Portulacaria
Genus of succulent plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portulacaria is a genus of succulent plant, classified in its own subfamily Portulacarioideae in the family Didiereaceae. It is indigenous to southern Africa.
| Portulacaria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portulacaria afra | |
 | |
| Mature Portulacaria afra | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Didiereaceae |
| Subfamily: | Portulacarioideae |
| Genus: | Portulacaria Jacq. |
Taxonomy
The genus was previously placed in the family Portulacaceae, but according to molecular studies is part of Didiereaceae.
It has further been revised when phylogenetic tests showed conclusively that genus Ceraria was located within Portulacaria, and all Ceraria species have consequently been renamed and moved into this genus.[1]
Species
As of March 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[2]
- Portulacaria afra Jacq.
- Portulacaria armiana van Jaarsv.
- Portulacaria carrissoana (Exell & Mendonça) Bruyns & Klak, syn. Ceraria carrissoana Excell & Mendonca
- Portulacaria fruticulosa (H.Pearson & Stephens) Bruyns & Klak, syn. Ceraria fruticulosa Pearson & Stephens
- Portulacaria longipedunculata (Merxm. & Podlech) Bruyns & Klak, syn. Ceraria longipedunculata Merxm & Podlech
- Portulacaria namaquensis Sond., syn. Ceraria namaquensis Sond.
- Portulacaria pygmaea Pillans, syn. Ceraria pygmaea Pillans
Uses
Portulacaria afra normally uses C3 (or Hatch-Slack) carbon fixation but is also able to switch to CAM 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.[3] Because of its superficial resemblance to some species in the family Crassulaceae, most of which are toxic,[4] the two are readily, and possibly dangerously, confused by people unaware of the differences.
