Synonyms:

Barleria rigida
Belonites succulentus
Echites succulentus
Echites tuberosus
Pachypodium griquense
Pachypodium jasminiflorum
Pachypodium tomentosum
Pachypodium tuberosum

Habitat:

Native Range and Habitat: Pachypodium succulentum is found exclusively in South Africa, spanning the southern, central, eastern, and northern Cape Province, as well as the western Orange Free State. Its distribution covers a significant area, estimated at over 300,000 square kilometers. In various parts of this range, the species is common or even very common.
Preferred Environment: This plant thrives in arid settings, often nestled among rocks within grasslands. It tends to grow in conjunction with succulent shrubs. It establishes itself at altitudes ranging from 15 to 1400 meters above sea level. Unlike other South African Pachypodium species, Pachypodium succulentum displays remarkable frost resistance, occasionally enduring temperatures as low as -10°C during winter.
Natural Adaptations: Pachypodium succulentum is well-suited to its hot and dry habitat. Its succulent stems function as water reservoirs, enabling survival in challenging conditions. Additionally, its substantial tuberous underground stem aids in enduring prolonged water scarcity. As a result of these adaptations, the plant is capable of enduring extreme heat and extended periods of drought.

Description:

Pachypodium succulentum is a slow-growing succulent shrublet characterized by a sizeable partially submerged tuberous base that supports several slender branches. These branches are often armed with thin, pointed stipular spines beneath the leaves. The flowers, which emerge alongside the leaves, showcase hues of crimson, pink, or occasionally white, accentuated by a darker midstripe. The plant can attain a height of 60 to 200 cm. The stem forms a basal, turnip-shaped, succulent caudex measuring 20-50 cm in length and 10-15(-25) cm in diameter. This caudex elevates around 15 cm above the ground, giving rise to twisting, typically erect, slender branches. These branches are simple or exhibit limited branching, spanning 15-60 cm in length and 6-20 mm in diameter at their base, gradually tapering. A few easily avoidable spines are present. Young stems display a gray tomentose covering, while mature stems are coated with a thin, smooth, wrinkled brownish bark. The leaves, sessile in nature, arise both on long shoots and within sessile clusters (short shoots) originating from the axils of the former. These leaves are linear or oblong-linear, narrowing towards the base, with either obtuse or rare acute tips. They feature recurved margins, measuring 17-45 mm in length and 2-8(-10) mm in width. The leaves are firm, almost leathery, with a green and pubescent upper surface, while the underside is pale and densely tomentose. The stipules, three in number (one intrapetiolar), are spiny. The lateral two stipules of long shoots spread out, spanning 2-27 mm in length and 0.5-2 mm in diameter, while the intrapetiolar stipule is shorter and erect. All three stipules emerge from a noticeable decurrent leaf cushion encircling the leaf base, forming a depression once the leaf is shed. Short shoot stipules are shorter and decrease towards the base of the shoots. The leaves readily distinguish this species from other broad-leaved Pachypodiums, with the exception of Pachypodium bispinosum. Pachypodium succulentum tends to be less deciduous than most Pachypodiums and typically retains some leaves during winter. The flowers emerge in sparsely-flowered, sessile, contracted, finely tomentose terminal cymes. The bracts are small and subulate or lanceolate, falling off early. Pedicels are pubescent and measure (6-)8-10(-12) mm in length. Flowering coincides with leaf growth. The calyx is approximately 3.5-8 mm long, featuring a fine tomentose texture. Sepals are narrow-lanceolate and acuminate. The corolla tube, cylindrical and purple, is pubescent throughout, with a length of 10-80 mm (the infra-staminal part being 4-6 mm long, exhibiting five hairy ridges beneath the stamens, while the supra-staminal section is slightly wider and measures 8-12 mm in length). The corolla assumes a salver shape, spanning more than 2.5 cm in width, with petals that spread and measure 8-10 mm long. The lobes are either crimson, various shades of pink, or rarely white, featuring a darker midstripe and a purple outer half. They are oblong and contract into a distinct claw at the base, ranging from (8-)12-18(-20) mm in length and 5-8 mm in width, with obtuse tips. The stamens are contained within the corolla, and the anthers are sessile or possess very short filaments, appearing sagittate as they adhere to the oblong stigma. The disc is replaced by five distinct glands and is considerably shorter than the ovary. The ovaries unite above into the erect filiform style. Pachypodium succulentum blooms from August to December, and its fruits (follicles) are spindle-shaped and long acuminate, measuring over 5 cm in length and 5-10 mm in diameter, tapering at both ends. The plant produces numerous ovoid, compressed seeds that are 5 mm long, accompanied by a whitish-haired apical coma measuring 2 cm in length. It’s important to note that specialized pollinators are necessary to ensure a successful seed set.

Cultivation:

Pachypodium succulentum demands specific care to avoid potential issues like rot, which can arise if the plants become excessively moist during winter or are cultivated under suboptimal conditions. During the summer, it’s advisable to water generously, yet ensuring the presence of well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging. From November to March, it’s essential to completely abstain from watering. Although the watering regimen will shift based on temperature and growth phase, it’s prudent to never allow this plant to completely desiccate for extended periods. Sensitive to cold, it’s vital to maintain a dry environment throughout winter, at or around 4°C, while ensuring protection from frost. In the winter months, the plant tends to shed its leaves and enters a dormant state. Providing full sun to light shade is ideal for its growth. Over time, Pachypodium succulentum develops an impressive succulent root system that could be raised annually, enhancing its visual appeal with each passing year.

Propagation:

Pachypodium succulentum lends itself to straightforward propagation via both seeds and cuttings. The process of rooting from root cuttings is notably uncomplicated. A segment of the root is carefully extracted and promptly planted, allowing approximately 1 cm to protrude above the top layer of soil. Remarkably, within a span of a few days to several months, fresh leaves will emerge at the tip of the cutting, swiftly followed by the development of new branches and a nascent caudex. In addition to root cuttings, stem cuttings present another avenue for propagation, albeit with a slightly greater level of challenge. This method involves more intricacy in terms of successful establishment.

Curiosity:

The scientific name “Pachypodium succulentum” can be broken down as follows:

“Pachypodium” is derived from the Greek words “pachys,” meaning “thick” or “dense,” and “podion,” meaning “foot.” This likely refers to the plant’s thick stem or base.

“succulentum” is a Latin word meaning “succulent” or “juicy,” which describes the plant’s water-storing characteristics due to its succulent nature.

Collectively, the name “Pachypodium succulentum” highlights the plant’s thick and succulent stem, emphasizing its water storage abilities.

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