Spekboom in South Africa

Here’s some info I found on Spekboom’s distribution in South Africa.

Addo Elephant National Park

Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) grows in abundance in the drier parts of the Eastern Cape, especially on the high plateau Karoo hill slopes or flats (c. 400 to 1,060 meters above sea level) and is particularly prominent in the Addo bush to the south where there is significant summer heat. A vast section of Spekboom grows in the Addo Elephant National Park, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, near Port Elizabeth. The park was created to protect the once numerous Eastern Cape elephants. It consists of 12,126 hectares (30,315 acres) of bushveld, dominated mostly by Spekboom, which covers approximately 80% of the park’s area. Some 500 species of plants are to be found in the park. Elephants eat P. Afra from the top downwards allowing the plant to spread itself vegetatively by spreading [...]

Spekboom vs Carbon & Poverty

Spekboom is alive and well , and growing…

I came across a new initiative dedicated to promoting the planting of Spekboom trees. The Spekboom Carbon and Poverty Alleviation Project aims to:

[...]

Spekboom Progress Report

Unfortunately it has been very dry on this side of the world.  For spekboom to be dying you must know when need a bit more rain. I have planted a number of trees that are surviving but not really growing. Given a bit more time and rain things will get better and more planting will begin. I will mail you some pictures in the mean time.

Regards

Bryan

Announcing the availability of Spekboom in COMPOTS

From the Spekboom Carbon and Poverty Alleviation Project.  Sounds interesting:

“John Sachs from Barrydale has set up a factory in our village manufacturing COMPOTS – these are containers made from 100% compost, which is the greenest possible way in which to distribute Spekboom (and other plants for that matter).  The compot containers can be planted as is, with the Spekboom, and will decompose while nourishing the plant! Please contact the team on Spekboom@softcraft.co.za if you would like to order some.

[...]

Spekboom as far as the eye can see

My dear husband and I have recently returned from a two-week road trip 1000km from our home town. One of our stops was Gamkaskloof or ‘Die Hel’ a remote area of the Swartberg in the Karoo. We saw some amazing things, but one of the many beautiful things that made my heart beat faster (apart from the hairy passes) were the masses upon masses of Spekboom that grew in extravagant abundance all over the mountainsides. It was wonderful to see Spekboom in what is obviously its ‘natural’ environment. I even saw one or two flowering (which I have NEVER seen in Durban). Apparently the mountainside in December is aflame with the pink blooms. What a sight that must be!

The hills are alive...