Pachypodium Lindl.

Apocynaceae, A. J. M. Leeuwenberg & F. K. Kupicha et al. Flora Zambesiaca 7:2. 1985

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs or small trees with thick succulent trunk and stems.

Morphology General Exudate

Latex present.

Morphology General Spines

Conspicuous ternate spines (the central one often very reduced or absent) present at each node.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or spirally arranged.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes terminal, sessile or pedunculate, few–many-flowered; flowers usually showy, pink, purple, yellow or partly white.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes imbricate, free almost to the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla hypocrateriform to subcampanulate, the tube constricted near the base, tubular to campanulate above; lobes contorted, overlapping to the right.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted above the constriction; anthers subsessile, conniving in a cone, the fertile thecae confined to the upper part of the anther below which a brush-like retinacle projects inwards from the connective, adhering to the clavuncle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc cupular, lobed or replaced by 5 scale-like processes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary of 2 free carpels each containing ∞ ovules on the ventral placenta; style slender, cylindric; clavuncle annular, style 2-lobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit of 2 follicles.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds ∞, ovate to oblong with an apical coma, endosperm scanty or absent.