Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3084777

Elephant Bush

Portulacaria afra

Also known as Spekboom, Porkbush, Elephant's Food, Dwarf Jade Plant

Elephant bush is a resilient succulent shrub native to the arid thickets of eastern South Africa, where it forms dense, woody stands that support major megaherbivores. Its reddish-brown stems support fleshy, teardrop-shaped leaves capable of switching to Crassulacean Acid Metabolism during droughts to preserve moisture. In its native habitat, this plant acts as a vital carbon sink and ecological foundation, holding soil together and offering refuge to small wildlife.

SucculentDrought-TolerantCarbon Sink
Elephant Bush reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Shaun Swanepoel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shaun Swanepoel · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • African Elephant
  • Black Rhinoceros
  • Domestic Livestock
ThreatsOvergrazing by unmanaged livestock, habitat degradation
HabitatsArid thickets, rocky hillsides, semi-desert scrub
Life span50–100+ years
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyDidiereaceae
  3. GenusPortulacaria
  4. SpeciesPortulacaria afra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Cultivation: Provide bright sunlight and well-draining soil, letting the soil dry out between waterings.
  • Propagation: Snap off a healthy stem segment and insert it directly into soil to establish a clone.
  • Landscaping: Use as a drought-tolerant hedge or accent plant in frost-free climates.
Related species
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