Scientific Name
Pachypodium rutenbergianum Vatke
Common Name(s)
Horombe Clubfoot, Yellow Bell Pachypodium
Synonym(s)
Pachypodium rosulatum var. horombense
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Malouetieae
Genus: Pachypodium
Description
Pachypodium horombense is a succulent plant that grows up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall as a shrub or dwarf tree. The plump bottle-shaped base is surmounted with numerous short fat spiny branches. The oblong leaves are seen in a whorled tuft on branch tips. They are deep green with a yellowish midvein and felted white undersides. During the warmth and increased moisture from late spring into summer, thin flower stalks tower above the leafy branch tips. Each branching stalk is topped by a cluster of few yellow bell-shaped flowers. Each flower has five-pointed petal lobes and a ridge-chambered throat. Unless in flower, this species is difficult to distinguish from Pachypodium rosulatum.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
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 determines 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 necessary, but the sunlight should not be shielded by 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. However, the minimum temperature is much more important for growing Pachypodiums because it triggers the rest. For most 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
This species is native to Madagascar.
Links
- Back to genus Pachypodium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
