The one that I'm looking at has a common name 'Elephant Bush' Now the real name Portulacaria afra Jacq. I din't look to see if yours is varietated, or tri-colored, or green only. Norma

1. Leuchtenbergia principis (agave cactus). You are right, this is a very cool and unusual cactus. From Northern Mexico, it is the only member of the genus Leuchtenbergia. Surprsingly, this genus is closely related to the barrel cactus genus Ferocactus. There are interesting intergeneric hybrids called Ferobergia :)

2. Portulacaria afra

Great plants! Happy growing.

Brad

Here is a link that might be useful: Leuchtenbergia principis

There is a tricolor Portulacaria Afra?

I don't think so.

Could you perhaps mean the variegated one (green & white) which sometimes has red stems? Altho' my stems aren't red now (am growing indoors, in NYC), I have seen the varieg. one w/ red stems; don't know if that's a matter of genetics or just much stronger sun that I can offer.

Tricolor is a common name...
""Variegata" (from at least the early-1960s, it has also been sold under the name "Rainbow Bush" and is also known as "Tricolor") has leaves with distinct tiny carmine-red or purplish-pink margins or edges on pale whitish-green or milky-green leaves with pale green centers and margined creamy-white. There is more green on the undersides of the leaves, often with an appearance of the color having been brushed onto the leaf. The red margin is most distinct on new buds, making up almost all of its coloring. (New buds on the green varieties have much less red margin.) The red might fade a bit with maturity, or deepen red on the same plant. During the cool of winter the red on the margins intensifies and appears to enlargen slightly. During the growing season, branch tips which are pale greenish-red turn to reddish-brown sooner than they would on the green varieties. Old age, insufficient watering, or longterm full sun exposure on this variety shows itself with browned withering of part of the leaf edges and fading of the green in the center as the leaves turn yellowish-white. The leaves curl lengthwise slightly before darkening. Such leaves when dropped might still show a slight red margin and a hint of green although semi-opaque. "

Here is a link that might be useful: Portulacaria afra monograph

Very interesting..thank you for the information.

Mary