Carpobrotus rossii


Carpobrotus rossii is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia. It is known by various common names, including karkalla, pig face, sea fig and beach bananas.
Karkalla leaves are succulent, long and wide, and curved or rarely straight. The flowers are light purple in colour, and wide. The globular purplish red fruit is about long and wide.

Distribution

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

Uses

people eat the fruit traditionally, fresh and dried. The salty leaves were also reported to have been eaten with meat.
Extracts of the plant have significant in vitro antioxidant, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory activity.