what does an elephant tree look like

The Elephant Tree's scientific name means "small-leafed." Dull, light-green, oblong leaves about an inch long, with a winged axis, are composed of tiny leaflets. The twigs are reddish-brown, and the bark is thin and flaky, white on the outside with lower layers green, then red.

Where do elephant trees grow?

Bursera microphylla, known by the common name elephant tree in English or 'torote' in Spanish, is a tree in genus Bursera. It grows into a distinctive sculptural form, with a thickened, water-storing or caudiciform trunk. It is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

How do you take care of an elephant tree?

While Elephant Trees (also called Jabily) prefer partial to full sun, don't let them get too hot or dry out. Filtered light is best. Water them only when the soil is dry. The key is to remember that they grow well in gravelly, poor soil that drains rapidly.

How is an elephant like a tree?

The parable

A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. ... As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk.

What is the meaning of elephant tree?

: a spicy-odored small tree or shrub (Bursera microphylla) of the southwestern U.S. having a light-gray outer bark, slender zigzag twigs, and white flowers in mostly 3-flowered clusters.

How do you propagate an elephant tree?

Like most succulents, elephant bush is easy to reproduce from cuttings. Take cuttings in spring or summer for best results. Let the cutting dry out and callous for a couple of days and then plant the cutting in damp gritty soil in a small pot.

Why is my elephant tree dying?

Overwatering is the primary cause of failure in Elephant Bush because it invites fungal rot disease. The leaves of the overwatered plant become swollen and discolored. Leaf drop may occur in severe cases. To save a plant that has been overwatered, repot it after removing any rotten roots.

How do you prune an elephant Bush?

Prune unwieldy branches with bonsai pruners or small, sharp-pointed scissors to achieve a tree framework. While elephant ears can't be propagated from cuttings like many plants, you can divide the tubers of a healthy parent plant. This growth habit makes it easy to prune elephant bush succulents into the desired shape.

How does the elephant tree survive in the desert?

Due to the massive fluctuation in temperature, the elephant tree has adapted to these conditions by being drought tolerant, a succulent plant and able to internally conserve water fairly well considering the lack of it in these desert regions.

What tree do elephants eat?

Their favorites are sugar maple, Norway maple, silver maple and willow. They eat the leaves and small branches completely, chew the bark off of the medium size branches, and use their tusks to scrape the bark off of the large logs.

What is an elephant a metaphor for?

The elephant is a metaphor that awakens the yearning for forgotten conversations between humans, the Earth and all living things. As part of nature, we coexist with the elephant, other creatures, the land, the sea and the sky. ... Selfish interests have destroyed the very nature on which our lives depend.

Why do elephants need trees?

Elephants get most of their food from bushes, grasses and trees. These massive animals tend to knock down trees to consume the leaves and bark from the trees. ... When droughts occur, trees play an essential part in elephant's diet. They knock down trees to get nutrients and even uproot them to consume their roots.

Is Jade Plant same as elephant Bush?

Other names of Portulacaria Afra include porkbush and spekboom. ... Portulacaria Afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, are often mistaken for Crassula Ovata 'Jade Plants' because they resemble each other in a lot of ways. Although Elephant Bush closely resemble Jade Plants in appearance, they are not at all related.

Can you eat elephant Bush?

The foliage of elephant bush is edible. Other animals, such as goats, eat the plant from the ground up, preventing the plant from surviving.

How do I thicken my jade trunk?

You can help the Jade plant to grow a thicker trunk by pruning back the plant. You may leave a few leaves on it, but prune back the plant as much as you can. To the first pair of leaves on each branch for example. This way you can keep it shorter and it will focus more on making its trunk thicker.

How often should you water an elephant plant?

Plan on giving plants at least 2-3 inches of water per week. Fertilizing: Elephant ears are heavy eaters, as well as drinkers. Fertilize monthly with a general fertilizer of choice.

Why are my elephant ears drooping?

Elephant ears may droop because there is a problem. Try adjusting the amount of light or water or applying a fertilizer. Another reason for drooping is that the large leaves become too heavy. Staking can help support the plants and prevent drooping.

What does root rot look like?

Root rot can be identified by the presence of soft, brown roots. The root system of a healthy plant should be firm and white. But when soil is soggy, fungal spores multiply and the fungus starts to spread³, developing in the extremities of the roots first.

Is Elephant Bush poisonous to dogs?

The elephant ear plant is a houseplant with giant pointed leaves that look like elephant ears. This plant may be nice to look at, but it can be toxic to your dog. In fact, it can even be fatal if not treated right away.

Is Spekboom the same as jade plant?

Portulacaria afra (known as elephant bush, dwarf jade plant, porkbush and spekboom in Afrikaans) is a small-leaved succulent plant found in South Africa. These succulents commonly have a reddish stem and leaves that are green, but also a variegated cultivar is often seen in cultivation.

Is Elephant Bush toxic to cats?

The Elephant Bush/Plant (Portulacaria afra) is a nontoxic pet safe houseplant you can have around your cats and dogs without worry.