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Madagascar bottle tree (Pachypodium geayi)

Pachypodium geayi is a large succulent woody perennial with a thick, bottle-shaped to columnar succulent trunk, usually upright with a few branches near the top. Sources differ on its seasonal leaf loss and dormancy.

LightSources differ on light conditions, describing full sun to bright, light shade, bright filtered light in greenhouse cultivation, and some afternoon shade in hot regions.
WaterSources differ on watering details, but describe normal watering during leafy growth with good drainage and greatly reduced watering during winter dormancy, keeping conditions nearly dry and using a little water when nee
HumidityIt is reported to prefer low humidity.
TemperatureSources differ on a minimum temperature of about 5 °C, and the few available sources likewise report a cold minimum of about 5 °C. It is generally described as suited to the stated USDA hardiness range and as frost tende
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Madagascar bottle tree illustration

Overview

Pachypodium geayi is a large succulent woody perennial with a thick, bottle-shaped to columnar succulent trunk, usually upright with a few branches near the top. Sources differ on its seasonal leaf loss and dormancy.

Origin and habitat

It is reported to be native to southern and southwestern Madagascar, with the southwest as its main native range. It is reported from semi-arid scrub, dry open woodland, ancient coastal dunes, and rocky ground, on substrates including sandy soil, limestone, schist, and red sandy soil. It is adapted to dry, hot conditions and has good drought and heat tolerance.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, reported at about 400–1000 cm, while the few available sources indicate a spread of about 150–250 cm. The leaves cluster at branch tips and are thin, narrow, linear-lanceolate, and gray-green to dark green, with a conspicuous pink to red midrib; sources differ on additional leaf details, including reports of a silvery underside. Mature plants bear white flowers; reports also describe a yellow throat, sweet fragrance, and backward-curving corolla lobes, with flowering in summer or from spring into summer. It has a thickened trunk (pachycaul), and fruit and seeds are also reported.

Light

Sources differ on light conditions, describing full sun to bright, light shade, bright filtered light in greenhouse cultivation, and some afternoon shade in hot regions.

Watering

Sources differ on watering details, but describe normal watering during leafy growth with good drainage and greatly reduced watering during winter dormancy, keeping conditions nearly dry and using a little water when needed to prevent excessive shriveling. It is generally reported that while in leaf, keep evenly moist, while leafless, water sparingly.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer low humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ on a minimum temperature of about 5 °C, and the few available sources likewise report a cold minimum of about 5 °C. It is generally described as suited to the stated USDA hardiness range and as frost tender; keep above freezing. Dormancy varies and is reported to be triggered by cold. It has high heat tolerance.

Growing medium and mounting

A well-drained sandy, gravelly, or general succulent medium is described, with loam and sandy soils also listed and acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions tolerated. It needs a fast-draining mix.

Propagation

Sources differ on propagation details but describe propagation by seed or stem sections and cuttings, including soaking fresh seed in warm water before sowing in moist sand; germination may begin quickly but can continue for months. Propagation methods include seed, cuttings, and division.

Common problems

It is reported to be frost sensitive, with winter cold capable of promoting leaf loss and dormancy and causing cold damage to leaves, while heat tolerance is good.

Identification

Pachypodium geayi has a thick, upright, bottle- or cigar-shaped trunk colored metallic gray to silvery gray and bearing sharp spines, with branches concentrated mainly near the top. Its leaves are narrower and longer than those of the similar Pachypodium lamerei and have a conspicuous pink to red midrib.

Photos

Pachypodium geayi
📷 unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Sources