Large, branching succulent tree with fragrant white flowers and wide, rounded, pitted fruit. Paired stipular spines. Named after the Sofia River near the north of its range in the forests of northwestern Madagascar, where it is not common.

May be confused with P. lamerei, which is orders of magnitude more common in cultivation. P. sofiense can be distinguished by its longer, broader leaves, scented flowers, and pitted fruit. It tends to branch earlier and more often, and it can reach a greater size. It has 2 spines instead of 3, and much shorter peduncles (or none at all).

This species was formerly considered a variety of P. rutenbergianum, a potentially more massive tree from Madagascar with narrower leaves and fruit. P. rutenbergianum var. perrieri was placed under P. sofiense when the species were separated.

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