Pachypodium namaquanum

February 1, 2010

Pachypodium namaquanum, Family: Apocynaceae, belongs to the large group of succulents growing in arid areas of Northern Cape and southern Namibia. Finding him in dry rocky deserts at altitudes of 300-900 m above sea level. These rocky slopes and rocky hills are exposed to extreme conditions of summer, hot air and strong winds. The climate is harsh and unpredictable weather. The amount of rainfall that occur mainly in winter, varying from only 50 to 150 mm. Another source of rainfall is heavy fog, are advancing inland from the coast. Maximum temperature in summer can reach up to 48 ° C.

The plant grows in maturity between 1.5 and 2.5 m in height and achieves size of the tree. Trunk is straight, cylindrical, branching from around its upper half. Branches are also upright atop massive dividing into several other, shorter branches. The plants are characterized by stubby trunk, tapering towards the top, giving the plant lahvovitý appearance. The stems are covered with Hogwarts, from which spines grow up with a slight inclination to the ground. They are thicker towards the top and expanding their tribe increase spacing and are more pronounced.

Spirally arranged leaves accumulate in rosette at the top rostliny.Jejich shape is obovate to oblong, green-color with a velvety soft finish on both surfaces. Towards the top of the leaves are densely accumulate, gradually becoming shorter and narrower, so that creates an impression of the top plume. The hallmark of Pachypodium namaquanum the edges curl leaf blade along its length.

Flowers appear from July to September are tubular, up to 50 mm and 10 mm long integer. Paint the inside of the flower is red, yellow exterior. Fruits are capsules up to 50 mm long. Seeds of 4 mm are light brown with long gray hair. The seeds usually ripen from September to December and are germinating well. Before the sowing is necessary to remove long hair.

P. namaquanum is extremely slow growing species. The annual increase is about 3 cm per year. The location of the plants are dlouhověkými, dožívajícími with 100 years or more. Unfortunately, their existence in nature is threatened by local mineral extraction and grazing cattle in mountain areas. Pachypodium namaquanum is included in CITES Appendix 1 and 2 (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) which means that its free trade is prohibited and import or export of these plants depends on obtaining a certificate and license.

Pachypodium genus includes 23 different species of which 18 are found in Madagascar. Pachypodium namaquanum is one of the five species growing in South Africa. Other species are P. bispinosum, P. succulentum, P. saundersiae and S. Leali. The generic name is composed of two words, pachys - which means thick and podos - foot. The generic name refers to the namaquanum Namaqualand. All plants of the family Apocynaceae are very attractive for cultivation, but must be treated with caution because they are poisonous. Carissa macrocarpa is the exception, the red fruits are edible.

To grow in our climate is rather Pachypodium namaquanum for experienced growers. petrli

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