Scientific Name
Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch
Common Name(s)
Impala Lily, Sabi Star, Kudu Lily
Synonym(s)
Adenium obesum var. multiflorum
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Nerieae
Subtribe: Neriinae
Genus: Adenium
Description
Adenium multiflorum is a deciduous succulent shrub or small tree with branched stems that arise from a large underground rootstock. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. For most of the year, the plant does not have flowers or leaves. The bark is shiny grey to brown. Leaves are up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, shiny green above and pale below, and usually much broader towards the tip. Flowers appear in terminal inflorescences. They are up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) in diameter and vary greatly in color, usually with pointed white lobes, crinkly red margins, and red stripes in the throat.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °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, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the plant from the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for a Desert Rose (Adenium obesum).
Origin
This species is native to Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Adenium
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
