Angular Sea-fig (Carpobrotus glaucescens)

Sleeping bee in the pink This was a surprise - the first time I have encountered Apis mellifera sleeping within a flower.

Assuming this is indeed what it was doing. I came upon it in the very early morning when temps were still cool and thought initially it was dead, but after a moment saw movement. Then I assumed perhaps it was poorly and on its last legs. Perhaps it had been caught by unexpected cool temps the evening before and had not made it back to the colony.

After an hour I came back to the flower to see the little bee still there and was witness to it becoming more active, then eventually flying off with seemingly no problems!

The flower is of the native Pigface, Carpobrotus glaucescens.

Apis mellifera 15 mm length

Aizoaceae,Angular Sea-fig,Apis mellifera,Australia,Carpobrotus glaucescens,Caryophyllales,European Honey bee,Flora,Geotagged,Pigface,Spring,Succulent,arthropod,bee,botany,fauna,insect,invertebrate,macro,new south wales

Appearance

The succulent leaves are 3.5–10 cm long and 9–15 mm wide, straight or slightly curved. The flowers are 3.2–6 cm wide, and light purple. The red to purple fruit is 2–3 cm long and 1.6–2.4 cm wide.

Carpobrotus glaucescens A succulent plant with spectacular bright pink flowers. Carpobrotus glaucescens (commonly known as pigface, ice plant or angular sea fig) is native to Australia and is edible. The red-purple fruit has a flavour described as like salty strawberry. The thick, fleshy leaves can also be eaten – raw or cooked and the juice from the leaves can be used to soothe stings or burnt skin.
Flowers 5 cm in diameter, leaves up to 10 cm in length Aizoaceae,Australia,Carpobrotus glaucescens,Caryophyllales,Geotagged,Macro,Pigface,Spring,botany,flower,pink flowers,plant

Distribution

It is a succulent coastal ground cover native to temperate eastern Australia.

Native angular sea fig A succulent coastal ground cover native to temperate eastern Australia. The red-purple fruit has a flavour described as being like salty strawberry, apple or kiwi fruit. Aizoaceae,Angular Sea-fig,Australia,Carpobrotus glaucescens,Caryophyllales,Fall,Flora,Geotagged,autumn,botany,new south wales,plant

Uses

The fruit pulp is edible, with a flavor like salty strawberry or kiwifruit. The skin is discarded. The leaves are also edible cooked, and can be used as a preserved pickles. Fruit of the plant can also be made into a toffee or jam.

References:

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Taxonomy
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Angiosperms
Class	Eudicots
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Aizoaceae
Genus	Carpobrotus
Species	C. glaucescens

Photographed in
Australia