Caudex Plants: 30 Fascinating Plants to Explore

The first time I really got interested in caudex plants, I ran into a problem that I suspect a lot of other collectors have had.

I could find information on Adenium. I could find information on Pachypodium. I could find information on Dioscorea elephantipes.

But I wanted to see everything else.

What other plants have strange swollen trunks? What are those plants with giant underground roots? What are those bizarre vines growing from what looks like a potato? What are the rare plants collectors are growing that I'd never even heard of?

It was surprisingly difficult to find a good, broad list.

That's what this article is meant to be.

This isn't a care guide. There isn't going to be a universal watering schedule or a discussion about soil mixes. This is a rabbit-hole starter list.

If you are fascinated by unusual plants, this is a place to start exploring.

There are hundreds of plants that can be described as caudiciform, spanning many unrelated plant families. Some are common in cultivation, while others are rarely seen outside specialist collections.

So grab a notebook, start searching, and prepare to discover some very strange plants.

What Is a Caudex?

A caudex is a swollen stem or root structure that a plant uses for storing water and nutrients.

Plants with these structures are generally called caudiciforms.

But there isn't a single botanical family called "caudiciforms."

That's one of the things that makes them so interesting.

Caudiciform plants have evolved independently in many different plant families. They can be trees, vines, succulents, geophytes, shrubs, and even plants that look nothing like what we normally think of as a succulent.

Some have their caudex above the soil.

Others keep most of it underground.

Some look like rocks.

Some look like potatoes.

Some look like miniature trees.

And some look like something that shouldn't be growing on Earth at all.

30 Caudex Plants Worth Exploring

This list isn't meant to be a ranking. In fact, one of the best things about caudex plants is that there really isn't a "best" one.

Your favorite might be a plant that nobody else in your collection has ever heard of.

I've divided the list loosely by the type of plant you'll encounter, but there is plenty of overlap.

1. Adenium

Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Desert rose

If you've spent any time around caudex plants, Adenium is probably one of the first genera you'll encounter.

The familiar Adenium obesum is widely cultivated, with its swollen caudex, branching structure and spectacular flowers.

But Adenium goes much further than the common desert rose.

Species such as Adenium arabicum and Adenium socotranum can develop enormous, dramatically shaped trunks.

For someone getting into caudex plants, Adenium is an excellent gateway into the hobby because it combines an incredible caudex with beautiful flowers.

Look into: Adenium obesum, Adenium arabicum, Adenium socotranum, Adenium multiflorum

2. Pachypodium

Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: Madagascar palm

If Adenium is one of the best introductions to caudex plants, Pachypodium is one of the genera that can send you deep down the rabbit hole.

Pachypodium species range from tall, palm-like plants to incredibly squat, bizarre species.

Pachypodium brevicaule is particularly strange, developing a low, flattened body that can look almost like a piece of weathered rock.

Then you have plants such as P. succulentum and P. bispinosum, which develop swollen bases and underground structures.

There are more than 20 species commonly recognized within the genus, with many originating from Madagascar and southern Africa.

Look into: Pachypodium brevicaule, P. succulentum, P. bispinosum, P. densiflorum, P. rosulatum

3. Dioscorea

Family: Dioscoreaceae
Common names: Elephant's foot, turtleback

This is where caudex plants start getting really weird.

Dioscorea elephantipes develops a thick, corky caudex divided into plates that make it look like an elephant's foot or an ancient piece of bark.

It's one of the most recognizable caudex plants in cultivation.

But don't stop there.

The genus contains numerous caudiciform species, including Dioscorea mexicana, D. sylvatica, D. hemicrypta, and many others. A current caudiciform database catalogs more than 20 species in the genus.

Look into: Dioscorea elephantipes, D. mexicana, D. sylvatica, D. hemicrypta

4. Fockea

Family: Apocynaceae

Fockea is one of my favorite examples of how bizarre caudex plants can become.

Fockea edulis can develop a massive, irregular caudex that looks more like a weathered root or potato than a conventional plant.

Above the caudex, the plant produces thin climbing stems and relatively ordinary-looking leaves.

That contrast is part of what makes it so cool.

