hottentot fig
hottentot fig Lexical Profile
• noun
A mat-forming, trailing succulent plant native to South Africa, characterized by fleshy, triangular leaves and large, brightly colored flowers, often planted for dune stabilization but widely considered a severe invasive species in global coastal ecosystems.
"Local conservation volunteers spent their weekend pulling up thick mats of invasive Hottentot fig to allow native coastal flora to recover."
Word Nuance & Usage
The plant's common name incorporates a colonial-era word originally applied to the Khoekhoe people, which is now widely regarded as highly offensive and derogatory when used outside of this established botanical context.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Dutch colonial term 'Hottentot', historically used to describe the indigenous Khoekhoe people of South Africa, and 'fig', referring to the succulent plant's fleshy, edible fruit.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.