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Carpobrotus acinaciformis

A very useful ground-hugging succulent with sabre-like leaves and a bright purple flower that is a great ground cover and supports many insect species.

It is cultivated as a succulent lawn-like ground cover and for its edible fruit that can be made into a jam.

Different Carpobrotus species may have been used interchangeably for medicinal purposes in the past. Fresh leaf juice and prepared fruit are used as a mouthwash, gargle, lotion and antiseptic wash. A preparation of the leaves was eaten to treat pulmonary infections. Leaf juice is applied to sores or burns and to stop bleeding. A juice from the leaves was used to treat dysentery. Preparations of both leaf and fruit are used for heat conditions.