Scientific Name
Pachypodium brevicaule Baker
Synonyms
Pachypodium brevicaule subsp. brevicaule
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Malouetieae
Genus: Pachypodium
Description
Pachypodium brevicaule is probably the most different species in the genus. The name means literally 'thick-foot, short-stem' and it is! It looks like a blob (sometimes described as a cow-pie) with leaves. It can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and it is rarely over a few inches tall. The flowers are a beautiful clear yellow and are held above the plant. The plants are silver in color and are multi-branched, but these branches usually evidence themselves only as lobes on the overall 'blob' shape.
Photo via uibk.ac.at
How to Grow and Care
The three parameters of light, temperature and watering are closely linked: you should not change one without the other two. It is therefore important to note that the balance of these three parameters determine the good or bad health of their plant. Pachypodiums need much light because they originally grow under full sun in tropical countries. Direct sunlight is not absolutely necessary, but the sunlight should not be shielded by a natural view protection. A Pachypodium with a lack of light will wither, its branches will be weak and appear "lean" and the leaves will be too big and soft. Over time the Pachypodium will be susceptible to disease and fungus and the plant will eventually die.
The temperature can be very high, as in the habitats in Madagascar and South Africa in the summer. The minimum temperature is much more impotant for growing Pachypodiums because it triggers the rest. For most types of Pachypodiums the minimum temperature is about 55° F (13° C) , but it depends very much on the moisture of the substrate. The drier the substrate, the lower temperatures are possible. Ideally you shouldn't fall below a minimum temperature of 59° F (15° C) during the rest period… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Pachypodium
Origin
Native to the south central regions of Madagascar.
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