Spekboom for Sale

Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a drought-resistant, South African native succulent shrub or small tree with small, fleshy, round, grey-green leaves and distinctive red stems that become brownish with age. It grows to heights of 2-5 meters but typically 1.5-2 meters in gardens. Known for its ability to store water and perform highly efficient, adaptable photosynthesis (C3 or CAM), spekboom is an excellent "carbon sink" plant. It produces pinkish, star-shaped flowers and three-winged fruits in late winter or early spring, and its leaves have a mild, acidic, lemon-like flavor, making them edible for both humans and animals, including elephants.  
Key Characteristics
Appearance: 
A succulent with rounded, fleshy, grey-green leaves and red or ruby-red stems that turn dark brown as they mature. 
Size: 
Can grow into a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 2 to 5 meters. 
Habitat: 
Thrives in the semi-arid conditions of the Karoo and other parts of the Eastern Cape. 
Flowers and Fruit: 
Produces masses of pink to rosy-mauve flowers, followed by small, three-winged fruits, usually in late winter. 
Adaptations and Uses
Drought and Frost Tolerance: Highly resilient, it tolerates both dry conditions and frost. 
Carbon Sequestration: Spekboom is extremely efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as a powerful carbon sink. 
Adaptive Photosynthesis: It can switch between C3 and CAM photosynthesis pathways depending on water availability. 
Edible Leaves: The leaves have a pleasant, slightly acidic, citrusy flavor and can be eaten raw in salads or used as a garnish. 
Fodder: Elephants and other animals eat the leaves, earning it the nickname "elephant bush". 
Soil Binding: Its dense root system helps bind soil, preventing erosion. 
Horticultural Uses: Popular as a bonsai subject or for creating clipped hedges. 
Portulacaria afra - Wikipedia
P. afra is capable of either C3 or CAM carbon fixation, depending on factors such as the season and the age of the leaves. In the ...
Wikipedia
Respect the Spekboom! - Babylonstoren
Portulacaria afra, commonly known as spekboom, is a drought-resistant, indigenous succulent native to our country. Although mainly...
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YOUR SPEKBOOM GUIDE - City of Cape Town
It is found predominantly in the Eastern Cape, and especially in the semi-arid Karoo region, where growing conditions are ideal fo...
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