What is an ice plant?

Ice Plant ( Carpobrotus edulis ) is a succulent native of South Africa, but common in Chaparral habitats around the world. Although it was once grown in California, Australia, in the Mediterranean and similar areas as a decorative plant, it has become an invasive species and a threat to native vegetation. This plant is resistant and reproduced quickly, easily grows into thick ground cover that eliminates further plant life and exhausts soil nutrients. The only reliable way to control ice plants is to physically eradicate.

The ice plant is attractive, with meat green leaves covered with small fibers, causing it to spark like ice in the sun. It also has bright yellow, pink or white flowers and edible fruits that are made in jam in South Africa. Leaves are sometimes red or yellow. This plant was first introduced to California at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was used to stabilize the soil along the railway tracks. It has also become popularThe plant and some still grow it for decorative purposes.

Despite the beauty of the ice plant, it has become ecological annoyance in California and other areas in which it is not native. He prolonged along the California motorways at the expense of many native species. It dominates in areas where it grows, resulting in a very low biological diversity and deprives other types of sources that need growth such as soil and space. Ice plants are reproduced by both fruits that are produced throughout the year and through segmentation, which means that any shoot can suppress the roots. One shoot can grow 3 feet per year (about 1 meter).

Chemical herbicide is used in California to control ice plants, but is not quite effective. Complete plant removal, along with their root systems, is the best way to consume an ice plant from the area, although it is intensive work and timeTower demanding. After removing all parts of the plant, the soil must be mulch to prevent recolonization.

Although an ice plant is an invasive species, it requires growth in very specific conditions and will not expand outside the chaparral areas. It tends to have grown above 500 feet (150 meters) and cannot tolerate frost.