, sour taste. They are not as tasty as those of C. acinaciform and C. delicious which are sweeter.

Types

1. Carpobrotus acinaciformis

Carpobrotus acinaciformis has purple flowers, robust, short, greyish green, sabre-shaped leaves and tasty edible fruits. It is used to make a delicious jam, and grows in coastal sands usually close to the sea, in the Western Cape, from Saldanha to Mossel Bay.

2. Carpobrotus deliciosus

Carpobrotus deliciosus has purple, pink or white flowers, almost straight, reddish green leaves and sweet fruits that make excellent sour fig preserve. It grows on sand dunes and in rocky grassland along the southern and eastern coast of South Africa from Riversdale in the Western Cape through the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal.

3. Carpobrotus dimidiatus

Carpobrotus dimidiatus has rose-purple flowers and grows on dunes in the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.

4. Carpobrotus mellei

Carpobrotus mellei is the only species that occurs in the fynbos on sandstone mountain slopes inland, it is found only in the Western Cape in the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the Langeberg and the Swartberg. It has pink or purple flowers, narrow small leaves and a small club-shaped fruit.

5. Carpobrotus muirii

Carpobrotus muirii is similar to Carpobrotus deliciosus but has narrower leaves and is only found only in the Strandveld in the Western Cape, from De Hoop to Stillbaai.

6. Carpobrotus quadrifidus

Carpobrotus quadrifidus (including C. sauerae), has large violet-pink, pale pink or white flowers-the largest flower found in the family Mesembryanthemaceae-and straight, stubby grey leaves and grows in sandy lowlands along the west coast from southern Namaqualand in the Northern Cape to Saldanha in the Western Cape.

Traditional uses and benefits of Cape Fig

Leaf juice is mixed with water and swallowed to treat diarrhea, dysentery and stomach cramps.
It is used as a gargle to relieve laryngitis, sore throat and mouth infections.
Chewing a leaf tip and swallowing the juice is enough to ease a sore throat.
Leaf juice or a crushed leaf is a famous soothing cure for blue-bottle stings-being a coastal plant it is luckily often on hand in times of such emergencies.
Leaf juice is used as a soothing lotion for burns, bruises, scrapes, cuts, grazes and sunburn, ringworm, eczema, dermatitis, sunburn, herpes, nappy rash, thrush, cold sores, cracked lips, chafing, skin conditions and allergies.
An old and apparently very powerful remedy for constipation is to eat fruits and then drink brackish water.
Syrup made from the fruit is said to have laxative properties.
Mixture of leaf juice, honey and olive oil in water is an old remedy for TB.
Leaf juice also relieves the itch from mosquito, tick and spider bites both for people and their animal companions.
The Khoikhoi took an infusion of the fruits during pregnancy to ensure a strong, healthy baby and an easy birth and muddy leaf sap over the head of a new-born child to make it nimble and strong.
In the Eastern Cape it is also used to treat insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes, and diphtheria.
Sap obtained from the leaves is antiseptic which can heal wounds, insect bites and stings by applying it on the skin.
Juice from the leaves also has astringent properties which helps soothe the skin.
Respiratory blocks can be treated by inhaling the steam after boiling the leaves.
It can be used for making skin ointments which can effectively treat psoriasis and other skin ailments.
Sun burns might be treated using extracts of this plant.
Natives in Eastern Cape use it as remedies for disorders like diphtheria and insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes.
For constipation, an age old remedy was to consume the fruit followed with salty water. A known laxative is syrup made from it.
As the leaves are antiseptic, their juice can be mingled in water and gargled to alleviate sore throat and mouth infections.
Leaves are very useful component of this plant that has been used for addressing cystic ailments and pulmonary disorders.
Fresh juice of the leaves or preparations based on the fruit is currently used for gargles, as a mouthwash or antiseptic solution.
Leaf juice is also applied for the treatment of sores and wounds from scalds or burns, and as a cicatrizant.
Fruit preparations are used orally for the treatment of tuberculosis or other’ lung infections.
Mixed preparations of leaves and fruit of Hottentot figs are generally administered for treating heart diseases and are used as mouthwashes or for gargles in the case of sore-throats or stomatitis.
Astringent juice of the leaves has been used to treat cuts, eczema, insect bites, ringworm and sunburn, and taken with water, it has been used for diarrhea and sore throat.

