Madagascar Palm
Family
Apocynaceae
Origin
Madagascar
Description
A succulent small tree, looking like a combination of a cactus and a palm, this species of Madagascar-palm looks very similar to Pachypodium lamerei and P. rutenbergianum. This semi-evergreen succulent grows tall and slender with a plump, even obese trunk. Cool, dry winters cause the tufts of lustrous leaves to drop away, leaving a stark, scary looking skeleton.
Pachypodium baronii features a thick, cylindrical trunk studded with sharp, protective spines. This trunk serves as a water reservoir, enabling the plant to survive prolonged periods of drought.
This plant typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet, making it suitable for both landscape and container gardening. The most captivating feature of Pachypodium baronii is its brilliant red flowers, a rarity among succulents. These blooms are typically tubular and emerge in clusters at the top of the plant during the flowering season, which usually occurs in late spring to early summer.
Environment
Pachypodiums require good amount of sunlight . Unlike other succulents, it needs lot of water in summers. The Cactus need regularly water to replenish its moisture reserves in the rest period.
Landscape Uses
Use this tall, architecturally striking succulent in a rock garden among cactus and other frost-tender succulents. Its compact size and striking appearance make it a focal point in any setting.