Didiereaceae is a family endemic to Madagascar. This endemic family is related to Cactaceae of the New World as Prof. Werner Rauh of Heidelburg University managed to graft a Didierea trollii onto a Pereskiopsis. Hence, the appropriate title of G. Rowley's book - Didereaceae 'Cacti of the Old World' (available at B.C.S.S. Publications ). It is also affectionately coined 'diddies' by Rowley.

So far the family consists of 4 genera: Alluaudia, Alluaudiopsis, Decaryia, Didierea.

Didierea consists of 2 species D. madagascariensis and D. trollii. Both species are popular and much in demand by collectors. D. madagascariensis is very attractive for its strong sharp spination and upright growth. D. trollii begins life as a slow creeping serpertine shrub but will eventually grows into a large shrub with branches pointing outwards like a fountain.

Decaryia is a monotypic genus consisting of only 1 species, D. madagascariensis. D. madagascariensis is also known by a vernacular name 'Zigzag Plant' because of the zigzag growth of a single stem. Alluaudiopsis marnieriana is also another possessing zigzag shoots but is less so than Decaryia.

Alluaudia procera is of course the most common of the 'diddies'. Adult A. procera shows more branching compared to A. ascendens (another popular species) or A. montagnacii.

Position cursur on line drawing to see caption.