Pachypodium Namaquanum

Pachypodium namaquanum, the Halfmens, grows on rocky slopes in Namaqualand, South Africa, and southern Namibia. Its extraordinary characteristic is the tendency of the columnar stem to lean northward toward the sun—a consistent behavior that inspired its Afrikaans name meaning 'half human.' The stem grows as a single column, bearing leaves and flowers only near the apex. Flowers are brownish-red and fragrant. Listed under CITES Appendix I, it is among the rarest caudex plants in cultivation. Growth is very slow. Extremely porous soil and intense direct sun are essential. Restrained watering during growth and complete drought in winter are correct; summer heat and humidity are its principal cultivation challenge. As a CITES I protected species, it represents the pinnacle of rarity in caudex collecting.

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