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Pachypodium rosulatum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pachypodium rosulatum
P. rosulatum in Isalo N. P., Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Pachypodium
Species:
P. rosulatum
Binomial name
Pachypodium rosulatum
Baker 1882
Synonyms
  • Pachypodium cactipes K. Schum. 1895.
  • Pachypodium drakei Costantin & Bois
  • Pachypodium rosulatum drakei (Costantin & Bois ) Marckgr.

Pachypodium rosulatum, common name elephant's foot plant, belongs to the family Apocynaceae.

Description

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Pachypodium rosulatum is a shrubby perennial caudiciform plant with a bottle-shaped trunk, brownish silver and almost spineless, about 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) wide and about 20–35 centimetres (7.9–13.8 in) tall. From the caudex depart many thorny cylindrical arms, forming a shrub about 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) tall. The leaves, which fall in the dry season, form a rosette on the top of branches. They are deciduous, dark green, oblanceolate, ovate or elliptical and petiolated. The long-stalked flowers are sulphur-yellow and form an inflorescence about 30 centimetres (12 in) high. Flowering period extends from February through May. The fruits are 6 to 20 inches long and contain elongated seeds with a length of 6 mm.

Distribution

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This plant is native to Madagascar and it is widespread on the central plateau.

Habitat

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These plants prefer sunny and stony areas. The succulent caudex and the underground tuberous enable the plant to tolerate long periods of drought.

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References

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  • Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. London 20:219. 1882
  • "Pachypodium rosulatum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
  • Rapanarivo SHJV, Lavranos JJ, Leeuwenberg AJM Pachypodium (Apocynaceae): taxonomy, habitats and cultivation CRC Press, 1999
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