Chilean sea fig
ExplorePlants
Chilean sea fig
Carpobrotus chilensis
The Chilean sea fig is a fun plant that grows near the ocean. Its bright green leaves and colorful flowers make it look like a little treasure on the beach!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Chilean sea fig is a low-growing, mat-forming succulent with thick, fleshy, triangular leaves. It boasts bright, showy flowers, typically yellow or sometimes pinkish-purple, creating a vibrant carpet on coastal landscapes. Its robust growth distinguishes it from delicate dune plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyAizoaceaeGenusCarpobrotus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its tangy fruits, often called "sour figs," were traditionally gathered and enjoyed by indigenous peoples!
Sometimes the flowers start yellow but slowly turn pinkish or purplish as they get older.
The juicy sap from its leaves has been used in folk medicine to soothe stings and burns.
This tough plant can grow incredibly fast, spreading several feet across the sand in just one year!
Special abilities
Ability
Sand Stabilizer
Its strong, spreading roots form a dense mat that holds loose sand together, preventing beach erosion.
Ability
Salt Shield
This plant has special adaptations to tolerate salty air and soil, thriving where most other plants can't survive.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring_summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its bright flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Austral Thrush
Turdus falcklandii
Eats the plant's fleshy, edible fruits.
eats
Degu
Octodon degus
A native rodent that forages on its leaves and stems.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Succulent
Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Chilean sea fig?
10-30 cm
How wide does Chilean sea fig spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Chilean sea fig?
3-5 cm
When does Chilean sea fig bloom?
Spring_summer
Is Chilean sea fig edible?
Yes
Is Chilean sea fig toxic?
None
What is Chilean sea fig's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Chilean sea fig pollinated?
Insect
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