A recent study in the Eastern Cape has highlighted the fact that the humble spekboom (or ‘elephant’s food’ as it is also known) has an amazing ability to soak up CO2, equivalent to that of sub-tropical forests. Findings suggest that up to four tons of carbon a year would be captured by each hectare. This is apparently making a lot of people excited about how much it could be worth on the carbon-trading market but I’m excited about how an indigenous South African plant could potentially be so valuable in turning back the tide of global warming. Also, it raises the issue of what uses our other indigenous plants could have, that we have yet to discover.
And I’ve got it in my garden. I currently have five plants, all grown from one cutting I took from my friend Em’s house in Salt Rock. So, if anyone wants some (and lives in Durban), let me know and you can come and break off a branch.
Read up about it at the Mail & Guardian and Urban Sprout.
Update: Sasol may turn to Spekboom to capture carbon
Spekboom soaks up the CO2.
This is great to know! We have plenty of spekboom growing here – it grows so easily, but I’ll have to keep planting more!
hey kit. just had a look at your blog, its cool! you know you can make a salad with the spekboom leaves … there is a recipe in the comments above
throw some ribbon bush in there as well
I am making cuttings of spekboom and they are piling up in my yard. I live in Cape Town on the west coast so if anyone wants a plant give me a shout.
I’m excited about spekboom nursery shopping list check x
Recently took a cutting from a beautiful 3m x 3m x 3m Spekboom plant in the Karoo. It truly is a magnificent plant. Also if anyone is interested, there’s apparently a Facebook group called the “Spekboom Carbon and Poverty Alleviation Project”, actively growing and distributing spekboom plants by obtaining sponsorships that enables them “to provide Spekboom cuttings to, and pay impoverished citizens to plant spekboom in rural communities such as Barrydale in the Western Cape, South Africa.”
Spread the love.
I have opened a cacti and succulents nursery out of Despatch in the Easten Cape FUN IN THE SUN if u want spekbome for a good price let me know at this email adress
I am working at cleopatra mountain farm the most of the time i spent on the garden ,since i visited this site ifeel like not lost by working on the garden , i also like feeding our weaver birds ,pegeons.the thing idon’t know how can i be asuccesful gadner ,like having my
Awesome post, i got a Spekboom for Christmas, so going to make a bonsai out of it, and knowing that it is good for soaking up CO2, will use the cuttings make to grow more plants.
I have 1 very small Spekboom and would like to know if it is easy to propagate – Melbosstrand, Western Cape.
Ta
Jane
Hi Jane,
It easy to propagate. Just wait until your plant is a bit bigger and you should be able to grow others from cuttings…
Spekboom is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Just literally stick a small piece in a pot full of soil! A truly wonderful plant in a myriad of ways. It’s being nused at Babylonstoren to make a labrynth! Can you think of anything easier to use!!!! Have them at the nursery as well. Upright ones and the prostrate variety.
Bridget Mountain Whisper Herb Nursery
Spekboom makes fantastic container plants. They hardly need any attention and look super
Hi there,
I know I’m a bit delayed, but I’ve become very interested in getting one of these trees. I came across your post and just wanted to know if I could come and collect a slip of the tree, or if you know where in Durban I could buy a plant?
Hi Sharon
I could post you a slip and you simply pop it into the ground and it will grow!
Regards
Bridget
Bridget Kitley Herb Nursery & Potager Garden Landscaping
Stellenbosch
Web site: http://www.herb-nursery.co.za
Hi Sharon, I have a large bush that you can take plenty of slips from. I live behind Westwood shopping mall and you can call me on 031 2666506.
I’ve just recently learnt about the spekboom.. Why is it that our authorities are not planting these life saving trees all over the townships, cape flats, new housing developments and especially our cities? I received this funny looking plant when I received my loyalty card at my local nursery and just planted it without knowing it’s properties…. I have since planted 6 more AND they are inexpensive….
hi jenny, i agree. if you have some spekboom seeds, do it yourself! make some guerrilla gardening spekboom bombs!
http://www.sprig.co.za/2010/12/its-the-bomb/
Hello Helen . I live in the round house on the opposite hill to Westwood Mall so I might even be able to see your property from mine .
I have been looking in the local and Dunrobin Nurseries for spekboom but they did not stock it . May I please impose on you for a few slips from the bush in your garden ?
I was looking for the plant for a different reason to that of reducing the carbon footprint but with all the squatter camps around me in Palmiet Rd and Chiltern drive I could do with purifying the air
.
I have taken your number and will call you in the new year if you are happy with that . I was almost murdered in an armed robbery by my gardener at my house in Feb this year but cannot get over the trauma so life has been hectic . I have been removing tall plants and replacing with low growing ones that are easier to maintain . I do not keep servants . I employed the gardener as a casual ( I knew him from other properties he worked at in the family ) as a favour to help him out after he was put on short time . How ironical .
Wishing you all the best for the festive season .
Yours sincerely
Bridgette Devin
0726249050 mobile direct