This member of the Apocynaceae family was described by Emmanuel Drake del Castillo in 1899. It is found on Madagascar, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The stem can grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and five meters height. The flowers are white. 

The genera name from Greek; pachys; 'thick' and Greek podion; 'small foot' for the thick caudiciform trunk, formed by some species. The species name after Monsieur Lamére, a French custom officer.