Saturday, September 5, 2009

Halfmens - Pachypodium namaquanum




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HALFMENS
Pachypodium namaquanum

This distinctive succulent is endemic to the area I'm now in. It ranges in height from about 2,5 to 5 meters and occurs in dry rocky deserts, among boulders and stony hillsides.

The name "Halfmens", translated from Afrikaans means 'Half Person' - or 'almost human'.

According to local legend, these trees are half man and half plant. This makes sense because, when seen against the skyline from a distance, they could easily be mistaken for humans.

An unusual feature of this plant is that the tip of the stem always inclines towards the north.

Related Post: Halfmens In Bloom

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