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Portulacaria afra (variegated)
| Family Name: | Didiereaceae |
| Common Name: | Rainbow Bush, Variegated Elephant Bush, Variegated Elephant's Food |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Succulent with a creeping growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, fleshy leaves are teardrop-shaped to oval with smooth leaf edges. They are light green with cream-coloured leaf margins that varies in proportion among different leaves. |
| Stems | Thick, fleshy stems are dark red and round. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Rooftops, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Suitable for Bonsai |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Easy to Grow, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green, White |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1069 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2362 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
