Pachypodium rosulatum subsp. gracilius

Scientific Name

Pachypodium rosulatum subsp. gracilius (H.Perrier) Lüthy

Common Names

Elephant’s Foot Plant

Synonyms

Pachypodium gracilius, Pachypodium rosulatum var. gracilius

Scientific Classification

Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Malouetieae
Genus: Pachypodium

Description

Pachypodium rosulatum subsp. gracilius is a beautiful, caudiciform plant up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. It is smaller than Pachypodium rosulatum and has fewer and thinner leaves, slimmer branches and a shorter corolla tube. The branches are reddish-brown, up to 0.4 inch (2 cm) in diameter and up to 2 feet (60 cm) long. The spines are paired and about 0.2 inch (0.5 cm) long. The leaves are dark green, up to 4.4 inches (11 cm) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The flowers are bright yellow on top of a peduncle up to 16 inches (40 cm) long.

Photo via isladelpescado.com

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. 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