Portulacaria, the shrub succulent Portulacaria (elephant's meal) once covered approximately 2 1/2 million acres of its native South Africa. But its population has been reduced significantly by overgrazing sheep and goats. The torch is a hardy, succulent plant that is native to Lesotho or South Africa. It is well-adapted for living in harsh environments. It is a Madagascarian native. It can be damaged by too much sun exposure.