Highway Iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis)

Fast-growing, drought-tolerant, invasive, mat-forming groundcover. Very easy to start from cuttings, very common locally in public and private areas.

Two serious problems with this plant. The first is that it's an aggressive grower in the garden and not good at sharing space with other plants, above or below ground. The second is that it's prone to escape, and has the potential to outcompete native plants in many areas (including coastal California and Baja California). At least one other purple-flowered Carpobrotus species shares the same features. They can also spread by seed at some distance.

There are many better options for succulent groundcovers, depending on your needs. Don't plant a Carpobrotus unless you're prepared to cut it back regularly. And don't toss your cuttings by the side of the road, because they'll get started growing there too. I have had more than one Carpobrotus seedling sprout as a volunteer inside a greenhouse (seed came from outside) so the plant can also be counted on to spread from seed as well.

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Can be invasive where hardy, and has naturalized in Florida and California.
Is considered an invasive weed in California.

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I tried the fruit(may have been unripe). Salty, sour and very astringent.

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