Pachypodium (Apocynaceae)

The genus Pachypodium (Apocynaceae) comprises 23 species. Eighteen are endemic to Madagascar and five occur in continental African (Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe). The study is based on herbarium material and living plants. The varieties P. baronii var. windsorii and P. rosulatum var. gracilius are raised to the rank of species and P. cactipes , cited as synonym of P. rosulatum by Markgraf (1976), is reinstated as a distinct species. Recently three new species have been described: P. bicolor , P. eburneum and P. inopinatum and these have been maintained.The key consists of an introductory part, keying out the most conspicuous life forms, and leading to the regional keys for Madagascar and for continental Southern Africa