Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra
Common Name: Purslane Tree, Elephant’s Food, Elephant Bush
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape open and pyramidal when young, more irregular and dense with age – loosely branched with thick, fleshy tapering stems
Height to 12'
Spread to 12'
Growth Rate moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors half shade to full sun
Soil tolerates any soil
Hardiness some frost (zones 16, 17, 22-24)
 
Morphology:
Leaves opposite, sessile obovate, dark green to 1/2" long succulent and rounded attached to wine-red stems
Flowers tiny pink flowers in terminal clusters seldom seen in California
Fruit insignificant
 
Propagation:
stem cuttings (allow to dry for a day before planting)
 
Usage:
good in containers, as an informal screen or hedge; also good as a filler in mass planting – mix with other succulents
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers to be kept on the dry side
Fertilizing none
Pruning control size, head back to force bushiness
Pests/Diseases none
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: South Africa
Family: Portulacaceae

Notes:
 
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