Alluaudia procera

Alluaudia procera

Family: Didiereaceae
Common Names: Madagascar ocotillo, African ocotillo
Geographic Origin: Alluaudia procera occupies the spiny thicket forests of southern and southwestern Madagascar at elevations of 100-450 meters – or rarely, 100-800 meters.
Description: A. procera is a spiny tree-like succulent that can reach up to 60 feet tall. Young stems form a pendulous tangle, but over time a central stem will dominate, being erect, woody, and whitish-gray in color. Little branching up to 33 feet, the stems develop alternating channels of globular green leaves and large gray spines. Occasionally, the stems may be bare, as older plants lack spines, and A. procera is deciduous.
From late February to March, small male or female flowers develop in open thyrses at the apex of branches. However, blooms are rarely seen in cultivation.
Interesting Features:

A. procera is both fire and deer resistant, and is capable of surviving long periods of drought.
In fact, Madagascar ocotillo is drought deciduous in its native habitat, but winter deciduous in the southwestern United States.
Considered near threatened, A. procera populations are decreasing as a result of habitat loss and collection for ethnobotanical uses.

Uses: A. procera is an important plant in Madagascar Spiny Forest ecosystems, being a source of food for many lemur species.
- In addition to its value in nature and cultivation, Madagascar ocotillo is used as a living fence and harvested for charcoal in its native habitat.
- Medicinally, essential oils can be created from A. procera leaves, which possess cytotoxic and antibiotic abilities.

Cultivation and Care:
- Watering: Low

A. procera is very drought tolerant and should be rarely watered in order to prevent root-rot. It is recommended to soak the succulent and allow to fully dry in between waterings.

- Soil Type: A very well-draining succulent or cactus soil is required – however, regular potting soil can be used if supplemented with pumice, perlite, or granite.

When planting, ensure that pots have good air-flow and at least one drainage hole.

     - Lighting: Provide filtered sun or partial shade when young, but full sun is necessary for mature specimens to survive. Either site outdoors or in a very sunny window, unless using a grow-light.
     - Propagation: Alluaudia procera can be propagated through seed and herbaceous or softwood cuttings. However, propagation is easier through cuttings, as both male and female plants must be present in order to develop viable seeds.
     - Cold tolerance: 25-40°F, USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.
     - Special Accommodations: Madagascar ocotillo is frost intolerant, and should be placed in a protected greenhouse or brought indoors in the winter.

If fertilizing, dilute fertilizer to 1/4th of the recommended amount.
Lastly, ensure that A. procera is sited away from pedestrian traffic, to avoid damage by the sharp spines.

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