Adenium (genus)

Japanese name: アデニウム
Scientific name: Adenium

[Overview]
A shrubby perennial with a swollen stem, often grown as an ornamental succulent.
The lower part of the stem is swollen.
The leaves are simple, alternate and entire.
A corymb at the stem tip bears several flowers.
The corolla is 5-lobed at the tip and tubular at the base.
The calyx is lanceolate, 5-lobed, and fused at the base.
There are 4 stamens, fused to the lower part of the floral tube.
The fruit is a follicle consisting of 2 mericarps and contains many seeds.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, layering or seed.
Plants raised from seed develop thick trunks, but those from cuttings or layering do not thicken much.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
It is heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant.
It is sensitive to cold, so stop watering to let it drop its leaves and go dormant, and overwinter it in a place that stays at 10 °C or above.
From spring to autumn, place it in a sunny, well-ventilated spot and water thoroughly when the soil dries.
In poor light it becomes leggy.
During the rainy season, water less to avoid excess moisture.
Fertilize from spring to autumn, using a small amount of slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer about once a month.
Pests and diseases include soft rot, spider mites and aphids.

[Notes]
Many have beautiful flowers, and the one called the "desert rose" is especially famous.
It is known to contain toxic cardiotonic compounds.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)