Operculicarya decaryi

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Elephant Tree or Jabily Tree

Operculicarya Decaryi is a small tree native to South West Madagascar. This small tree belongs to the Family of Anacardiaceae. The most popular member of this family being the Cashew nut tree. This tree belongs to a peculiar kind of plants known as Caudiciform. Caudiciforms are plants that have a fat swollen stem. They are also known as pachycauls. Almost all Caudiciforms are succulents. They develop bulbous roots in which the food is stored for later use when needed. Most of these Caudiciforms have roots that are under the ground. O. decaryi is a small tree with thick stem and almost straight branches.

These types of plants are mostly seen in Southern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian countries and hence they have become the principal exporters of these plant kinds. As the popularity increases for these plants, more home grown and produced plants have emerged.


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Operculicarya decaryi is commonly known as Elephant Tree or Jabily Tree. This is a perfect plant for bonsai. The plant is so beautiful and healthy that it is a great collector’s specimen. Operculicarya Decaryi grows quite fast and without any issues in the ground. It requires well drained soil, some water and plenty of sun. It grows very well from October to June and sheds all its leaves between July and September. The leaves are deep, shiny green except in the winter when they are deep red tp brown in colour. It can sometimes produce amazing twisted branches or roots. When grown on pots it requires continuous pruning as it grows quiet fast. It is one of the hardiest caudiciforms which can be grown well. It is easy to care and can be maintained in a 8" pot forever. The stem grows to a thick caudex of about 1 meter in diameter and reaches a height of about 9 meters in natural habitat. The flowers are deep red to brown in colour. The tree can be easily produced from seeds and cuttings.

O. pachypus is another species of the same genius which is a dwarf variety which is one meter high and 50 cms in diameter. This species has strong zig-zagged smooth branches and bears yellow green flowers.It is a sort of an expensive little tree, as it is mostly sold as a bonsai in a small, shallow pot.