Carpobrotus chilensis (Molina) N.E.Br.
Purple-flowered iceplant (Carpobrotus chilensis) is a long-lived, evergreen succulent that is native to South America. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1969. The plant forms dense mats with trailing stems that root where they contact the ground. It has fleshy, three-sided leaves and flowers from spring to summer, producing large purple, daisy-like flowers, which develop into fleshy fruits containing numerous seeds. It tolerates drought, wind, salt spray and sandy soils. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively from creeping stems. Seeds are dispersed by animals that eat the fruit. Creeping stems are spread by soil movement, dumped garden waste and other human activities, and stem fragments readily produce new plants.
This description has been automatically generated using information from trusted sources. If you notice any errors or omissions, please let us know.