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Mokolodi Nurseries - Portulacaria afra

Portulacaria afra is a sprawling shrub or small tree,
occurring in semi-desert areas and bushveld. It is
usually found in rocky places. The plant is
referred to as elephant’s food as it is what elephants
love most and forms part of their vast diet.

The Afrikaans word spekboom directly translates
to ‘bacon tree’, which is how the name ‘pork-
bush’ came into being. Portulacaria afra is a fresh
addition to salads and a small sprig will add a
delicious flavour to a stew. It is most attractive in
full bloom as a mass of soft pink nectar-rich
flowers flourishes at the ends of the branchlets.
This versatile plant has several uses:
#1 Leaves are Edible
The taste of Portulacaria afra leaves are pleasant but
changes throughout as the sun rises and sets. During
the day leaves have an acid flavour and they become
less acidic towards the evening. The delicious greenery
is heavily browsed by wild animals.
#2 Communities Use Portulacaria afra
Leaves for Their Medicinal Value
The leaves are used medicinally and in traditional
home construction. The most popular traditional
and contemporary uses of Portulacaria afra leaves are:
-Sucking a leaf to quench thirst, treat exhaustion,
dehydration and heatstroke.
-Using crushed leaves to provide relief for blisters.
-Chewing leaves can treat a sore throat and
mouth infections.
-Juiced leaves are used as an antiseptic and to
soothe skin ailments such as pimples, rashes,
insect stings and sunburn.
-In certain areas, the stems are used to help build
huts/homes or thatch rooves.
-During famine, the Zulus eat the leaves raw.
-In Mozambique, breastfeeding mothers eat the
leaves to increase their milk supply.
-The spekboom flowers are nectar-rich and
provide food for many insects - bees love them!
This, in turn, attract insectivorous birds. Larvae
of the Diadem butterfly also feed on the
Portulacaria species.
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