You can have this enormous, sculptural base with a delicate vine growing from the top.

Look into: Fockea edulis, Fockea natalensis, Fockea sinuata

5. Stephania

Family: Menispermaceae

Stephania is another genus that can become an obsession.

Species such as Stephania erecta produce rounded, flattened caudices with vines emerging from the top.

Stephania cepharantha and related species can have particularly interesting forms.

The plants are relatively compact compared with some of the giant caudiciforms, making them especially interesting for collectors who enjoy small, sculptural specimens.

Look into: Stephania erecta, Stephania cepharantha, Stephania rotunda

6. Operculicarya

Family: Anacardiaceae

If you like bonsai, Operculicarya deserves your attention.

These Madagascar natives can develop thick, gnarled trunks and swollen bases while producing tiny compound leaves.

Operculicarya decaryi is relatively well known, but O. pachypus is especially interesting to caudex collectors because of its dramatically swollen base.

They can have the appearance of ancient miniature trees even when grown in containers.

Look into: Operculicarya decaryi, O. pachypus, O. hyphaenoides

7. Adenia

Family: Passifloraceae

If you want something that looks completely different from an Adenium, start exploring Adenia.

Some species develop enormous, rounded green caudices with vines emerging from the top.

Adenia glauca is particularly spectacular, with a blue-green caudex and climbing growth.

Then there is Adenia globosa, which can develop an almost perfectly rounded caudex.

This is one of those genera where searching for photographs is almost as much fun as growing the plants.

Look into: Adenia glauca, Adenia globosa, Adenia spinosa

8. Jatropha

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Jatropha is another genus with several fascinating caudiciform members.

Some develop smooth, rounded trunks while others become much more unusual.

Jatropha podagrica is probably the most recognizable, with its swollen trunk and large leaves.

There are also much less common species worth exploring if you want to go beyond the plants commonly found in garden centers.

Look into: Jatropha podagrica, Jatropha cathartica

9. Euphorbia

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia is enormous, and only a portion of the genus falls into the caudiciform category.

But those that do can be spectacular.

Some develop thick underground or partially exposed caudices, while others develop bizarre branching structures.

Species such as Euphorbia stellata, E. gorgonis, and E. knuthii are worth looking up.

And this is another reminder that "caudex plant" doesn't necessarily mean "plant that looks like an Adenium."

Look into: Euphorbia stellata, E. gorgonis, E. knuthii, E. tuberosa

10. Tylecodon

Family: Crassulaceae

Tylecodon is a fascinating group of southern African succulents.

Some species develop thick, woody stems and swollen bases, often with unusual branching structures.

Tylecodon paniculatus, sometimes called butter tree, can become a substantial plant with a thick trunk.

Other species are much smaller and more sculptural.

If you enjoy weird succulents, this is a genus worth exploring beyond the typical nursery selection.

11. Othonna

Family: Asteraceae

Yes—a member of the daisy family can be a caudiciform plant.

Othonna is one of those genera that demonstrates just how broad the caudiciform category really is.

Othonna euphorbioides is particularly interesting, developing a thick, woody caudex with small succulent leaves.

It looks nothing like what most people imagine when they hear "daisy family."

And that's exactly why it's fun.

12. Trichodiadema

Family: Aizoaceae

Trichodiadema is a fantastic bridge between the world of mesembs and caudiciform plants.

Species such as Trichodiadema densum develop thickened stems and roots while producing tiny succulent leaves.

Some can be trained into miniature tree-like forms that look almost like tiny bonsai.

Look into: Trichodiadema densum, T. bulbosa, T. fergusoniae

A current caudiciform catalog lists multiple Trichodiadema species among the caudiciform Aizoaceae.

13. Monilaria

Family: Aizoaceae

If you're already fascinated by Lithops and other mesembs, Monilaria is a natural next stop.

Some species produce distinctive paired leaves and develop swollen underground structures.

Monilaria moniliformis is particularly famous for its unusual growth and almost cartoon-like appearance.

It's another example of how the world of mesembs extends far beyond Lithops.

14. Mestoklema

Family: Aizoaceae

Mestoklema is a much less familiar name, which is exactly why it's worth adding to your list.

