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Glite Dictionary
Hottentot's fig

Hottentot's fig

9.9
A low plant with thick leaves that grows on coastal sand and has edible fruit
  • noun
  • NSFW
translation icon : higo de Hottentot
  • She tasted the tangy pulp of a ripe Hottentot's fig during her trip to South Africa.

Examples

  • Gardeners often plant Hottentot's fig to stabilize sandy soils near the ocean.

  • The coastal dunes were carpeted with bright flowers from the Hottentot's fig.

  • The Hottentot's fig thrives in sandy soils.

  • I saw a Hottentot's fig plant at the botanical garden.

  • The tangy pulp of Hottentot's fig is a delicious treat for those who visit the South African coast.

  • Gardening experts recommend Hottentot's fig for its ability to retain moisture in arid coastal environments.

  • Along the beaches, clusters of Hottentot's fig create a vibrant display of color and provide shelter for local wildlife.

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum edule
vsHottentot's fig
  • Specialized
9.9

A low spreading South African plant with thick leaves and sour, edible fruit

is the everyday coastal description rather than the formal name
Hottentot fig
vsHottentot's fig
  • NSFW
9.9

A low plant with thick, fleshy leaves and sweet edible fruit from South Africa

focuses on the plant description and coastal occurrence rather than naming
sour fig
vsHottentot's fig
  • South African
9.2

A low plant from South Africa with thick leaves that makes small edible fruit

emphasizes the plant features and coast distribution rather than that name
Carpobrotus edulis
vsHottentot's fig
  • Specialized
9.9

A low plant with thick leaves used as ground cover that has edible fruit

focuses on the plant itself and edible fruit rather than landscaping use

Surface Forms

Hottentot's fig singular
Hottentot's figs plural

Morphology

Hottentot's + fig

The constituent 'fig' clearly signals a plant/fruit so a learner who knows both words could infer this is a kind of plant associated with the name 'Hottentot'. However, 'Hottentot's' is a proper/ethnonymic (and archaic/offensive) label that does not convey the specific information that this is a low-growing coastal succulent, so the exact botanical meaning is not predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Hottentot's fig may come from old European settlers in South Africa who used Hottentot for the local people and called the plant a fig because its round, soft fruit looked like a small fig. So the name links the people near where the plant grew and the fig-like fruit, which is why we use this name for the coastal plant today. Note: the word Hottentot is an old term and can be seen as offensive today.