Pachypodium succulentum is common and widely distributed in arid stony areas in the Little Karoo and Eastern Cape Province.

The plants are very similar to Pachypodium bispinosum with a large subterranean tuber and can only be positively identified when in flower. The flowers of Pachypodium succulentum are white with a narrow tube and a reddish line in the center of each petal.

Propagation is from seed or cuttings.

Pachyforms: A Guide to Growing Pachycaul and Caudiciform Plants


Pachypodium (Apocynaceae)

Halfmens, Pachypodium Namaquanum, Goegap Reserve, Namaqualand, South Africa, Africa Photographic Poster Print by Ann & Steve Toon, 30x40

Pachypodium bispinosum is mostly confined to the Eastern Cape where is occurs in rocky outcroppings amongst other succulent vegetation. The big tuberous stem is usually hidden underground, but in some indiviual plants protrudes above the soil.

When not in flower the plants are easily confused with the similar Pachypodium succulentum with which it sometimes shares habitat.

The pink-purple flowers of Pachypodium bispinosum appear from early spring to early summer.


Pachypodium bispinosum in habitat near Carlisle Bridge.

Pachypodium lamerei is native to the island of Madagascar. Although commonly known as the "Madagascar Palm" this plant has no relation to the palm trees.

This tall growing succulent is a favourite in many collections and probably the best known Pachypodium in cultivation.

The plants are easy to grow, can take ample water during the summer months, but should be kept dry in winter and protected from frost. A well drained soil is required.

Pachypodium lamerei rarely branches except when the stem is damaged. In nature the stems can grow up to 15 feet tall, but in cultivation the plants are usually smaller. During the summer months the tops of the stems are decorated with a crown of leaves.

The flowers are white and only appear on older plants.



Pachypodium lamerei, a branched specimen in cultivation.


Pachypodium lamerei flowers.

Pachypodium namaquanum has its ditribution in the northern Richtersveld and southern Namibia. This desert area is one of the hottest places south of the Sahara. Rainfall is very limited.

Pachypodium namaquanum is usually found on rocky outcroppings. The leaf crowns always bend towards the north giving the plants a strange, eerie, sometimes human-like appearance. In Afrikaans Pachypodium namaquanum is often referred to as "Halfmens" (Translate: half human).

These desert plants are often easily visible as there is little other vegetation around to compete in size. Some specimens form branches and plants up to 5 m in height have been recorded.

The plants are very slow growing and the larger plants on the photographs maybe a few hundred years old.

Pachypodium namaquanum is relatively easy to grow from seed, and the plants will increase in size considerably faster then in habitat. Even so the gowth rate is much slower then similar looking Pachypodium species from Madagascar.

Pachypodium namaquanum near Umdaus, Richtersveld. A relatively young plant in Pachypodium terms.


Pachypodium namaquanum overlooking an immensly hot inhospitable valley.

Pachypodium namaquanum. A group of plants on a quartzite outcropping.


Pachypodium namaquanum.