Pachypodium succulentum (L. fil.) A. DC. (Apocynaceae) A spiny shrublet with a large mainly subterranean rootstock, narrow leaves and pink flowers, native of the dry parts of the E and N Cape, north to Orange Free State, growing in dry rocky and sandy areas, flowering in September–December. Stems to 60cm, fleshy, little branched; leaves oblong-lanceolate to oblanceolate, with a pair of 2.5cm long spines at their base. Flowers 1–2cm long, 2–4cm across, red, pink or white. For dry sandy soil. Min. -3°C. Other species, especially those from Madagascar, are more tender.