Pachypodium saundersii | Kudu Lily
€100,70
🌱 Morphology
A relatively slow-growing, succulent caudiciform shrub that develops a large, globose tuberous stem, partially or mostly exposed, capable of reaching approximately 1 m in diameter in mature specimens. This caudex stores water and constitutes the species' main adaptation to periods of drought.
Typically, one or several erect branches emerge from the caudex, relatively thick at the base and narrowing rapidly to about 5–10 mm in diameter. They feature thin, smooth, pale gray bark, which can show deep longitudinal wrinkles when the plant is dehydrated.
The leaves are alternate and arranged spirally toward the ends of the branches. They are relatively thin, glossy, medium green on the upper surface and paler on the underside, narrowly obovate in shape with an obtuse, mucronate, or acute apex. They reach approximately 3–8 cm in length and 1–4 cm in width.
At each node, two robust spines appear, generally 2–7 cm long, usually accompanied by a third much smaller spine. Axillary shoots may also feature small clustered spines.
The combination of a very wide caudex, sparsely branched stems, relatively long glossy leaves, and long spines is characteristic of the species.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Family Apocynaceae. Its natural distribution includes KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga in South Africa, Eswatini, southern Mozambique, and southern Zimbabwe. Kew places it mainly in the desert and dry shrubland biome.
It inhabits primarily rocks, crevices, and rocky outcrops in dry forests and relatively arid shrublands, frequently in savanna zones. It can grow both in full sun and in slightly sheltered positions.
The enormous tuberous stem allows it to store water and sustain the plant during dry periods. SANBI also notes that it is a widespread and abundant species throughout much of its South African range.
Taxonomically, for decades it was treated as Pachypodium lealii subsp. saundersii. Kew currently recognizes Pachypodium saundersii as an independent species.
❄️ Temperature
USDA Zone 10a–11b. It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −1 ºC, as a point of reference for well-acclimated, dry, and sheltered specimens.
Although it originates from continental Africa and may experience temperatures near 0 ºC in its habitat, horticultural references usually consider it frost-sensitive. The combination of cold and moisture in the caudex constitutes an especially significant risk.
☀️ Lighting
Indicative DLI PAR: 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.
It requires high light levels to maintain compact growth and properly develop the caudex and branches. It can be grown in full sun after progressive acclimation.
In very hot summers, it may benefit from some protection during the hours of most intense radiation, especially for specimens grown in small containers.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
It is a species adapted to a seasonally dry regime, with growth occurring mainly during the warm and favorable season.
During the vegetative period, it develops new leaves and progressively uses the reserves in the caudex. It is recommended to water abundantly and let the substrate dry out completely before the next watering.
With the arrival of autumn and falling temperatures, its activity begins to decrease. The leaves may yellow and fall, and the plant enters a period of dormancy.
During winter, especially when it remains leafless, it is recommended to keep it practically dry, providing water only exceptionally if the dormancy is excessively prolonged and temperatures are sufficiently mild.
Leaf loss during dormancy is a normal physiological response and should not be interpreted as a need to increase watering.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers are one of the most distinctive features of Pachypodium saundersii.
They appear at the ends of the branches, grouped in dense terminal inflorescences with numerous flowers. They are relatively large and feature a corolla with a long and narrow tube, approximately 3–4.2 cm, which widens toward the top.
The flower is primarily white, although the exterior of the corolla features pink to purple tones, while the interior can show greenish hues. The corolla lobes are relatively short compared to the long floral tube and have a characteristic asymmetric shape.
Natural flowering occurs mainly from late summer to autumn and early southern winter, approximately from February to May. In Spain, it may shift to approximately August–December, depending on temperatures and the dormancy cycle followed by the specimen.
A feature especially useful for distinguishing it from Pachypodium lealii is precisely its earlier flowering and its glossy, practically glabrous leaves. P. lealii also typically reaches a much larger size and has velvety leaves.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
It is not recommended to fertilize during winter dormancy or when the plant has lost its leaves.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
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