Operculicarya decaryi

(Madagascar’s “bonsai tree of the desert”)

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Operculicarya decaryi
• Family: Anacardiaceae
• Native Range: Southern Madagascar
• Common Name: Elephant Tree, Decary’s Operculicarya
• Growth Form: Caudiciform shrub/small tree

Appearance

This species is famous for its intricately twisted, zig-zagging branches and its bonsai-like growth habit, even in the wild.

• Trunk/Caudex:
  • Gnarled, swollen base — though usually less round and thick than pachypus
  • Bark is grayish, rough, and can look ancient even in young plants
  • With age, it forms an artistic, contorted base and trunk structure (Operculicarya Decaryi)
• Leaves:
  • Tiny, bright green, pinnate leaves with several pairs of rounded leaflets
  • Very fine texture — perfect for miniature tree aesthetics
  • Deciduous — drops leaves during drought or winter dormancy
• Branches:
  • Thin, zig-zagging, and often spiny at the nodes
  • New shoots are reddish or green, turning woody with age

Flowers

• Tiny, dark red to purple, often appearing on bare stems
• Not showy, but interesting close-up
• Dioecious — male and female plants are separate
• Pollinated by insects in the wild (Operculicarya Decaryi)

Habitat & Ecology

• Native to dry, stony soils and spiny thickets of Madagascar
• Survives intense drought and full sun
• Grows slowly but adapts beautifully to cultivation

Cultivation & Care

Operculicarya decaryi is ideal for bonsai, succulent collections, or even arid bonsai forests.

• Light: Full sun to very bright filtered light
• Soil: Gritty, fast-draining mix — cactus or bonsai blend with added perlite/pumice
• Water:
  • Moderate in warm months (when actively growing)
  • Let dry out between waterings
  • Very little to no water during dormancy
• Temperature: Protect from frost — keep above 5–10°C (41–50°F)
• Growth Habit: Responds well to pruning, wiring, and shaping

️ Bonsai & Styling

• Easily trained as a miniature tree — responds to branch trimming
• Can form aerial roots in humid conditions
• Great candidate for clump or forest plantings
• Leaf size stays tiny, which makes it look mature even when small

⚠️ Care Tips

• Don’t overwater, especially in cooler months
• Watch for root rot — needs aggressive drainage
• Pests: Occasionally mealybugs or spider mites, but usually pretty tough

️ Conservation

• Native range is under threat from overgrazing and habitat loss
• Protected in the wild — always buy nursery-propagated plants (often from seed or cuttings)

Why It’s Special

• Looks like a perfect bonsai straight from a desert fantasy world
• Easy to grow with the right care, and incredibly rewarding for its unique form
• A true gem for bonsai artists, succulent collectors, and anyone who loves “living sculpture”