| Adenium Obesum or Desert Rose (Apocynaceae family) is a species of spectacular succulent native to tropical Africa and Arabia. The plant is a spreading succulent bush, two metres in height, with a thick, fleshy, twisted globose base that tapers gradually upwards, may be rigid and upright, with rather weak and spreading, short branches. The leaves are fleshy deciduous, crowded at the top of the branches. The curious form of the plant is further enhanced by some of the showiest flowers of all succulents, often borne in masses over a long season. The flowers are pale pink to deep red on the petal margins, always fading to near white towards the throat. The throat (floral tube) is white, sometimes with faint red nectar guide. The flower size averages about 6-7 cm (two inches) in diameter, but this is quite variable among clones. The Adenium is well adapted for growing in pots. |
