Alluaudia comosa
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Alluadia comosa Tsimanampetsotsa.jpg
|image_caption = In Tsimanampetsotsa National Park
|status = VU
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|genus = Alluaudia
|species = comosa
|authority = (Drake) Drake
}}
Alluaudia comosa is a rare species of flowering plant. It belongs to the family Didiereaceae, subfamily Didiereoideae, which is found only in the coastal area of SW Madagascar.Rauh, W. 1983. The morphology and systematic position of the Didiereaceae of Madagascar. Bothalia 14(3/4): 839–843. Didierea comosa Drake is a synonym.Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 06 Jul 2019
Description
File:2016-01-06 14-51-04 parc-tete-or 10f.jpg
Alluaudia comosa has a distinctive, easily recognized silhouette with a short trunk and dense branches that stop in a flat crown.Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Didiereaceae/35431/Alluaudia_comosa> This is a deciduous shrub to small tree 2-6 (-10) metres tall that is woody, semi-succulent and spiny, with spines set singly. Spines are grey and 1.5-3.5 cm long.
Leaves are developed mostly in pairs, set on a short stalk (petiole), dying off at the beginning of the dry season. They are rounded (10–22 mm X 10 mm) and fleshy.
Flowers
Flowers are produced on a reduced inflorescence in Alluaudia comosa; only the end flower develops, and is set on a very short axis. Flowers are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants).