Pachypodium lamerei

Madagascar palm

A cluster of three foot tall Madagascar palms, Pachypodium lamerei, on the beach at The Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort in Key Largo, Florida

Not a palm at all but actually in the same family as the frangipani, which does not seem likely until the plant blooms - its flowers share close characteristics with the frangipani's in terms of appearance and fragrance. Madagascar palm enjoys full sun and does not require much in terms of water or fertilizer. Its trunks are very spiny.

A close-up of the circa one inch long spines on the trunk of a Madagascar palm, Pachypodium lamerei