Page 28 - • waterfall_7_Jun2020v2.indd

Waterfall Gardening

THE REAL

dEAL

ABOuT

spEKBOOm

There’s this versatile little miracle
plant called spekboom, perhaps you’ve
heard of it?

W ith all the concerns Bush’ mostly because wild game, breastfeeding mothers in Mozambique

(apparently) eat spekboom leaves
around ‘global climate
especially elephants, love to feed
change,’ this seemingly
forms an integral part of their diet.
humble succulent, on spekboom leaves and this shrub to increase their milk supply.
found predominantly in the Eastern Water-wise and Eco-friendly
Cape and in the karoo, seems Edible, nutritious, with suitable for all seasons and weather

like the God-given answer to the Medicinal Benefits conditions, spekboom has a
planet’s environmental problems. However, this plant is not just for photosynthetic mechanism which
But there’s so much more to this elephants - sucking on the leaf of a allows it to adapt to both rainforest-
incredible plant it’s no wonder we spekboom can quench your thirst, like settings and drought-stricken, arid
are hearing such a lot about it lately treat exhaustion, and alleviate environments, making it suitable for
and why it has become extremely heatstroke - something to remember almost any garden. It is very resilient, as
trendy to plant one, hashtag it, ‘share’ if you ever happen to find yourself it only needs as little as 250 - 350mm

and ‘like’ all that is spekboom. lost in the bush. Its delicious citrus of water per year to thrive. The pretty,
flavour makes for a fresh and exciting pink spekboom flowers that appear late

Why the name ‘spekboom’? addition to salads, stews and roasts, winter to early spring are nectar-rich
Its scientific name is portulacaria there are even cake recipes to try and attract endangered bees, which is

afra but it is affectionately known out! Juiced leaves can be used as an highly beneficial for a healthy, balanced

as ‘spekboom’ which is literally effective antiseptic to soothe anything ecosystem, thus stimulating biodiversity.
translated from Afrikaans as ‘Bacon from mouth infections, sore throats,
Tree’. Other names include ‘Dwarf pimples, rashes, stings and sunburn. Easy to grow
Jade’, ‘Pork Bush’ and ‘Elephant What’s more, rumour has it that spekboom is easily propagated,
which is great news for budget

gardeners. simply cut or break off a
A water-wise plant that’s ideal for low maintenance gardens. segment of a spekboom, let it dry
out for one or two days and then

26 Waterfall Issue 7 2020