PACHYPODIUM NAMAQUANUM

This member of the Apocynaceae family was described by Friedrich Martin Josef Welwitsch in 1869. It is only found in a small area, called "The Half Men's Pass" in Richtersveld, South Africa, and nearby Namibia. It grows on the steep hills with little water and lots of sun. The stem will grow up to 25 centimetres in diameter and reach a height of three meters. The flowers are green with a dark purple inside.

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 its origin: Namaqualand This is a winter-grower. This column are Namibian plants.