Culinary uses

Fruit can be consumed raw, cooked, dried for later use or made into pickles, chutney etc.
There is very little flesh in the fruit and it must be fully ripe otherwise it is very astringent.
Leaves can be consumed raw or cooked.
Succulent, they are eaten in salads and can also be used as a substitute for pickled cucumber.
In South Africa the astringent fruits are made into jam, pickle or chutney.

Other facts

Each fruit consists of between 1000 and 1800 seeds.
It is used in maritime areas to prevent soil erosion in sandy soils.
Plants form a dense carpet and make an effective ground cover.
It can be grown as a fire barrier in areas subject to forest fires, it is moderately fire retardant.
It is a popular plant for growth as an ornamental or for ground cover.
Curries can also be made with the fruit.
Due to its showy features, this plant had been planted in gardens and sold via nurseries.
The plant can efficiently tighten soil and act as an embankment stabilizer apart from being draught-resistant, which is why they are cultivated.
They can also help in stopping forest fires from spreading, which is another reason why they are grown.

Different Methods of Controls

Physical control

a. Manual methods

Cape fig is easily removed by hand pulling, making it a good target for community or school group restoration projects. Because the plant can grow roots and shoots from any node, all live shoot segments must be removed from contact with the soil to prevent re-sprouting. If removal is not possible, mulching with the removed plant material is sufficient to prevent most re-sprouting, but requires at least one follow-up visit to remove re-sprouts.

b. Mechanical methods

Mechanical removal by bobcat or tractor is effective for areas in which there are no sensitive resources, though in order to prevent significant soil removal, the use of a brush rake attached to the scoop is recommended. Mechanical removal is effective at any time of year.

c. Prescribed burning

Because of the high water content of shoot tissues, burning of live or dead plants is not a useful method of control or disposal. Attempts to control Carpobrotus edulis by solarization or freezing also have been found to be ineffective.

Biological control

a. Insects and fungi

There are currently no biological controls for Carpobrotus edulis. The iceplant scale insects, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi and P. delottoi, have a small impact on some individuals, but would likely not be useful as a control tool. Additionally, occasional parasitism by dodder can be seen, but its impact appears to be minimal.

b. Grazing

Because of the salty and astringent quality of the leaves and the fibrous to woody quality of stems, grazing is improbable to be an effective control for Cape fig.

Chemical control

The herbicide glyphosate has been effectively used to kill Carpobrotus edulis clones at concentrations of 2 percent or higher. Addition of 1 percent surfactant to break apart the cuticle on the leaves increases mortality. Mortality reportedly is greater when the water utilized is more acidic. Adding an acidifier to hard water before mixing with glyphosate can increase the effectiveness of the treatment. It takes several weeks for the clones to die off, and re-sprouting can occur from apparently dead individuals for several months afterward. Spraying should be avoided in areas in which native species are interspersed with Cape fig clones. Impacts to native species can be reduced by treating Cape fig in early or mid-winter when most native plants are dormant. Subsequent growth from seedlings needs to be controlled.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Use oral rehydration solution and safe fluids to prevent dehydration.
Continue safe, light food as tolerated.
Seek care for children, older adults, pregnancy, or chronic illness.

OTC medicine safety

ORS is usually safer than unnecessary antibiotics for simple watery diarrhea.
Do not use anti-diarrhea stopping medicines if there is blood in stool or high fever unless a doctor advises.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Blood in stool, severe dehydration, persistent vomiting, very low urine, or lethargy needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.