PACHYPODIUM SAUNDERSII

This member of the Apocynaceae family was first described by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1892. It is found in southern Africa, growing in summertime in a well-drained soil with some water. It can do with some sun and stands lots of sun. The caudex grow 50 centimetres, the stems reaches one meter and a half. The flowers are white to light rose, and it can only be reproduced by seeds.

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 botanist who found it in South Africa in the late 1800's: Charles Saunders. I found two populations in northern Swaziland. Both on exposed sandstone, and reaching 50 centimetres in diameter for the caudex. The flowers were light rose. The fruits. The origin in northern Swaziland. The flowers are a bit rose or pink. Photo by Ferdinand Poilodan. This is how it look a bit larger in culture. Large plant in Kirstenbosch BG, ZA.