leaves of Portulacaria afra are extremely tasty,
if not just a little bit sour, and can be used
in salads and other dishes such as tomato
bredie. The honey made from the flowers
of Porkbush is said to be “unsurpassable in
flavour and texture”.
The plant has several traditional medicinal
purposes from increasing breast milk for
lactating mothers, rubbing a crushed leaf onto
blisters, insect bites and other skin ailments,
treating throat and mouth infections and
aiding thirst and dehydration.
Carbon sequestration
Carbon is one of the major greenhouse gases
which are responsible for the warming of the
earth’s atmosphere; it is produced in excess by
burning of fossil fuels. Currently, humans are
producing atmospheric carbon faster than the
environment can absorb it, causing a deficit
which remains in the atmosphere and causes
heat from the sun to be trapped instead of
being radiated back out into space. Research
has shown the Porkbush to be an excellent
‘carbon sponge’ as it can sequestrate (absorb)
free carbon from the atmosphere which is
used to make plant tissue.
P. afra cultivated as a bonsai.
By Claire H. from New York City, USA - Elephant Bush,
CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.
php?curid=8293162
It is capable of either C 3 or CAM carbon
fixation, depending on factors such as the
season and the age of the leaves and is
extremely efficient in binding excesses of free
atmospheric carbon (carbon sequestration)
which is ultimately responsible for climate
change.
It is alleged that a stand of this plant can
remove more carbon from the atmosphere
than an equal amount of deciduous forest!
Several projects currently active in the areas
where the Porkbush occurs seek to utilize it
as a rehabilitation aid to restore over-utilized
natural habitats to their formerly productive
state. At the same time these sites act as
carbon sinks (kind of carbon bank) where
carbon can be collected and used where it
belongs and is productive to both humans and
the environment. Potential earnings through
carbon credits could be translated into social
upliftment in the areas where this plant is
being utilized.
The large spreading shrub furthermore covers
and shades the soil from the harmful rays of
the sun creating a favourable environment
under the plants for insects and other wildlife
to inhabit, while the dead organic matter
which accumulates under the bushes has
an enriching effect on the soil. This further
enrichment of the soil improves its water-
holding capacity which further benefits the
Porkbush as well as other plants and animals
including micro-organisms, which occur in the
area.
Cultivation
Farmers in the region where Spekboom occurs
can benefit greatly from planting this wonder
plant. It is easily propagated from cuttings
which root easily and can even be planted
directly into the ground where they are to
be grown. Cuttings can be allowed to dry out
for a day or two in a cool, dry place and then
planted in washed river sand. If kept in a warm
shady area they will root and be ready to be
planted out after four to six weeks.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulacaria_afra
https://highwaymail.co.za/279216/the-
versatile-spekboom/
http://pza.sanbi.org/portulacaria-afra
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