PalmScapes: The Madagascar Palm

As I Wander...

Welcome!

Living in tropical Malaysia, we tend to take the hot humid weather, thundery rainstorms and the spectrum of wild evergreen plants as a given.

Recently, I noticed more exotic plants making its way into landscaped home gardens, recreational parks, frontages of shopping malls and

commercial buildings.

Along kerb sides of residential streets and busy motorways, palms, trees and flowering plants make pleasant and interesting fringes.

This is a record of the various species "as I see it" for I am in awe of palms. Hence, my premise for this blog is that the global garden,

i.e. every physical garden (tended or untended), becomes a part of my, simply said, cyber palm garden. ;-)

Please feel free to share your thoughts or comments.

Thank you for visiting!

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Madagascar Palm

Botanical Name : Pachypodium lamerei

At first sight, this specimen does not look like a palm at all. More of a cactus based on my general understanding of cacti. But having glanced a similar specimen before, this just rang a bell!

A native of Southern Madagascar, this young specimen enjoys the full sun and may grow up to 15ft tall. Way to go, young one!

Its succulent grey trunk is well protected by a natural defense structure similar to 'barb wires'. These intimidating spines could be 2in long.

The elongated thin grey green leaves sit spirally on a crown, like a beautiful starburst at the top of the trunk.

clearly 'do not mess'

This odd looking specimen requires very little water and hardly branches out. Great for an exotic weird looking house plant with no maintenance. Just be very mindful when re-potting or handling - gloves, paper for wrapping etc.

2nd thoughts, a great plant to deter burglars too!