Common name:Elephant's Food
Botanical name:Portulacaria afra
Interesting succulent that sprawls to 3' x 4' at a moderate rate. Depending on pruning and cold, elephant's food can be grown as a groundcover or small shrub. Accepts full sun to partial shade but does best with some shade in most desert areas. Plants work very well in containers, and can be used indoors or outdoors. Adapted to many different conditions. Rarely flowers. Needs some protection from frost. Native to South Africa.
Common name:Indian Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica
Cactus grows at a moderate rate to 12' x 18'. Usually have no spines. Flowers are yellow to orange and appear in spring. Fruit is edible. Accepts full sun. When they are young, the pads, or mopales of this cactus are used to make a delicious salsa. Treelike scuptural qualities.