Hottentot Fig-marigold,
Hebrew: צלקנית החרבות, Arabic: نبات الحي علم
| Scientific name: | Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L. Bolus | |
| Synonym name: | Mesembryanthemum acinaciforme L. | |
| Common name | Hottentot Fig-marigold, Giant Pigface, Sally-my-handsome, Sour Fig | |
| Hebrew name: | צלקנית החרבות ,אהל האצבעות | |
| Arabic name: | نبات الحي علم | |
| Family: | Aizoaceae, Fig-marigold family, חיעדיים |
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| Life form: | Perennial | |
| Succulence: | Stem + leaf succulent | |
| Stems: | Angular, procumbent, stem 16-120 cm, articulate, young branches much compressed | |
| Leaves: | 3-angled, fleshy, 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter and 9cm long | |
| Flowers: | Solitary, pedunculate, petals and stamens numerous; stigmas 8-20; purple to pink, flower base not tapering into a pedicel | |
| Fruits / pods: | Berries, fleshy, indehiscent (Hottentot-figs) | |
| Flowering Period: | April, May, June, July | |
| Habitat: | Mediterranean strand | |
| Distribution: | Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands | |
| Summer shedding: | Ephemeral |
Derivation of the botanical name: Carpobrotus , karpós, καρπός, "fruit"; brōtós,βρωτός, "edible"; edible fruit. acinaciformis, acinaces, ακινακηϛ, "short straight sword, saber", of Persians & Scythians/ Gk: dagger; formis, "to be in the form or shape of..."; scimitar shaped. Mesembryanthemum , mesembrianthemum, Greek, mesembria, "midday"; anthemon, "flower"; in allusion to the fact that the only species then known all bloomed at noon. When species of other habits became known, the genus was renamed mesembryanthemum. As now spelled, the derivation is mesos, "middle"; embryon, "fruit"; anthemon, "flower."
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