Spekboom leaves as vegetable in South Africa

Among the many edible South African plants, few are as remarkable as Spekboom (Portulacaria afra), a member of the Didiereaceae family. Known locally as the elephant bush, this hardy succulent is celebrated for its ecological benefits and, increasingly, for its role as a nutritious vegetable.

A Hardy, Indigenous Shrub

Spekboom is native to South Africa’s arid and semi-arid regions, especially the Eastern Cape. It grows as a dense shrub or small tree, often reaching up to five meters in height, and can live for over a century. Its resilience is legendary — thriving in poor soils, surviving drought, and sprouting easily from cuttings. Because of these qualities, spekboom is central to restoration projects. It is capable of storing impressive amounts of carbon dioxide, earning it the reputation of being a natural climate ally.

Spekboom as a Food Plant

What sets spekboom apart from many other edible South African plants is its refreshing flavor. The small, round leaves are crisp and juicy, with a tart, lemon-like tang. Traditionally, they were chewed as a thirst-quencher by people walking long distances in the veld.

For pickles of African purslane or spekboom, leaves are mixed with onions and other condiments and taste tremendously well. Unfortunately, these pickles are not available everywhere, but mainly at National Park shops. For more information about the manufacturer of pickles, chutneys, jams, and other spekboom-related products, click here.

Spekboom leaves are not only edible but also nutritious. They contain vitamin C and antioxidants that support immunity and general wellness. Although more research is needed to fully explore its nutritional potential, spekboom is already valued as a safe and beneficial wild food.

Other uses of ‘Spekboom’

• Fresh purslane/spekboom leaves are sucked to quench thirst
• Crushed leaves will provide relief to blisters, rashes, mouth infections, and sore throat, and they are a kind of antiseptic, soothing insect stings and sunburn
• In some areas, the dried stems are used as thatching material for huts

A Future-Friendly Food

Spekboom stands out among edible South African plants because it combines culinary use with environmental impact. By planting and eating spekboom, South Africans are embracing a resource that restores degraded landscapes, absorbs carbon, and brings unique flavors to the table.

Lessons learned about Portulacaria afra

• It’s a very well-tasting plant that can be eaten raw, as pickles or in salads, and also quenches thirst.
• It can relieve sunburn and insect bites, like rushes from hairy caterpillars.
• Spekboom can store considerable amounts of carbon dioxide.

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