''Portulacaria'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

succulent plant In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...

, classified in its own subfamily Portulacarioideae in the family

Didiereaceae Didiereaceae is a family of flowering plants found in continental Africa and Madagascar. It contains 20 species classified in three subfamilies and six genera. Species of the family are succulent plants, growing in sub-arid to arid habitats. Seve ...

. It is indigenous to

southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number of ...

Taxonomy

The genus was previously placed in the family

Portulacaceae The Portulacaceae are a family of flowering plants, comprising 115 species in a single genus ''Portulaca''. Formerly some 20 genera with about 500 species, were placed there, but it is now restricted to encompass only one genus, the other genera ...

, but according to molecular studies is part of

. It has further been revised when phylogenetic tests showed conclusively that genus ''

Ceraria ''Portulacaria'' is a genus of succulent plant, classified in its own subfamily Portulacarioideae in the family Didiereaceae. It is indigenous to southern Africa. Taxonomy The genus was previously placed in the family Portulacaceae, but accordin ...

'' was located within ''Portulacaria'', and all ''

'' species have consequently been renamed and moved into this genus.

Species

Species include: * ''

Portulacaria afra ''Portulacaria afra'' (known as elephant bush, porkbush, purslane tree and ' in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cu ...

'' Jacq. * '' Portulacaria armiana'' E. J. Van Jaarsveld * '' Portulacaria carrissoana''. Previously '' Ceraria carrissoana'' Excell & Mendonca * '' Portulacaria fruticulosa''. Previously '' Ceraria fruticulosa'' Pearson & Stephens * '' Portulacaria longipedunculata''. Previously '' Ceraria longipedunculata'' Merxm & Podlech * ''

Portulacaria namaquensis ''Ceraria namaquensis'', with the common names Namaqua porkbush and Namaqua portulacaria, is a species of succulent shrub, native to the border between South Africa and Namibia. The plant's current name is ''Portulacaria namaquensis'', due to ...

''. Previously ''

Ceraria namaquensis ''Ceraria namaquensis'', with the common names Namaqua porkbush and Namaqua portulacaria, is a species of succulent shrub, native to the border between South Africa and Namibia. The plant's current name is ''Portulacaria namaquensis'', due to ...

'' Sond. * '' Portulacaria pygmaea''. Previously '' Ceraria pygmaea'' Pillans

Uses

'' normally uses (or Hatch-Slack) carbon fixation but is also able to switch to

CAM Calmodulin (CaM) (an abbreviation for calcium-modulated protein) is a multifunctional intermediate calcium-binding messenger protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells. It is an intracellular target of the secondary messenger Ca2+, and the bind ...

carbon fixation when drought stressed. It is a local delicacy and its leaves are eaten by the local peoples. It is also popular internationally as a garden plant. Because of its superficial resemblance to some species in the family

Crassulaceae The Crassulaceae (from Latin ''crassus'', thick), also known as the stonecrop family or the orpine family, are a diverse family of dicotyledon flowering plants characterized by succulent leaves and a unique form of photosynthesis, known as Crass ...

, most of which are toxic,Watt, John Mitchell; Breyer-Brandwijk, Maria Gerdina: The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa 2nd ed Pub. E & S Livingstone 1962 the two are readily, and possibly dangerously, confused by people unaware of the differences.

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2470203 Caryophyllales genera Flora of Southern Africa Succulent plants