Alluaudia is a genus of flowering plants in the Didiereaceae family. There are six species, all endemic to Madagascar. Most of them occur in the southwestern sub-arid forest-thicket vegetation of the island.
The genus includes a few species, but it is not always easy to identify the exact species without close analysis of the plant. Several of them are grown as indoor ornamental plants. Spines are arranged around the leaves as a defense against herbivores. The development of these plants is columnar. They grow, aiming high with scarce lateral development. Plants in cultivation can, but rarely, flower with tiny flowers in open thyrses at the tips of the branches, being interesting but not particularly attractive. Alluaudias are dioecious, so male and female plants must be grown to produce fruit.
The generic name honors Charles Alluaud, a French entomologist who also collected plants.
Growing Conditions and General Care
Alluaudias need full sun or high indoor lighting, well-draining soil, and freely circulating air. The best way to water these succulents is to thoroughly soak the soil and let it dry out completely before watering again. If fertilizer is used, it should be diluted to 1/4 of the label-recommended rate.
These plants must be protected over the winter. Established Alluaudias should tolerate temperatures around 32 °F (0 °C). During the winter months, the plants will drop all their leaves, and no water should be given.
If planted in the landscape, however, it will often shed all its leaves when it enters dormancy. When this happens, reduce watering until the leaves reappear.
Propagation
Alluaudias are propagated from cuttings taken in the spring or from seed when available.
Links
- Back to genus Alluaudia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus