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Pachypodium mikea

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Photo from Arid Lands Greenhouses.


Photo from Baobabs.com.

Author: Jonas M. Lüthy, 2005
Family:  APOCYNACEAE
Origin:  Toliara; Madagascar
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  35 Centimetres
Height:  6 Metres
Flower:  White / Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Pachypodium geayi var. mikea ?

This member of the Apocynaceae family was given this name by Jonas M. Lüthy in 2005. It is found near Toliara on Madagascar, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The swollen stem can grow to 35 centimetres or more in diameter, and reach a height of six metres. The large flowers are white with a yellow throat.

The genera name from Greek; pachys; 'thick' and Greek podion; 'small foot' for the thick caudiciform trunk, formed by some species. The species is named after the Mikea people, a group of Malagasy-speaking horticulturalists and foragers who are often described as the lowland hunter-gatherers of Madagascar.

IPNI has Pachypodium as members of the Brassicaceae family.


Photo from the original publication by Jonas M. Lüthy.