Kingdom Plantae Family Didiereaceae Scientific name Portulacaria Rank Genus | Order Caryophyllales Subfamily Portulacarioideae Higher classification Portulacaceae | |
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Similar Portulacaria afra, Portulacaceae, Ceraria, Didiereaceae, Ceraria namaquensis | ||
Portulacaria is a genus of succulent plant, classified in its own subfamily Portulacarioideae in the family Didiereaceae. It is indigenous to southern Africa.
Contents
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.
Species
Species include:
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.