Pachypodium brevicaule

Pachypodium brevicaule

Brevicaule Pachypodium is a plant of the genus Pachypodium in the family of the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae ).

Description

Pachypodium brevicaule is a perennial plant whose stem is reduced to a caudex, which is wider than high. At the age of caudex lobed irregular, provided with low, arched branches and reaches a diameter of 1 m. The rind is firm and brown to silvery gray. The leaves are in rosettes between groups of weak, about 3 mm long thorns. The leaves are 2-4 cm long and 1 to 1.6 mm wide, in youth they are hairy on the underside.

The flowers are in pairs up to sixth in reduced cymes. They are bright yellow and salverform. They reach a length of 1.7 to 2.5 cm and a diameter of 2 to 3 cm; the corolla tube has a diameter of about 3 mm.

The fruits are 9-10 cm long, tomentose are hairy and contain 3 mm seeds.

Occurrence

The species is widespread in the central part of Madagascar and grows there on rocks.

System

The species forms natural hybrids with rosulatum densiflorum Pachypodium ( Pachypodium × rauhii ) and Pachipodium.