Kudu Lily
(Pachypodium saundersii)
Kudu Lily (Pachypodium saundersii)
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            © Noeleen du Toit
CC BY-SA 4.0
                        Image By: 
                        © Noeleen du Toit
                    
                    
                        Recorded By: 
                        
                    
                    
                        Copyright: 
                        CC BY-SA 4.0
                    
                    
                        Copyright Notice: 
                        Photo by:  © Noeleen du Toit  |   License Type:  CC BY-SA 4.0  |   License URL:  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/  |   Uploader: anibotani  |   Publisher:  iNaturalist  |   
                    
                 
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                                     
                
                Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pachypodium saundersii, commonly known as Kudu Lily, is a succulent shrub native to rocky outcrops and slopes in the savannas and bushveld of Southern Africa, specifically in the Lebombo Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Eswatini. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach up to 5 feet in height and is characterized by its thick, water-storing stem and sharp, paired spines. The dark green, shiny leaves are deciduous, dropping during the dry season to conserve water. The Kudu Lily blooms in the spring to summer, producing showy clusters of white flowers with a pinkish or purplish tinge at the branch tips.
The Kudu Lily is valued for its sculptural form and striking flowers, making it a popular choice for rockeries, succulent gardens, and as a potted specimen. It requires minimal maintenance once established and is drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soil with infrequent watering. It prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. In cultivation, it is important to mimic its native habitat conditions to ensure healthy growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
        The Kudu Lily is valued for its sculptural form and striking flowers, making it a popular choice for rockeries, succulent gardens, and as a potted specimen. It requires minimal maintenance once established and is drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soil with infrequent watering. It prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. While generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. In cultivation, it is important to mimic its native habitat conditions to ensure healthy growth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Rocky outcrops and slopes in savannas and bushveld of Southern Africa
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Pachypodium saundersii, Pachypodium lealii subsp. saundersii,
GBIF Accepted Name: