PlantFiles: Jabily, Elephant Tree
Operculicarya decaryi

Grows quite fast and without issue in the ground in Santa Barbara, CA. I have to prune my one metre tall plant (diameter approx. 25 centimetres) three times each summer with shears as though it were a hedge.

And you can add the bay area as warm enough for this tree to grow outdoors. My potted plant has made it through a few winters with normal leaf drop and return in spring.I can see with plenty of drainage(same old story) it growing in ground here. One of the hardier caudiciforms we can grow. It will also be happy to be kept in the same 8" pot forever.

This is a wonderful little Madagascan bonsai tree that I have very good luck with. All reports say it is very frost sensitive, and mine has indeed gone deciduous in frosts and freezes (normally listed as an evergreen), but never had any damage done to the plant. It has repeatedly done fine in temps as low as 25F and often even retains its leaves. Sort of an expensive little tree, it is frequently sold as a natural bonsai in a small, shallow pot. It does grow well in well drained soild, too, and it can produce some amazing twisted branches/stems and even roots. The leaves are itty bitty deep, shiny green except in the cold of winter when they are a deep red-brown. My larger plant is not losing its leaves in the winter (had 3 so far) and it has had no problems with frost either (this one potted on the patio). I highly recommend this tree to anyone who likes bonsai or twisted, quirky little trees. Unlike most bonsai, though, this one is extremely drought tolerant, having a somewhat succulent trunk.

Most plants for sale in trade turn out to be females. Male plants are rare for some reason, and you obviously need one of each to make seed (dioecious). But if you have both, and they bloom (very dinky) same time, they are easy to pollinate, and seeds germinate readily with bottom heat. Also plant is easy to make cuttings of, and can be air-layered to make more plants. Just in the last 5 years this plant has become much more available and far cheaper.

IN Madagascar grows up to be a tree.. and if planted in the ground in warm, draining soil, it can for you too.. but looks better when constant trimmed/pinched back to create the bonsai look. Otherwise becomes a twisted gnarly mess of thin branches.