Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Africa
Southeastern United States, Caribbean, Central America
Types
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
tourist tree, turpentine tree, chaca
Habitat
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
Riverbanks, Sandy stream banks, Tropical rainforest
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-12
10-15
Sunset Zone
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 13, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Twisted/Contorted
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Green, Red
Crimson, Copper
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Not Available
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Green
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Succulent
Compound
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring
Summer, Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
occasional watering once established
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Bold
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Butterflies
Birds, Butterflies, Deers, Hummingbirds
Allergy
no allergic reactions
allergic reaction, Eye irritation, Mouth itching, Vomiting
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Bonsai
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Improve skin condition, Making cosmetics, Removes pimples
Edible Uses
Yes
Sometimes
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Air purification, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, soil stabilisation
Medicinal Uses
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Aging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, Headache
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Stem
Bark, Leaves
Other Uses
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Application in Furniture, Can be made into a herbal tea, Cosmetics
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
Botanical Name
PORTULACARIA afra
BURSERA simaruba
Common Name
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
Gumbo Limbo, Tourist Tree, Turpentine Tree
In Hindi
Elephant Bush
Bursera simaruba
In German
Elephant Bush
Bursera simaruba
In French
Elephant Bush
Bursera simaruba
In Spanish
elefante Bush
Bursera simaruba
In Greek
ελέφαντας Μπους
Bursera simaruba
In Portuguese
elefante de Bush
Bursera simaruba
In Polish
Elephant Bush
Bursera simaruba
In Latin
bush elephant
Bursera simaruba
Phylum
Embryophyta
Angiosperms
Class
Magnoliopsida
Eudicotyledones
Order
Caryophyllales
Sapindales
Family
Portulacaceae
Burseraceae
Genus
Portulacaria
Bursera
Clade
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Eudicots
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Portulacarioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo
Season and care of Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo is important to know. While considering everything about Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo Care, growing season is an essential factor. Elephant Bush season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Gumbo Limbo season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Elephant Bush is Loam, Sand and for Gumbo Limbo is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Elephant Bush is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Gumbo Limbo is Neutral, Alkaline.
Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo Physical Information
Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo physical information is very important for comparison. Elephant Bush height is 250.00 cm and width 121.00 cm whereas Gumbo Limbo height is 460.00 cm and width 760.00 cm. The color specification of Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo are as follows:
Elephant Bush flower color: Pink
Elephant Bush leaf color: Green
Gumbo Limbo flower color: Ivory
- Gumbo Limbo leaf color: Not Available
Care of Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo
Care of Elephant Bush and Gumbo Limbo include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Elephant Bush pruning is done Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Gumbo Limbo pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer Elephant Bush needs Ample Water and in winter, it needs Less Watering. Whereas, in summer Gumbo Limbo needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.