Hi everyone. Oh, is this a mystery for you! I bought a succulent several years ago from the Plant Man in San Diego. I has thrived through two moves, but didn't survive this last one. I would love to replace it, but don't know what it is!

When I bought it, the guy said it was an "elephant cactus." I think of it as a miniature baobab with thorns. It has a single trunk that looks like an elephant's leg (much like the trunk of Euphorbia balsamifera, but it doesn't have white sap). Its sap is clear and sticky. It branches and has thorns on the branches, but not the trunk. It has lanceolate leaves sort of like a crown of thorns, but it doesn't flower. The leaves are not succulent, they are deciduous.

I really, really wish I had a picture to share, but do not. Can anyone help solve this mystery? Or, do you have a phone number for the Plant Man? I can't find his number on the web, just the address and I am a loooonnnngggg way from San Diego.

Thank you!

One more characteristic. It is slow growing. I have had the plant for about 15 years and it is in a 6" pot and it about a foot tall. Of course, I have had to trim it a couple of times because a branch will get too long, so I don't know how big it would have been.

watami!

Could it be a Dorstenia? Although I'm not sure about thorns.
Dorstenia (Dorstenia gigas)

The Pachypodiums generally have thorns all over.

Sorry not to be of more help.

Thanks, Dutchlady! I don't think my plant had whorled leaves like the Dorstenia seems to have. Pachypodium is more like it, yet that smooth trunk is frustrating......

Thanks for the help! It is a new direction I hadn't seen before!

OH MY GOSH!!! You found it for me!! Pachypodium saundersii !!! I didn't know the genus Pachypodium, so I just googled it and found my plant! You are the best!!!

glad I was able to help!! That's a pretty easy Pachy to find, too.

Yes, Pachy saundersii is often referred to as "Elephant club" or "Druid's club" ..Trimming it will result in a fatter caudex, which I think is desirable...they grow really really slow, too. But they are cool!

Sorry late to this thread, just wanted to say Welcome to ATP @watami glad Hetty helped you out!! This is a great site for learning about plants in a friendly atmosphere!
Cheers