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Pachypodium succulentum

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Photo by Alain Mouchel.

Author:  Robert Sweet, 1830
Family:  APOCYNACEAE
Origin:  South Africa
Soil:  Grit
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  15-23 Centimetres
Height:  1,5 Meters
Flower:  White / Pink
Propagate:  Seeds/Root-Cuttings
Names:  Yeast Root, Fleischiger Dichfuss
Synonyms:  Echites succulenta, Carl von Linnaeus, 1781.
Belonites succulenta
, E. Meyer, 1837.
Pachypodium tomentosum
, G. Don, 1938.
Pachypodium griquense
, Harriet Margaret Louisa Bolus, 1932.
Pachypodium jasminiflorum
, Harriet Margaret Louisa Bolus, 1932.
Echites tuberosus,
Haw. ex Steud.
Pachypodium jasminiflorum,
L.Bolus.
Pachypodium tuberosum,
Lindl.

This member of the Apocynaceae family was given this name by Robert Sweet in 1830. It's found in South Africa, where it preferring well-drained soil, some water and not too much sun, especially not on the caudex. The stem will reach up to 1,5 meter, and get 15 or even 23 centimetres in diameter. The flowers are white-pink, and it can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds.

The genera name from Greek; pachys; 'thick' and Greek podion; 'small foot' for the thick caudiciform trunk, formed by some species. The species name means 'succulent, fleshy'.

The caudex will grow much faster, if it is buried, and it won't! stand frost. The tubes are edible - but hard to enjoy.

The former Pachypodium griquense, Harriet Margaret Louisa Bolus 1932 is now considered to be a smaller form of P. s.: Pachypodium succulentum var. griquense, although I can't find the publication.


Does not grow much bigger than this one.


Group of rescued plants, Port Elizabeth, South Africa