PACHYPODIUM LEALII

This member of the Apocynaceae family was described by Friedrich Martin Josef Welwitsch in 1869. It is found in Namibia and southern Angola, growing in grit or other well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stem can grow to 1,5 meters in diameter and depending on the form; 50 centimetres to six meters height. The flowers are white to pale pink.

The genera name from Greek; pachys; 'thick' and Greek podion; 'small foot' for the thick caudiciform trunk, formed by some species. The species name after the Portuguese geologist Fernando da Costa Leal, who first wrote about it. It have two distinguish forms. In the harsh deserts, it tend to be short and fat. In the more lush areas, it will form a tall column. There are combinations in-between. The flower by Robur.q, Wikipedia.org.