Disphyma australe
| Disphyma australe | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Disphyma australe (common name: pig's face)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings in the summer.
Cultivation: Requires a very well-drained soil and a sunny position[1][2]. It does not need a rich soil and is probably hardier when grown in poorer soils[2]. Plants grow well by the coast, tolerating maritime exposure[1].
This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, it can be grown as an annual, flowering and setting seed in its first year from seed[1]. It is also possible to take cuttings in the summer and overwinter them in the greenhouse[1].
Range: Australia, New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal rocks and gravels, cliffs and sand dunes throughout New Zealand[3][4].
Edibility: The leaves are pickled[4][5].
Fruit - the inner portion is used[4]. No further details are given.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Mesembryanthemum australe.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.