Carpobrotus acinaciformis (commonly known as Elands sourfig, Elandssuurvy or Sally-my-handsome) is a succulentperennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa.
All species of Carpobrotus ("sour fig") form sprawling succulent groundcovers.
The flowers of C. acinaciformis are a bright pink-purple colour. The five calyx lobes are all short, and of relatively similar length (unlike those of C. edulis). The receptacle is sub-globose in shape (rarely slightly oblong), tapering only slightly down to where it meets the stalk. The top of the ovary is often slightly depressed in the centre.
The leaves of C. acinaciformis are stout, scimitar-shaped ("acinaciform") and have the shape of an isosceles triangle in cross-section, if cut perpendicularly. They have a dull glaucous-green colour (sometimes with reddish edges or angles).[1]
Distribution
This species is naturally endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa. Its natural habitat is coastal dunes, from as far north as Melkbosstrand, across the Cape Peninsula, and eastwards to near Mossel Bay. It also occurs more rarely (as a more compact form) inland, from Cape Town to as far east as Riversdale.
To the east of its natural range (east of Mossel Bay), it transitions into the related species Carpobrotus deliciosus. To the west or north of its natural range (north of Melkbosstrand in Cape Town), it transitions into the related species Carpobrotus quadrifidus.
Cultivation
The pink or purple flowers are very showy and the plant is frequently cultivated, especially in mild coastal climates. Its fruits are edible and are used in southern Africa to make a traditional jam. In the wild they are grazed by tortoises and other southern African herbivores. In some areas, such as the south-west of England, it has become naturalised on sea cliffs and can outcompete native species. [2]
The name "Sally-my-handsome" is derived from its former generic name of Mesembryanthemum.
References
^Wisura, W. & Glen, H.F. (1993). The South African species of Carpobrotus (Mesembryanthema-Aizoaceae). Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium15:76–107.
carpobrotus, acinaciformis, commonly, known, elands, sourfig, elandssuurvy, sally, handsome, succulent, perennial, family, aizoaceae, native, south, africa, scientific, classificationkingdom, plantaeclade, tracheophytesclade, angiospermsclade, eudicotsorder, c. Carpobrotus acinaciformis commonly known as Elands sourfig Elandssuurvy or Sally my handsome is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae native to South Africa Carpobrotus acinaciformisScientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsOrder CaryophyllalesFamily AizoaceaeGenus CarpobrotusSpecies C acinaciformisBinomial nameCarpobrotus acinaciformis L L Bolus Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Cultivation 4 ReferencesDescription EditAll species of Carpobrotus sour fig form sprawling succulent groundcovers The flowers of C acinaciformis are a bright pink purple colour The five calyx lobes are all short and of relatively similar length unlike those of C edulis The receptacle is sub globose in shape rarely slightly oblong tapering only slightly down to where it meets the stalk The top of the ovary is often slightly depressed in the centre The leaves of C acinaciformis are stout scimitar shaped acinaciform and have the shape of an isosceles triangle in cross section if cut perpendicularly They have a dull glaucous green colour sometimes with reddish edges or angles 1 Distribution EditThis species is naturally endemic to the Western Cape South Africa Its natural habitat is coastal dunes from as far north as Melkbosstrand across the Cape Peninsula and eastwards to near Mossel Bay It also occurs more rarely as a more compact form inland from Cape Town to as far east as Riversdale To the east of its natural range east of Mossel Bay it transitions into the related species Carpobrotus deliciosus To the west or north of its natural range north of Melkbosstrand in Cape Town it transitions into the related species Carpobrotus quadrifidus Cultivation EditThe pink or purple flowers are very showy and the plant is frequently cultivated especially in mild coastal climates Its fruits are edible and are used in southern Africa to make a traditional jam In the wild they are grazed by tortoises and other southern African herbivores In some areas such as the south west of England it has become naturalised on sea cliffs and can outcompete native species 2 The name Sally my handsome is derived from its former generic name of Mesembryanthemum References Edit Wisura W amp Glen H F 1993 The South African species of Carpobrotus Mesembryanthema Aizoaceae Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 15 76 107 Carpobrotus edulis Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carpobrotus acinaciformis This Aizoaceae article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Carpobrotus acinaciformis amp oldid 1116987193, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
