The history of the genus Pachypodium as a scientific classification began in 1830, when the genus was first used in a taxonomical system by John D. Lindley, who placed a single species, P. tuberosum, in it.
In 1844, however, Alphonse Pyrame de Candolle placed several species in the genus.
In 1882, John Gilbert Baker identified the first species of the genus from Madagascar, P. rosulatum.
The first monograph on Pachypodium was published in 1907 by Julien Constantin and Georges Bois.
It listed 17 species in the genus, 10 from Madagascar and 7 from central Africa.