Scientific Name
Pachypodium rosulatum Baker
Common Name(s)
Cactus Pachypodium, Elephant's Foot Plant
Synonym(s)
Pachypodium rosulatum subsp. rosulatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Malouetieae
Genus: Pachypodium
Description
Pachypodium rosulatum is a shrubby caudiciform plant with a short, swollen, almost spineless stem that splits to form thorny cylindrical branches with pairs of conical spines arranged in vertical rows. It can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall, with the caudex reaching up to 10 inches (25 cm) in height and 3.3 feet (1 m) in diameter. The spines tend to disappear, and the caudex becomes smooth and greyish-green with age. The leaves are dark green, slightly glossy, pale green on the underside, and clustered at the branch tips. They vary in shape from oblanceolate to ovate or elliptical, measure up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide, and are attached to the branches by a short petiole that can reach up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length.
Terminal inflorescences with 4 to 10 long-stalked, sulfur-yellow flowers on a stalk that can reach a height of up to 16 inches (40 cm) appear mainly in winter and spring.
Origin
Pachypodium rosulatum is native to Madagascar. It grows in full sun in the cracks of rocks in Mahajanga and Toliara at an elevation of about 4,590 feet (1,400 m).
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °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. Therefore, it is 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 absolutely necessary, but the sunlight should not be shielded by natural view protection. A Pachypodium lacking 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.
Subspecies
Links
- Back to genus Pachypodium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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