Species such as Mestoklema tuberosum can develop thickened underground or partially exposed structures with woody stems.

This is the kind of genus that you might never encounter unless you specifically start looking for caudiciform plants.

And that's the point of this list.

15. Ceraria

Family: Portulacaceae

Ceraria is a small genus of unusual succulent shrubs from southern Africa.

Ceraria pygmaea is particularly interesting to collectors, developing a thickened base and tiny, fleshy leaves.

It has a miniature, almost bonsai-like appearance.

This is another plant that looks especially good when the caudex or woody base is elevated and presented as part of the composition.

16. Fouquieria

Family: Fouquieriaceae

Now let's leave Africa and head to Mexico and the American Southwest.

Fouquieria includes some truly strange desert plants.

Fouquieria columnaris, commonly called the Boojum tree, can develop a huge, bottle-shaped trunk.

Fouquieria fasciculata is another particularly interesting caudiciform species.

These plants demonstrate that caudiciform growth isn't limited to African succulents.

17. Bursera

Family: Burseraceae

Bursera contains a number of species with swollen, sculptural trunks.

Bursera fagaroides is one that collectors of unusual bonsai and caudiciform plants often seek out.

The bark and branching structure can become particularly interesting with age.

These are plants worth investigating if your interests extend toward desert trees and succulent bonsai rather than just traditional caudex plants.

18. Cyphostemma

Family: Vitaceae

This is one of my favorite genera to recommend to people who think caudex plants are all small.

Cyphostemma species can develop enormous, thickened bases while producing climbing or vining growth.

Cyphostemma juttae is one of the better-known examples.

The contrast between the thick, sculptural trunk and leafy vine makes it particularly interesting as a specimen plant.

19. Dioscorea mexicana

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Yes, I'm giving this one its own entry even though we already covered Dioscorea.

It's worth it.

If you've only ever seen Dioscorea elephantipes, you might assume all Dioscorea look similar.

They don't.

Dioscorea mexicana can develop a different-looking caudex with its own character and growth habit.

Once you start exploring individual species rather than just genera, this hobby gets much deeper.

20. Ipomoea

Family: Convolvulaceae

You probably know Ipomoea as the genus containing morning glories.

But there are also caudiciform members.

Ipomoea bolusiana and Ipomoea platensis, among others, can develop thickened bases and unusual growth habits.

It's another excellent example of why you can't assume a plant family is either "caudiciform" or "not caudiciform."

21. Ibervillea

Family: Cucurbitaceae

This one is particularly fun.

Yes, the cucumber family has caudex plants.

Ibervillea species can produce large underground or partially exposed caudices with vines growing from them.

Ibervillea lindheimeri is one species worth searching for.

The plants can look almost like a strange combination of a squash plant and a bonsai.

22. Coccinia

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Another cucumber-family oddity.

Coccinia species can develop swollen underground structures and climbing stems.

They're a good reminder that the caudiciform world includes vines and geophytes, not just plants with fat trunks.

23. Kedrostis

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Kedrostis is another genus for the serious caudex rabbit hole.

Kedrostis africana is probably the species you're most likely to encounter when searching.

It produces a swollen caudex with climbing annual growth emerging from it.

The caudex can become dramatically sculptural with age.

24. Cissus

Family: Vitaceae

Cissus is another familiar plant genus with some unusual caudiciform members.

Certain species develop swollen trunks or bases while producing climbing stems.

Cissus tuberosa is a particularly interesting one to look up.

It looks nothing like the ordinary ornamental vines most people associate with Cissus.

25. Brachychiton

Family: Malvaceae

Now we're getting into plants that can become genuinely large.

Brachychiton rupestris, the Queensland bottle tree, develops a spectacular swollen trunk designed to store water.

This isn't necessarily the tiny windowsill caudex plant you might have imagined when starting this list.

But morphologically, it fits beautifully into the world of water-storing plants.

It's a great example of how the caudiciform form can occur in trees as well as small succulents.

26. Adansonia

Family: Malvaceae

The baobabs may be among the most spectacular examples of water-storage adaptations in the plant world.

