General Plant Information (Edit)
| Plant Habit: |
Shrub
Tree
Cactus/Succulent
|
| Life cycle: |
Perennial
|
| Sun Requirements: |
Full Sun
|
| Water Preferences: |
Dry
|
| Minimum cold hardiness: |
Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
|
| Leaves: |
Deciduous
|
| Suitable Locations: |
Xeriscapic
|
| Resistances: |
Drought tolerant
|
| Containers: |
Needs excellent drainage in pots
|
| Miscellaneous: |
With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth
Dioecious
Goes Dormant
|
- Octopus Tree
- Madagascar Cactus
Posted by
Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on May 25, 2019 12:51 PM concerning plant:
Curious spiny shrub or tree from southwestern Madagascar. May grow over 30 feet tall in nature but rarely approaches that in cultivation. Long, stringy, flexible leaves fall in winter and sprout in late spring or summer on brachyblast bases that are armed with multiple spines. Related to other Didierea and Alluaudia species which also appear in Madagascar; these plants behave somewhat like the New World ocotillos.
Unisexual cream-colored flowers. May be grafted onto Alluaudia procera. Slow growing when young but faster after a few years have passed. Provide excellent drainage and strong light in cultivation. This plant enjoys lots of water while it is leafy during summer, and should be watered less often when dormant during winter, which is the dry season in habitat.
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