Spiny tree (not a palm) from southwestern Madagascar with deciduous leaves and white flowers. On the large side for the genus, and the most common Pachypodium in cultivation. Excellent container plant given good drainage, good light, and lots of water in summer. Obeys a seasonal growth cycle with some degree of rest/dormancy in winter, especially in marginal climates. Handle with care during this period (cold sensitive) and provide much less frequent water when the plant is leafless. Flowering begins when the plant is a few years old (age perhaps more important than size) and proceeds over a few months. Flowers are terminal, but the plant will branch afterwards, though maybe only once (with no additional stems). Self fertile. Fruit is a two-horned pod which breaks open when ripe to release large seeds with dandelion-like parachutes.
Shrubby caudiciform succulent with a fat body and narrow, spreading, spiny branches. Deciduous leaves appear toward the end of the branches. Can be spectacular in old age. White flowers in late summer/fall tinged with purple/pink. From southern Africa: South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
The lowest and weirdest of the Pachypodiums, from the central highlands of Madagascar. This caudiciform succulent grows as a fat, low, amorphous blob with spines and deciduous leaves at the growth points. May reach almost 3 feet wide in old age, rarely over a third that size in cultivation. Usually yellow flowers, though a white-flowered version (leucoxanthum) does exist. Flowers appear early in the growth season.
Attractive bottle-shaped or shrubby Pachypodium from Madagascar with lots of branches and yellow flowers. Old plants are spectacular. Larger plants in cultivation are pricey.
Spiny tree (not a palm) from the spiny forest of SW Madagascar with deciduous leaves and white flowers. On the large side for the genus, and probably the second most common Pachypodium in cultivation after P. lamerei, which is a similar looking plant.
One of two similar-looking Pachypodiums which grow a buried caudex, often lifted after several years for display. Mature plants can be spectacular. Both species grow skinny above-ground stems as well, armed with spines and bearing leaves toward the end. Easily controlled with pruning. Protect the caudex from direct sun after lifting it to avoid scarring.
Large succulent tree, usually with a thick trunk and many branches. The largest and most widespread of the Madagascar Pachypodiums. Found mostly at low altitudes on the western side of the island. Uncommon in cultivation.
One of two Pachypodiums with red flowers, this caudiciform succulent grows a globose base with sprawling stems. Relatively small for the genus (caudex to 8 inches in old age). Beautiful flowers and rough, irregular shape.
One of two similar-looking Pachypodiums which grow a buried caudex, often lifted after several years for display. Mature plants can be spectacular. Both species grow skinny above-ground stems as well, armed with spines and bearing leaves toward the end. Easily controlled with pruning. Protect the caudex from direct sun after lifting it to avoid scarring.
Slow-growing, spiny pachycaul succulent from the Richtersveld near the border between South Africa and Namibia, which has a very dry winter-rainfall climate. After many years about half the size of a human (thus the common name), a few feet tall in old age. Sometimes branches from the sides of the main stem, often solitary, responds to loss of the growth center by branching.
