Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Succulent
Origin
United States, Central United States
Southern Africa
Types
Deciduous Tree
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
33430
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Woodland Garden Canopy
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-810-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
8-4
10-1
Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Spreading
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
1,830.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow green, Chartreuse
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Chocolate
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Gray Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Gray Green, Dark Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Yellow, Tan, Brown
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
oblong or obovate
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Spring
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Water during dry weather
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Phosphorous
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Anthracnose, Sunken patches
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
-
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Severe allergen
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
Antiseptic, Astringent, Emetic, Febrifuge, Tonic
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Seeds
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute, Used as a thickening in stews, Wood is used for making furniture
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees, Street Trees
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
QUERCUS imbricaria
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Shingle Oak
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
Shingle Oak
Elephant Bush
In German
Kies Eiche
Elephant Bush
In French
Shingle Oak
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
teja de madera de roble
elefante Bush
In Greek
βότσαλα Oak
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Shingle Oak
elefante de Bush
In Polish
gont Oak
Elephant Bush
In Latin
Quercus imbricaria
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Fagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Fagaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Quercus
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Fagoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
81
1
27800
👆🏻