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Pachypodium_lamerei
All Pachypodium are succulent plants that exhibit, to varying degrees, the morphological characteristics of pachycaule trunks and spinescence. These are the most general features of the genus and can be considered distinguishing characteristics. The pachycaule trunk is a morphologically enlarged trunk that stores water so as to survive seasonal drought or intermittent periods of root desiccation in exposed, dry, and rocky conditions. Whereas there is great variation in the habit of the plant body, all Pachypodium exhibit pachycaul growth. Variation in habit can range from dwarf flattened plants to bottle shaped shrubs to dendroid-shaped trees.
THis is the plant on the RIGHT. These are two different species of Madagascar Palm. The second picture shows a moth using the thorns on the trunk as a safe place to hang out.
Spotted on Mar 29, 2012
Submitted on Mar 29, 2012
5 Comments
StavrosApostolou, thank you SO MUCH for the ID. I've made the same picture into two different spottings with the scientific names.
Beautiful!!! ( Pachypodium lamerei and Pachypodium geayi )
too cool, thanks Ava, and smart moths indeed ;)
MaryEvans2 -- Madagascar Palms are only called palms; they're really not in the same family as palms. They have the most amazing matrix of thorns on their trunks, and smart moths get in between and rest on the trunk so birds can't get at them. I'll upload a picture of that on this spotting in a moment.
Very neat looking palm trees. Very different from those found around here.