Albertinia sour fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lime Sourfig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mesembryanthemum muirii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Carpobrotus muirii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Aizoaceae and falls under the genus Carpobrotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found within a specific ecological niche located in Southern Africa. Its presence is primarily restricted to the Cape Provinces region. Within this territory, it occupies unique habitats suited to its biological needs. This localized distribution pattern is characteristic of many endemic species in the area. Consequently, the geographical range of Carpobrotus muirii remains quite concentrated.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carpobrotus muirii is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, occupying a niche that spans a moderate vertical gradient. This species thrives within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 50 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 400 m AMSL. This range suggests that the plant is adapted to coastal or lowland environments where it likely interfaces with specific soil types and moisture regimes typical of these mid-to-low altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Carpobratus muirii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year like annuals or two years like biennials, but rather maintains a continuous presence through sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, adapting to seasonal fluctuations while building the necessary energy reserves to support ongoing development and flowering over several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carpobrotus muirii is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or parasitic tendencies. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as an obligate or facultative parasite nor existing as an epiphyte, as its primary ecological niche is terrestrial. Although it is categorized within a spectrum that includes aquatic and semiaquatic traits, its actual physiological expression is strictly terrestrial. In terms of physical stature, the plant is diminutive, reaching a maximum plant height of only 0.11 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.11 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Carpobrotus muirii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phytosterols.

Flavonoids

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Phytosterols

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Carpobrotus muirii has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus.

Mycobacterium smegmatis

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Carpobrotus muirii has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts of varying polarities, ethyl acetate extracts.

Extracts of varying polarities

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ethyl acetate extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology