Carpobrotus dimidiatus (Haw.) L.Bolus

Carpobrotus dimidiatus is a sturdy, trailing plant characterised by succulent, green, three-sided leaves. It can spread across extensive areas, forming a resilient ground cover that can withstand drought and salt exposure. Its large, glossy, mauve flowers emerge individually on more or less upright flowering branches. The genus, Carpobrotus, is associated with the plant’s fruit and originates from the Greek words karpos and brotas, which signify fruit and edible, respectively. The ethnobotanical usage of C. dimidiatus includes juicing the leaves for wound healing, burns and toothache. The leaves of this plant have been shown to contain flavonoids and condensed tannins, especially catechol tannins. It has been reported that extracts of C. dimidiatus leaves exhibited antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.