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Carpobrotus edulis at Budleigh Salterton

Carpobrotus

Common names include Sea Fig, Western Iceplant, Coastal Iceplant, Baby Sun-Rose, Angled Pigface, I can't understand the 'Pigface' name.

Carpobrotus edulis is a southern African plant. Introduced to Europe, the plant can be found entirely naturalised in some coastal habitats, particularly sea cliffs and sand-dunes in the south west of the UK. The plant tends be quite invasive, spreading and forming continuous mats over large areas. It does look stunning, but there may some problems with it. First of all it is not indigenous, and is colonising this area to the detriment of other natives such as thrift. Also it is a succulent and holds on to water, becoming heavy in wet weather. Whole mats of it can become dislocated from the cliffs causing rock falls.

I'm not sure what the policy is in Budleigh. Maybe in certain areas the plants should be eradicated to allow indigenous species to thrive in order to prevent more coastal erosion.
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8 comments

John Lawrence said:

Isn't this part of the Jurrasic coast? West bay??
19 months ago

Amelia replied to John Lawrence:

Yes - it's almost the most westerly part of the Jurassic Coast, John.
19 months ago

John Lawrence said:

Thanks for posting to the
All Flowers Group

.
www.ipernity.com/group/194694
19 months ago

Keith Burton said:

I think the Angled Pigface name is something to do with the fruit of the plant..........if you google some photos of it, there is a resemblance to a pig's trotter.............

Anyway, notwithstanding the name, it's a really beautiful flower and you've captured it splendidly in these two lovely images. The close up in the PiP is particularly good!
19 months ago

Roger (Grisly) said:

Two lovely images Amelia, the rock looks to be quite soft therefore susceptible to rock falls without help from an invasive plant even one as lovely as this,
19 months ago

Roger (Grisly) replied to Roger (Grisly):

Thank you for posting your image in the group
www.ipernity.com/group/west.of.england
19 months ago

Pam J said:

SO PRETTY !
19 months ago ( translate )

©UdoSm said:

Beautiful blossoms on this red rocks...
18 months ago