Family: Apocynaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Pachypodium lamerei (commonly called Madagascar palm) is a succulent plant native to south-central and southern Madagascar. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm but a drought-adapted plant with a thick, column-like trunk covered in sharp spines and topped with a crown of long, narrow leaves. Mature plants may also produce fragrant white flowers under the right conditions. Because of its dramatic form and tolerance of dry conditions, it is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens, as well as in containers where it can be moved indoors or protected during cooler weather.

Risks & Threats
This species is generally considered low risk in most landscapes, especially in areas outside its native range where climate conditions limit its spread. It is not known to be highly invasive, and it typically does not naturalize aggressively. However, its sharp spines can cause physical injury, so it should be placed away from walkways and handled with care during pruning or transplanting. In some settings, any ornamental plant introduced outside its native range should still be monitored to ensure it does not escape cultivation or compete with local vegetation, though Pachypodium lamerei is not currently considered a significant ecological threat.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Possesses spines
  
• Toxic properties
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and people
  
• Able to regenerate after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• No evidence of naturalization or invasiveness reported
  
• Requires full sun
  
• Slow growth rate and reaches reproductive maturity after several years
  
• May require specialized pollinators
  
• Short seed viability