Alluaudia procera “Madagascar Ocotillo” 1gal
Alluaudia procera “Madagascar Ocotillo” is an unusual perennial, succulent, columnar plant with many vertical stems. Alternating pairs of small rounded leaves and sharp gray spines are arranged in channels along the plant’s stems. In its native habitat of Madagascar, it is drought deciduous, but in the Southwestern U.S. it is winter deciduous. However, thicker, older stems are slightly hardier than Zone 9b.
Older plants additionally flower with inconspicuous flowers arranged in thyrses (similar in structure to grape flowers) at the branch tips. Alluadia procera’s vertical stems reach 50 feet in their native habitat, but are more likely to be half that size in California.
Alluaudia procera can grow in containers as a houseplant. The Alluaudia requires a bright location, but can remain in a pot for an extended period of time. Furthermore, it has a similar form to the Ocotillo and is a lovely specimen plant in larger xeriscape plantings, rock and cactus gardens.
Sharp spines cover the plant and therefore the Alluaudia procera should be located away from pedestrian traffic. It is both fire and deer resistant.
Despite its common names of “Madagascar Ocotillo” and “African Ocotillo”, Alluaudia procera is not related to the red-blooming Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) from the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico, but instead is related to Portulacaria afra.
In addition, Alluaudia is endangered and is part of a rich and biologically diverse ecosystem called the Madagascar Spiny Forests. Many lemur species feed on the Alluaudia. It is endangered largely from habitat loss, but it is also collected and used as a living fence and as a source of charcoal in its native habitat.
Horticultural Data
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- Names and Synonyms: Didierea procera, Alluadia procera
- Common Names: Madagascar Ocotillo, Madagascan Ocotillo, African Ocotillo
- Family: Didiereaceae
- Origin: Madagascar
- Height: 15-25′
- Width: 4-6′
- Cold Tolerance: 25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C
- Heat Tolerance: Extreme heat tolerance
- Light Requirement: Full sun or bright location indoors
- Water needs: Very drought tolerant
- Maintenance: Prune as desired to shape plant.
- Uses: Alluaudia procera can grow in containers as a houseplant in a bright location and in a pot, for instance. Furthermore, its form is similar to Ocotillo and works well as a specimen plant in larger xeriscape plantings, rock and cactus gardens. Sharp spines cover the plant and therefore the Alluaudia procera should be located away from pedestrian traffic. It is both fire and deer resistant.
- Propagation: Propagate via stem cuttings or seed. The plant is dioecious so male and female plants are needed to set seed. Plants establish easily after transplantation.
- Problems: Alluaudia procera requires good drainage.
Research Links:
davesgarden.com
www.smgrowers.com
www.cactus-art.biz
www.worldofsucculents.com
en.wikipedia.org
Shipping & Availability
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There is a minimum purchase for online orders and consequently orders must have at least 4 plants of any types. All plants shipped bare root, however other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA.
For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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