The Spekboom is incredibly versatile and can thrive in bright desert conditions or rainforest-type climates, but in your home it prefers being near a brightly lit north or east facing window. Spekboom carbon farming is also only suitable in areas where natural spekboom-rich thicket once occurred.” To determine if they qualify, new landowners may need expert advice on the vegetation and soil type of their land, adds Wynand. In Southern Africa it is commonly eaten, usually as one component of a salad or a soup. Help save the planet by planting your 15 succulent spekboom. Planted in the … Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a soft-wooded, semi-evergreen shrub that is usually between 2.5 to 4.5 or more meters tall. Website by Monica Hemingway, "This tree of wonder has the ability to absorb the highest amounts of carbon dioxide when compared to any other plant in existence.". This plant has the … Contrary to its colourful Afrikaans name, Spekboom (literally translated to ‘bacon tree’) is a lush, emerald succulent plant with juicy, round leaves and an unmistakable, lemony flavour. 10th June 2019 | No Comments | Categories: climate change, Forests. [5]. In southern Africa, Portulacaria afra is known by the names Elephant Bush and Elephant Food and is used by people for culinary and medicinal purposes. [8], It is capable of either C3 or CAM carbon fixation, depending on factors such as the season and the age of the leaves. Fights climatic change and improves the quality of breathable air. The Porkbush is an attractive, evergreen succulent shrub or small tree that can reach 2 - 5 m in height, although usually around 1.5 - 2 m in a garden situation. Spekboom switches gear from slow cactus-like growth in hard times to quick growth in times of plenty, so adding nutrients to the soils and watering ensures quicker growing time. [3] In the dry season, it relies on the CAM pathway due to the lack of water, but when water is reintroduced, the plant quickly reverts to the C3 pathway in order to conserve energy. Tag: types of spekboom . 2005a, 2005b). It has small round succulent leaves and red stems. Spekboom is beautiful when it is in full bloom; the noticeable rosy flowers cover the succulent in a sea of pink. Also, carbon leakage from the soil is positively correlated with lag since conversion. Spekboom: Miracle plant and superfood. These types … This popular succulent plant is found on rocky slopes in the Karoo scrub and semi-arid landscapes in the eastern parts of South Africa. [4] In these environments, P. afra is a source of food for multiple large herbivores, such as the Black rhinoceros and the African elephant. Spekboom is the first canopy dominant to succumb to browsing, being entirely eliminated in severe cases of degradation. Of the 16,942km2 of solid (unbroken canopy) spekboom-dominated thicket, 46% has been heavily, and 36% moderately degraded (Lloyd et al. Spekboom is one of the best carbon sequestrators in the world. Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, it will endure desert sun and heat once established, which the jade plant will not. Portulacaria afr… Water & hunidity They are also great for landscaping and require very little water. The plant can also fit in most types of environments – from desserts to rain forests – due to its unique photosynthetic procedures. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. It has small round soft green glossy padded leaves with burgundy red stems. Portulacaria afra – the name might sound like a mouthful, so it might be easier to refer to this plant by another name. Find out how to select, use and grow these easy-care succulents from South Africa. ). It is a resilient plant found predominantly in the semi-arid Karoo region of the Eastern Cape. Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for low … These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation. Botany; Botany. during a Summer Drought and Rewatering", "Influence of Photoperiod and Leaf Age on Crassulacean Acid Metabolism in Portulacaria afra (L.) Jacq", "How shrubs can help solve climate change", "South Africa's Environmental Programmes", "Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) Planting in Degraded Thickets Improves Soil Properties and Vegetation Diversity", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Portulacaria_afra&oldid=997396815, Articles containing Afrikaans-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 31 December 2020, at 08:42. [5] Although it is not the primary food source for these animals, it still makes up a significant portion of their diet. In the wilds of South Africa, large plants do survive the winter frosts by growing dense enough to provide their own natural cover. In frost-free regions they may be used in outdoor landscaping. Portulacaria afra. https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g1683/delicious-pickled-recipes [12][13] The addition of more spekboom into the environment can also help restore native species to areas where they no longer can grow. Cape Town, South Africa (2 February 2020) – The City’s Recreation and Parks Department will participate in the Spekboom Challenge with the Newlands Nursery growing 5 000 Spekboom trees to be distributed for planting during Climate Change Month in April this year. Luckily, it’s a bonsai plant that has plenty of alternatives (elephant bush, porkbush, dwarf jade plant, and spekboom, in Afrikaans, just to name a few! It is very widespread in the east of South Africa (including Eswatini). [14] P. afra has been shown to help create shade and add organic material into sandy soil, which allows for an environment more hospitable to young plants, thus helping restore populations of native species that were reduced by overgrazing and desertification. Portulacaria leaves are high in Vitamin-C and have a sour, juicy crunch. The wonderful pop of colour is a welcome sight in the otherwise green or … The word “afra” is in reference to the fact that the plant occurs in Africa. Plants and their ways in South Africa. Download Spekboom stock photos. About Portulacaria afra. Portulacaria (Port-yoo-luh-CARE-ee-ah) is a small genus of upright, semi-woody succulents indigenous to South Africa.The stems are thick, succulent and brown to burgundy, with small, round jade green leaves. The spekboom earns enormous value for its carbon credits, and is highly regarded in terms of the voluntary carbon standard mechanism, making this humble oukie a red carpet rave on the international market. https://farmingportal.co.za/.../3497-the-cultivation-and-growth-rate-of-spekboom This drooping canopy also creates shelter, hummus and an ideal micro-climate below and around the shrub, for a variety of smaller types of vegetation to become established, binding the soil to prevent soil erosion. Spekboom is a drought-resistant plant that can survive on just 250mm to 350mm a year, so it’s low maintenance. It can sequester a maximum of 15.4 t CO2 ha−1yr−1. 2002). [10] So while the older leaves are able to switch pathways based on the season and conditions, the younger leaves have to rely solely on the C3 pathway. Eastern parts of South Africa: Miracle plant and superfood species has grown over the last 15 years small,. 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