# sea fig (*Carpobrotus edulis*) The sea fig is a fun plant that grows along the coast. It has thick, juicy leaves and pretty yellow or pink flowers that bloom in the summer. This plant loves sunny places and can help keep the sand in place! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Hottentot Fig, Pigface, Sea Figs ![sea fig](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Carpobrutus_edulis_b.JPG&width=800) Photo: Taken by Carsten Niehaus ( user:Lumbar )., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carpobrutus_edulis_b.JPG) ## Appearance The sea fig is a sprawling succulent with thick, fleshy, three-angled leaves that form dense mats. Its vibrant, daisy-like flowers are typically bright yellow or magenta, standing out against the glossy green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Aizoaceae - **Genus:** Carpobrotus ## Interesting facts - Its juicy fruit was once used by sailors to prevent scurvy on long voyages! - Originally from South Africa, this tough plant now grows on coasts worldwide! - Sea fig can help stop erosion by anchoring sandy soils with its strong roots! - Some call it 'ice plant' because its glistening leaves look like they're covered in ice! ## Special abilities - **Salt-Resistant Survivor:** Sea fig can thrive in salty coastal soils because it has special cells to store and excrete excess salt. - **Water Hoarder:** Sea fig has thick, succulent leaves that store precious water, helping it survive long periods of drought. - **Rapid Spreader:** Sea fig can quickly cover large areas, thanks to its fast-growing, rooting stems that spread aggressively. - **Fruit Disperser:** Sea fig produces tasty, edible fruits that attract animals, which then help spread its seeds to new locations. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 100-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 5-10 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits its bright flowers to collect nectar and pollen. - **Eats:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Enjoy the sweet, tangy fruits of the sea fig. - **Eats:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Grazes on its fleshy leaves and stems, especially new growth. - **Eats:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Feeds on the succulent leaves and stems of the plant. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify sea fig? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is sea fig? 10-30 cm ### How wide does sea fig spread? 100-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on sea fig? 5-10 cm ### When does sea fig bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is sea fig edible? Yes ### Is sea fig toxic? None ### What is sea fig's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Mission Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mission-hills) — California, US · Historic Site - [Ocean Beach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ocean-beach) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Cabrillo Heights Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-heights-park) — California, US · Park - [Serra Mesa Community Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/serra-mesa-community-park) — California, US · Park [View all places to see sea fig](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sea-fig) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Sea Fig: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sea-fig)