Save planet Earth one porkbush at a time

Local plant enthusiast and nature activist George Baard explains that he, with the help of the community, can save planet Earth with one porkbush at a time.

Baard explains that the Portulacaria Afra, commonly known as porkbush, is an over-achiever in the sense that this plant can absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide and release substantial amounts of pure oxygen into the atmosphere.

“This is why I decided to cultivate and distribute these magnificent plants among rural areas in the Randfontein community,” says Baard.

He explains that he recently donated around 70 of these small plants to an informal settlement just outside Randgate.

“The residents of this informal settlement can now be sure of great amounts of pure oxygen in the air,” says Baard.

Beside the great ecological boost, the residents of this area also can generate an income by further cultivating and selling these plants to local nurseries and plant enthusiasts.

Although this plant originated in warmer climates on rocky slopes in Succulent Karoo scrub, thicket, bushveld and dry river valleys in the eastern parts of South Africa. From the Eastern Cape northwards into KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province as well as Mozambique it will adapt just fine in the South African high lands.

“Therefore it surely can make a huge ecological difference in Randfontein,” says Baard.

Baard further explains that another interesting fact about this plant is that in the Eastern Cape it forms part of the diet of the elephants in the Addo National Park.

“Elephants eat the plant from the top downwards, allowing it to spread vegetatively by its horizontal branches on the ground. As a result inside the park where the plant is subject to browsing by elephants it survives and spreads successfully whereas outside the park it is becoming sparse as a result of overgrazing and poor regeneration.”

The life span of a pork bush is almost 200 years.

“Therefore, one pork bush can benefit our planet for up to 200 years,” says Baard.

“I will work tirelessly to cultivate the porkbush and have it planted in and around Randfontein as I am sure it will reduce and even eliminate carbon dioxide in our air.”

For those who want to be more creative with this plant, it also makes a hardy and handsome bonsai tree.

“So if someone wants their own over-achieving bonsai tree, the porkbush is definitely the tree to go with,” says Baard.

He concludes by urging the community to invest in the porkbush and even cultivate and distribute it within the community.