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Madagascar ocotillo

How to identify Madagascar ocotillo (Alluaudia procera)

Madagascar ocotillo, also known as Arbre pieuvre

Madagascar ocotillo exhibits a unique structural form with its largely unbranched, stout, whitish-gray stems that grow upright and can occasionally fork in a pendulous manner before arcing up. The stems are adorned with grey spines and rounded succulent leaves, approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) long, which emerge in pairs. These elements are arranged along longitudinal lines with shallow channels that flatten with age, causing wider spacing of leaves and spines. While flowering is rare in cultivation, madagascar ocotillo's potential blooms are small, with greenish-yellow flowers that display a modest appearance.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Succulent

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Deciduous

Quickly Identify Madagascar ocotillo

1

Stout, whitish-gray upright stems with occasional pendulous forking.

2

Smooth, succulent oval leaves in pairs attached directly to trunk.

3

Yellowish white flowers in dense clusters at branch tips, dioecious.

4

One-seeded nut fruit, top broadening to narrow base, 0.08-0.12 inches long.

5

Distinctive white trunk with pronounced conical spines, single or branched structure.

Madagascar ocotilloMadagascar ocotilloMadagascar ocotilloMadagascar ocotilloMadagascar ocotillo

Detailed Traits of Madagascar ocotillo

Leaf Features

The leaves of madagascar ocotillo are smooth and succulent, with an oval to round shape and rounded leaf tips. They measure between 0.4 and 2 inches (1-5 cm) in length. These leaves occur in pairs, closely attached to the plant's trunk. Their texture is fleshy, contributing to their succulent nature, and they are directly attached without a petiole. The smooth, simple leaves lack prominent vein patterns, giving them a clean, uniform appearance.

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Flower Features

The flowers of madagascar ocotillo form dense clusters at the branch tips and exhibit a yellowish white hue. They are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers develop on separate plants, each contributing to the reproductive process. The blossoms, small in size at approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter, lack prominent scent. Blooming typically occurs in summer, enhancing identification during this period.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of madagascar ocotillo is a notable one-seeded nut, petite in size, measuring only about 0.08-0.12 inches (2-3 mm) in length. Resembling the shape of a spinning top, the fruit is characterized by its broader, rounded top tapering to a narrower base. Upon maturity, these fruits take on a hard texture, indicative of their nut-like classification. While the exact coloration is not specified, nuts of this kind typically display hues that blend with their native habitat, potentially aiding in their subtle concealment from foragers. Such structural features are distinct, aiding in the identification of madagascar ocotillo among enthusiasts.

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Key Facts About Madagascar ocotillo

Attributes of Madagascar ocotillo
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Succulent
Plant Height
7 m
Spread
2 m
Flower Size
12 cm to 30 cm
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Scientific Classification of Madagascar ocotillo

Family
Didierea
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Species
Madagascar ocotillo (Alluaudia procera)
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Distribution Map of Madagascar ocotillo

Madagascar ocotillo is indigenous to the arid ecosystems of the island continent of Madagascar. Outside its native range, madagascar ocotillo is cultivated in various regions with suitable dry climates. This succulent has adapted to both its natural habitat and as an introduced species in semi-arid areas across major continents.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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