Elephant Bush Jade

The specific epithet "afra (AF-ruh)" means "from Africa" and refers to the origin of this species. The common name "Elephant Bush" refers to the fact that elephants enjoy eating the leaves of this plant.

The native range of Portulacaria afra extends from the Eastern Cape northwards into the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Limpopo provinces of South Africa, along with Eswatini, and further north into Mozambique. It grows in warm situations on rocky outcrops and slopes.

Portulacaria afra is a densely branched  succulent shrub or small tree with glossy green, opposite leaves on brittle, reddish-brown branches that mature to a wood grey color. It can grow up to 16.4 feet (5 m) tall. Its branches are initially fleshy but become woody as they age. The succulent leaves are obovate, measuring up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in width.

In its native habitat, the plant produces small, rosy pink to mauve flowers in dense clusters on terminal branches in late spring or early summer, but flowering is rare in cultivation. The fruits are translucent, glossy, pink, ellipsoid, 3-angled, and winged on the angles and can grow up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) long.

Although sometimes confused with Crassula ovata, the two plants are quite different. Portulacaria afra has smaller and rounder leaves and more compact growth. Both plants are relatively popular as bonsai subjects.