Portulacaria afra

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Botanical Name

Portulacaria afra

Family

Portulacaceae - The purslane family.

Pronunciation

por-tew-luh-KAR-ee-uh AF-ruh

Common Name(s)

Porkbush, Elephant's food; Spekboom, Olifantskos; iGqwanitsha (Xhosa); iNtelezi (Zulu)

Plant Group

Tree A woody, self-supporting perennial plant usually with a single main stem and generally growing more than 6 meters tall.

Plant Size

Very Small

Tree 3m to 4m

Shrub 25cm to 50cm

Perennial/ground cover Up to 10cm

Bulb 10cm to 20cm

Succulent Up to 5cm

Position

Canopy Shade Canopy shade is found below closely grown trees where some light filters through. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Deep / Full Shade Shade below spreading evergreen trees where sun's rays are unable to penetrate the canopy at any time. For light sensitive plants
Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.
Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Sand tolerant Plants adapted to survive in nutrient poor, very sandy soils.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.
Wind Tolerant Plants able to withstand the effect of strong winds.

Specific Information

Portulacaria afra rehabilitates and restores soil.
Spekboom has enormous carbon-storing capabilities, thus a huge capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions.
The leaves are edible with a pleasant, acidy taste

Flowers

Description

small, star-shaped on dainty spikes

Season

Winter to Spring Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

pink

Growth Rate

Moderate to Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Hedge Suitable trees or shrubs planted relatively close together so that the branches intertwine to create a barrier. This can be formal – the plants are regularly trimmed to produce a neat shape, or informal – the plants are left to themselves to create a natural hedgerow.
Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
Screen A tall hedge of suitable plants planted closely together and used as a windbreak, to block a bad view, to separate parts of the garden or as a backdrop.
Suitable for bonsai A shrub or tree that lends itself to being dwarfed.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.
Windbreak Trees planted in a row to form protection from prevailing winds by breaking the force of the wind, thereby reducing wind damage.

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Distribution

from the Eastern Cape into KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province, as well as Mozambique, in warm areas on rocky slopes, in succulent karoo scrub, forest thicket, bushveld and dry river valleys

Planting Suggestions

The spekboom can be planted almost anywhere as long as the soil is well-drained. It has no special needs but a little compost and fertiliser will encourage quicker growth and greener leaves. This shrub takes well to pruning and can be used for topiary.

See this blog post for more information.

Medicinal Uses

The pork bush has been much used medicinally. Traditional uses include sucking a leaf to quench thirst and to treat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke. Crushed leaves provide relief for blisters and corns. The leaves are chewed as a treatment for sore throat and mouth infections and the juice is used for soothing skin ailments such as pimples, rashes, insect stings and sunburn. The juice is used as an antiseptic. A small sprig of porkbush steamed with a tomato bredie (stew) is said to impart a delicious flavour.

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