Scientific Name
Adenium obesum subsp. boehmianum (Schinz) G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Bushmen's Arrow Poison, Bushman's Poison, Bushman Poison
Synonym(s)
Adenium boehmianum
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Nerieae
Subtribe: Neriinae
Genus: Adenium
Description
Adenium obesum subsp. boehmianum, also known as Adenium boehmianum, is a slow-growing shrub or small tree with barely succulent stems and only modestly fat roots. The leaves are glossy green, club-shaped, and up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. They are the largest in the genus.
The flowers are trumpet-shaped, measure up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and appear in summer. They range in color from white and bright pink to crimson red with a dark purple throat.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
These are not difficult plants to grow well, provided they get enough sunlight and warmth. However, like all succulents, they cannot tolerate sitting in water, and if you err, do it on the side of too little water. Use a specialized soil mix designed for cacti and succulents.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a Desert Rose, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the plant from the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide and antibacterial solution. Next, place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
The Desert Rose is typically propagated by seed. If your plant develops a seed pod, sow the seeds as soon as possible after the pod ripens to maximize the chances of germination. Desert Rose can also be propagated from stem cuttings, but this plant often fails to develop the characteristic (and highly desired) bulbous stem.
Origin
Adenium obesum subsp. boehmianum is endemic to the mostly dry regions of northern Namibia and southern Angola.
Links
- Back to genus Adenium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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