Adenium (Desert Rose)
About
Known commonly as a desert rose, *Adenium obesum* is a popular succulent houseplant and bonsai prized for its dramatically swollen, stout basal caudex and vibrant, tubular flowers. It is notable for its ability to thrive in arid conditions and its use in ornamental horticulture.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a drought-deciduous succulent shrub that can grow up to 5 meters in height. It features pachycaul (disproportionately large) stems and a stout, swollen basal caudex. Leaves are simple, entire, and leathery, measuring 5–15 cm long and 1–8 cm broad. The tubular flowers are 2–5 cm long, with the outer portion reaching 4–6 cm in diameter, and typically display colors ranging from red and pink with a whitish blush in the throat.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Sahel regions south of the Sahara, spanning from Mauritania and Senegal to Sudan, and also found throughout tropical and subtropical eastern and southern Africa, as well as the Arabian Peninsula.
Ecology
The plant is utilized for its sap, which contains cardiac glycosides, historically used as arrow poison for hunting large game and as a fish toxin. Caterpillars of the polka-dot wasp moth are known to feed on the plant.
Cultivation notes
It is a popular houseplant and bonsai that requires a sunny location and a minimum indoor temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) in winter. It thrives on a xeric watering regime, similar to cacti, and can be propagated by seed, stem cuttings, or grafting.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate