Operculicarya pachypus:

(Madagascar’s mini baobab look-alike)

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Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Operculicarya pachypus

• Family: Anacardiaceae (same family as mango, pistachio, and poison ivy)

• Native Range: Southwestern Madagascar

• Common Type: Caudiciform succulent (swollen trunk base) (Operculicarya Pachypus)

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Appearance:

This plant is sculptural, funky, and full of character. Perfect for pots, bonsai, or as a conversation-starting centerpiece.

• Caudex (base/trunk):

  • Swollen, bottle-shaped or knobby with age

  • Gray to brown bark, rough and textured

  • Can grow into a thick, twisted form with tons of personality (Operculicarya Pachypus)

• Branches:

  • Gnarled and contorted, often spiny

  • Small, pinnate leaves emerge during the growing season — similar to a mini tree or fern

  • Deciduous: drops leaves during dormancy, showing off that wild, bare structure

• Height: Rarely exceeds 1–2 meters in cultivation

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Flowers:

• Tiny, inconspicuous, usually greenish or red

• Dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants)

• Flowers often appear before or with the first flush of leaves

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Habitat & Ecology

• Endemic to arid, rocky habitats in Madagascar

• Grows in full sun, in dry forest or spiny thicket ecosystems

• Survives extreme drought by storing water in its caudex

Cultivation & Care

This plant is a dream for caudex collectors and desert plant lovers — just give it the right conditions.

• Light: Full sun to very bright light (essential for compact growth)

• Soil: Fast-draining mix — cactus/succulent soil with extra perlite or pumice

• Water:

  • Water regularly in summer (growing season)

  • Keep almost completely dry during winter dormancy

• Temperature: Not frost-hardy! Keep above 5–10°C (41–50°F)

• Growth Habit: Slow-growing, but rewarding over time — can be pruned for bonsai-style shaping (Operculicarya Pachypus)

⚠️ Care Tips

• Don’t overwater. Rot is the main threat, especially in cool conditions.

• Repotting: Every 2–3 years, or when the caudex is pushing against the pot

• Pests: Occasionally susceptible to mealybugs or scale if stressed

️ Conservation Note

• Native habitat is under threat due to deforestation and overcollection

• Always buy from reputable nurseries that grow from seed or cuttings (not wild-collected)

Why It’s Special

• Looks like a bonsai version of an ancient baobab

• Super sculptural, even when leafless

• One of the most unique caudiciforms you can grow in a pot or on a sunny windowsill