South African ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) may look colourful with its bright flowers, but it’s a coastal invader that spreads into huge, impenetrable mats. These mats smother dunes and native plants, preventing sand movement and disrupting the natural processes that shape our coastlines. Over time, ice plant also changes soil chemistry, making it easier for other weeds to take hold while displacing our own native ice plant species.
North of Needles Point, ice plant is still scattered and manageable, and that’s where our efforts are focused. By removing patches early and replanting with native dune species, we can stop it becoming dominant. Once established, it’s difficult to remove, so proactive control now will save enormous effort later.
Image: Mike Aviss