Their enormous trunks are essentially giant living storage structures.

Species such as Adansonia digitata can become enormous in habitat.

For container growers, there are also smaller species and seedlings that can be grown as unusual specimens.

If you're interested in caudex plants because you love massive trunks and ancient-looking forms, baobabs are worth researching.

27. Pterodiscus

Family: Pedaliaceae

Pterodiscus is a genus I would put firmly into the "go look this up immediately" category.

Species such as Pterodiscus speciosus and Pterodiscus makatiniensis develop chunky underground caudices with seasonal leafy growth.

They're not plants you're likely to stumble across at your local garden center.

That's part of their appeal.

28. Raphionacme

Family: Apocynaceae

Raphionacme is another fascinating group of African caudiciform plants.

Species such as Raphionacme hirsuta and R. burkei develop swollen underground structures with vining growth.

They aren't nearly as well known as Adenium or Pachypodium, but they're exactly the kind of plants that make a caudex collection interesting.

29. Pseudobombax

Family: Malvaceae

If you like strange trees, Pseudobombax deserves a place on your list.

Some species develop remarkably swollen trunks and unusual branching structures.

They can take on an almost cartoonish appearance when young and become increasingly impressive as they mature.

This is another genus where bonsai and caudiciform collecting overlap beautifully.

30. Commiphora

Family: Burseraceae

Commiphora includes many woody plants adapted to dry environments.

Some species develop thickened, sculptural trunks and bases that make them fascinating specimen plants.

They're particularly interesting if your definition of a caudex plant is broad enough to include bottle trees, fat trunks, and unusual woody xerophytes.

And I think it should be.

And That's Still Only the Beginning

If you've made it this far, you may have noticed something.

We started with:

Adenium

and somehow ended up talking about:

morning glories, cucumbers, daisies, trees, euphorbias, vines, mesembs, and baobabs.

That's because caudiciform plants aren't really a single group.

They're a growth form that evolved independently in many different lineages.

Current caudiciform references list plants across a remarkable range of families, including Apocynaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Passifloraceae, Vitaceae, Malvaceae, Aizoaceae and many others.

And that's what makes collecting them so much fun.

A Few More Genera to Put on Your Radar

If 30 plants still aren't enough to satisfy your curiosity, here are some additional genera worth searching:

• Alluaudia

• Anredera

• Boophane

• Brighamia

• Ceropegia

• Commiphora

• Cussonia

• Dorstenia

• Entada

• Haemanthus

• Hydnophytum

• Jatropha

• Merremia

• Monadenium

• Pachycormus

• Petopentia

• Phyllanthus

• Sinningia

• Talinum

• Uncarina

• Xerosicyos

Some of these are commonly encountered in cultivation, while others are much more specialized. A comprehensive caudiciform list can easily extend into the hundreds of species and more than a hundred genera depending on how broadly the term is defined.

The Plants I'd Start With

If you're new to caudex plants and don't know where to start exploring, I'd specifically search for these:

Adenium obesum

Probably the easiest gateway into the hobby.

Pachypodium brevicaule

One of the strangest Pachypodiums.

Dioscorea elephantipes

The classic turtleback caudex.

Fockea edulis

Huge, bizarre caudex with a delicate vine.

Stephania erecta

Compact and incredibly unusual.

Adenia glauca

That blue-green caudex is hard to beat.

Operculicarya pachypus

Fantastic for the bonsai-minded collector.

Pterodiscus

For when you decide the common plants aren't weird enough.

Caudex Plants Are a Rabbit Hole

The first caudex plant you buy probably won't be your last.

You might start with an Adenium because you like the flowers.

Then you discover Pachypodium.

Then Dioscorea.

Then Fockea.

Then someone shows you a bizarre Pterodiscus you've never heard of.

Then you discover Adenia.

Then you start looking at Cucurbitaceae.

And suddenly you're searching for plants that look like rocks, potatoes, bottles, elephant feet and miniature ancient trees.

That's the fun.

Caudex plants aren't really a category you finish exploring.

They're a doorway into one of the strangest corners of the plant world.

And if you're anything like me, the best part isn't just growing them.

It's finding the next weird one you've never seen before.