The Main Plant entry for Pachypodiums (Pachypodium)

This genus of caudiciform succulents, native to southern Africa and Madagascar, includes trees (lamerei, geayi, decaryi, rutenbergianum), shrubs (saundersii), low-growing plants (brevicaule, eburneum), and geophytes (suculentum, bispinosum), plus sub-shrubs. Flowers are usually white or yellow (rarely red or purplish) and fruit is a two-horned pod which breaks open when ripe to release seeds with dandelion-like parachutes. These plants prefer excellent drainage, abundant water in summer during the active growth season (except namaquanum which typically is more of a winter grower), and lots of sun. Water much less often during dormancy or when plants are losing their leaves. Risk of rot due to overwatering at this time. Most species are not frost tolerant. Plants in marginal climates will be particularly sensitive to excess moisture during winter.

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