• Pachypodium brevicaule, which means "thick-foot, short-stem", has a grey caudex that resembles an elephant's trunk. This rare plant is one of the smaller species of the family. Pachypodium brevicaule is native to south-central Madagascar and can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Its stem also looks like a blob (or a cow-pie) because it is compressed horizontally and doesn't reach over a few inches high.
  
  The tube-shaped bright yellow flowers are about 3 cm in diameter and bloom in the summer. Its leaves, which are about 2-4 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, form loosely compact rosettes.
  
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  Plants may be shipped bare root.
• Porous and well-drained potting mix. Optimal pH is around 5.0 to 6.0 (slightly acidic).
  
  Full sun.
  
  Water thoroughly only when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Reduce watering to a minimum in the winter.
  
  This plant cannot tolerate the cold, should always be kept in warm temperatures. The minimum temperature required is about 55°F (13°C).
• USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
  USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
  USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
  USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
  USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)