Pachypodium cactipes – Madagascan Palm – Rare African Succulent – 5 Seeds

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

A squat pachycaule with a smooth trunk that turns silver gray as it ages. There are weak, reddish, conical spines on the upper half of the plant. After the plant first flowers, it begins to branch until it forms a head of short, thick, tapered branches with groups of leaves sprouting from the tips of the branches. Blooms in the late winter and early spring before the leaves appear. The open-faced canary yellow flowers occur at the end of long stalks. In nature, the plant grows in full sun in all types of soil and at varying altitudes. Requires abundant water during the growing season and some water during the winter if it does not lose its leaves. The plant has a clear gummy sap that is used medicinally and as an adhesive. It has been considered poisonous but not caustic. This plant is endemic to Madagascar.

USDA Zone – 9

Season to Sow – Spring