ortucularia afra.
“Prostrata” decumbent variety
By Dinkum - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.
org/w/index.php?curid=21438509 By Frank Vincentz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17828919
The genus Portulacaria has been shown to be
an outlier, relatively unrelated to the other
genera in the family, which are all restricted to
small ranges in the arid far west of southern
Africa. plants must rely solely on seed to proliferate
the species which often proves difficult in dry
climates and the plant is becoming sparse
because of overgrazing and poor regeneration.
Distribution and habitat
It is very widespread in the east of South Africa
(including Swaziland and Mozambique and
adjacent regions). In this moist climate, it is
relatively rare, and tends to favour dryer rocky
outcrops and slopes.
It is also found in much denser numbers in the
dryer southern Cape. Here it occurs from the
“Little Karoo” of the Western Cape, eastwards
up until the thicket vegetation of the Eastern
Cape. Spekboom is found most prolifically in
the Albany thickets, a woodland ecoregion,
which locally is often called noorsveld, after the
high number of succulent Euphorbia species,
which are often called noors plants.
Cultivation and uses
PIn the wilds of South Africa, large plants do
survive the winter frosts by growing dense
enough to provide their own natural cover.
Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, it will
endure desert sun and heat once established,
which the jade plant will not. Cuttings root very
easily in most potting media.
The plants are eaten by goats who eat the
plant from ground level upwards preventing
the plant from spreading. Consequently, these
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
Ornamental
This versatile plant makes an excellent bonsai
specimen, can be clipped successfully into a
hedge, is a great screening plant, tolerates
semi-arid conditions as well as mild frost and
acts as a soil binder or stabiliser in preventing
soil erosion. It is also the ideal plant to grow
along all our major roads.
Several varieties exist - some bred in
cultivation, others naturally occurring:
• “Limpopo”: A variety with much larger
leaves. It is the natural form from the
far north of the species’ range.
• “Prostrata”: A low-lying, decumbent
form that is frequently used as a
ground-cover.
• “Aurea”: A compact, upright form with
rounded leaves that go bright yellow in
the sun.
• “Foliis variegatus”: A variegated form.
• “Medio-picta”: Variegated with a lighter
centre.
Food source
In southern Africa it is commonly eaten. The
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