This soon-to-be-published new species adds to the short list of species in this genus of caudiciform members of the sesame family, the Pedaliaceae. Native to northern Namibia, it forms a small tree to 10' tall with a pachycaulous trunk to 2' or more across. This species produces the largest leaves known for this genus but the flowers are characteristically long-tubed, pale-colored and with a sweet nocturnal scent that attracts long-tongued moth pollinators. Seedlings quickly form a swollen spindle-shaped caudiciform resembling an adenium seedling. HBG 97075, plants from seed collected near Otjitanda, west of Opuwo in the Kaokoveld of northern Namibia. $12.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 82 (2), March - April, 2010