Portulacaria afra

Portulacaria afra
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Portulacaceae
Genus:	Portulacaria
Species:	P. afra
Binomial name
Portulacaria afra Jacq.

Portulacaria afra, also known as dwarf jade plant, elephant's food, elephant bush, and spekboom in Afrikaans, is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa.

Description

It is a soft-wooded, semi-evergreen upright shrub or small tree, usually 2.5–4.5 metres (8–15 ft) tall. Similar in appearance to the "jade plant" Crassula ovata (family Crassulaceae), P. afra has smaller and rounder pads and more compact growth (shorter internodal spaces, down to 1.5 mm). It is much hardier, faster growing, more loosely branched, and has more limber tapering branches than Crassula.^[1]

Distribution and habitat

It is common in the east of South Africa. It is also found in the karoo of the Western Cape.^[2] Spekboom is found most prolifically within a specific habitat known as Thicket, which locally is often called noorsveld, after the high number of succulent Euphorbia species, which is often called noors plants.

Carbon sequestration

It is capable of either C₃ or CAM carbon fixation, depending on factors such as the season and the age of the leaves.^[2] In the wilds of South Africa, large plants do survive the winter frosts by growing dense enough to provide their own natural cover. Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, it will endure desert sun and heat, which the jade plant will not.

Cultivation

It is popular as an indoor bonsai,^[3] and as a hardy xeriscaping plant. Cuttings root very easily in most potting media.

References

External links

• Media related to Portulacaria afra at Wikimedia Commons