Scientific Name
Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch
Common Names
Impala Lily, Sabi Star, Kudu Lily
Synonyms
Adenium obesum var. multiflorum
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Apocynoideae
Tribe: Wrightieae
Genus: Adenium
Description
Adenium multiflorum is a deciduous, succulent shrub or small tree, up to 10 feet (3 m) tall, with stems that arise from a large underground rootstock. The bark is shiny grey to brown, with poisonous watery latex. For most of the year the plants do not have flowers or leaves. The leaves are up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, shiny green above and pale below and usually much broader towards the tip. The flowers are borne in terminal inflorescences. Each flower is up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) in diameter. They vary greatly in color, usually with pointed white lobes, crinkly red margins and red stripes in the throat.
Photo via flickr.com
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. 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. 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
Adenium multiflorum 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
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