Plants of
South Australia
Disphyma crassifolium ssp. clavellatum
Aizoaceae
Rounded Pig-face,
Round-leaf Pigface,
Rounded Noon-flower
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 6

Prior names

Mesembryanthemum crassifolium

Mesembryanthemum clavellatum

Disphyma clavellatum

Disphyma blackii

Disphyma australe

Common names

Rounded Pig-face

Round-leaf Pigface

Rounded Noon-flower

Etymology

Disphyma from the Greek 'dis' meaning twice and 'phyma' meaning a tubercle, tumour, referring to the double lumps at the ovary apex. Crassifolium from the Latin 'crassus' meaning thick and 'folium' meaning a leaf, referring to the species' succulent leaves. Clavellatum from the Latin 'clavellatus' meaning little-clubbed, referring to the shape of the fruit.

Distribution and status

Found in central South Australia growing on saline soils inland and on rocky areas along the coast. Also found in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Native. Common in South Australia. Rare in Queensland. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Prostrate annual or short-lived perennial with stems to 1 m long. Leaves clustered along the stems, smooth except on margins and k; green-tinged reddish or red, to 50 mm long and 10 mm wide. Flowers daisy-like to 50 mm in diameter on long stalk to 30 mm long; purple above, white below. Flowering between October and February. Fruits are fleshy, plump red fruit to 12 mm diameter; succulent at first, becoming dry and hardened. Seed embryo type is peripheral.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between January and April. Collect mature fruits, those that are fat and turning red with brown seeds inside or those that are brown, dried and hardened. Break open the fruits and wash the content in water. Drain the liquid leaving behind the seeds. Place the wet seeds onto paper towels and leave to dry. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seeds are non-dormant, viable seed should germinate readily without any treatment.

We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.