Forms extensive cover on the east side sand slopes, on Windmill Hill Flats, and around Europa Point. (Species that have been introduced into Gibraltar. (Unknown).); Restricted range within Upper Rock. It has been grown primarily as a sand and scree stabiliser on the North Front, east sand slopes, Europa Advance Road, Europa Point and cliffs on the south west of the Rock. Within the Nature Reserve, only two small patches of this species exist. The patch at Princess Caroline's Battery is restricted by concrete surroundings and can not spread any further, but the patch at Governor's Cottage could eventually cause problems if not tackled. Easy to tackle due to limited dispersal ability. (Perez, C.E. & Bensusan, K. (2005) The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, A Management and Action Plan. The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society. Gibraltar); Very Common. (Gibraltar flora database (Unknown));
Invasive (Pagad S, Wong L J (2020): Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species of Gibraltar; Perez, C.E. & Bensusan, K. (2005) The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, A Management and Action Plan. The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society. Gibraltar; European Commission (2005) Especies vegetales invasoras en Andulasia. La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía; European Commission (2010) Especies exóticas invasoras en Andulasia – Talleres Provinciales 2004-2006. La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía);
The species is known for its characteristic blanket growth, which excludes most other plants and is particularly damaging to native flora and fauna. (Gibraltar Nature Reserve Management Plan. 2019. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change. H.M. Government of Gibraltar.); Poses severe threat to local species where it is widespread. In the Nature Reserve they do not signify a threat to indigenous flora at present.
Terrestrial. Although useful in preventing wind-blown erosion, it fails to adequately anchor the sand and soil due to its weak root structure. (Gibraltar Nature Reserve Management Plan. 2019. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change. H.M. Government of Gibraltar); Introduced from South Africa. (Perez, C.E. & Bensusan, K. (2005) The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, A Management and Action Plan. The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society. Gibraltar);
The Hottentot Fig is an invasive species that was originally used in stabilising sandy habitats and slopes. It is also a garden escapee in various locations in the Upper Rock (Cortes & Abrines 1994, who give this plant as Carpobrotus edulis). Carpobrotus acinaciformis x edulis can only spread by means of runners. This is significant in that it cannot spread beyond the patch or mat that it forms. (Perez, C.E. & Bensusan, K. (2005) The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, A Management and Action Plan. The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society. Gibraltar);
Pagad S., Wong L.J. (2020): Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species – Gibraltar. v1.1. Invasive Species Specialist Group ISSG; Gibraltar Nature Reserve Management Plan (2019). Department of the Environment, Heritage and Climate Change. H.M. Government of Gibraltar; Species that have been introduced into Gibraltar. (Unknown).; Perez, C.E. & Bensusan, K. (2005) The Upper Rock Nature Reserve, A Management and Action Plan. The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society. Gibraltar; Gibraltar flora database (Unknown); European Commission (2005) Especies vegetales invasoras en Andulasia. La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía; European Commission (2010) Especies exóticas invasoras en Andulasia – Talleres Provinciales 2004-2006. La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía;