There are many beautiful plants, flowers and trees, that are indigenous to South Africa and some adapt well to being grown in gardens. We look at one such variety, the Spekboom. The Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) is commonly referred to as the Porkbush, or Elephant’s food. The literal translation, from Afrikaans, means the Bacon Tree. This succulent is a favourite food of the Elephants, in the Eastern Cape region, but can be eaten by humans as well. This plant has a very refreshing, tart smell, in the morning, but becomes rather unpleasant smelling, by late afternoon. Although it is best known in the Eastern Cape, it can also be found growing on the Eastern shoreline of  Mocambique and there is also some growth, which extends in a narrow strip, up in to the Limpopo province. The exact extent, of this plant, historically, is not well documented.

This plant makes a good fence, if grown as a hedge. It is very effective, if grown around a vegetable garden, or the perimeter of the yard. The Spekboom is very dense and almost impenetrable. It has bright green, fleshy leaves and if well watered, holds it’s colour. It is easily pruned and shaped and the rubbery branches can be bent and trained. Pruning of the higher growth, will stimulate the plant and it will send out more lateral growth, thickening the lower levels of the hedge.

The roots of this plant, have very good soil binding properties, which grow well on slopes and help to prevent erosion. It grows in any type of soil and does not require much water. One variety of Portulacaria, that lies flat on the ground, can be obtained from most nurseries. This type makes a good ground cover and does not exceed 15 centimetres in height. As it is a succulent, it grows well in a rockery, or between Aloes and Crassulas.

For all the Bonsai enthusiasts, this is an interesting plant, as it can be potted and will mature and adapt to shape changes, within about 2 years. The Portulacaria plant can be grown from seed. Seeds hang in clumps from the fleshy branches of the plant, so can be easily harvested. Seeds appear from around November onwards. Most often, plants are grown from cuttings and should be planted so that half the cutting is buried and half extends above the soil. A branch placed on the ground, will eventually shoot, at fairly regular intervals along it’s length. This allows it to be cut at 30 centimetre sections, to give multiple cuttings. These are planted upright and need to be watered well and regularly, until growth is established, but then ease off on the water as the plant normally grows in arid areas.

The taller variety of Portulacaria grows to about 70 cms to a Metre annually, until mature, when it reaches a height of about 4 to 5 Metres. It does well in direct sunlight and can tolerate fair amounts of frost. Cuttings should be protected from frost, until established.

The Portulacaria plant requires little attention. In spring it produces pale purple sprays, which are very popular with beekeepers, as they contain lots of nectar.

The Mistletoe (Viscum Crassulae) is a parasite plant and deposits it’s seeds on to host branches. They are often found growing on the Spekboom and they add colour, in the winter months. Herbivores, such as cattle and buffalo, who normally eat grass, love the juicy leaves of the Spekboom plant and in the areas where it grows, it has now become a regular part of the black rhino’s diet. 

Zulu and Xhosa women eat the acidic leaves, when nursing babies, as they swear it produces more milk. The soft stems of the plant are also flattened and once dried, are used as thatching and are also crushed and pulverised between rocks, to create a powder, which is then used as a snuff.

So, the Portulacaria, or Spekboom, has many uses. This plant can be potted, grown indoors, used for Bonsai, used as thatch, used as fences, has medicinal properties, can be grown in home gardens and can be used as ground cover. It is hardy and adaptable to many conditions.

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Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

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