Adenium multiflorum is small, succulent tree native to central and eastern Southern Africa. It may be deciduous or evergreen, and is found in dry woods or grassland in its native habitat.[1] It is typically 0.5–3 m tall.[2] Like other succulent members of the family Apocynaceae, A. multiflorum has a milky latex with toxic alkaloids, specifically Cardiac glycosides. This latex is used as an arrow poison and as a fish stunning poison.[3]

Sabi star
Adenium multiflorum in cultivation at the University of California Botanical Garden.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Adenium
Species:
A. multiflorum
Binomial name
Adenium multiflorum

The leaves are simple, with smooth edges, typically oppositely arranged.[4] The flowers, which appear in winter, are typically 5-petaled and may be red, pink, white, or bi-color.[5] The two-capsuled fruits contain long, grooved, hairy brown seeds.[4]

Sometimes called the impala lily, A. multiflorum requires full sun and excellent drainage. It is extremely drought tolerant, but susceptible to the tobacco whitefly.[6] Though frequently used as a bonsai plant indoors, it may be grown outside in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.[7]

It is sometimes treated as a variety or subspecies of Adenium obesum.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Adenium multiflorum – Impala Lily – Buy seeds at rarepalmseeds.com". www.rarepalmseeds.com. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  2. ^ a b Stoffel Petrus Bester (June 2004). "Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch". South African National Biodiversity Institute's plant information website.
  3. ^ Neuwinger, Dieter (July 1996). African Ethnobotany: Poisons and Drugs: Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology. Chapman & Hall. p. 941. ISBN 978-3-8261-0077-2.
  4. ^ a b Becking, David. "Adenium multiflorum | Tree SA". Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  5. ^ "Adenium multiflorum | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  6. ^ "Impala Lily (Adenium multiflorum) - Plants | Candide Gardening". Candide. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  7. ^ "Buy Adenium Multiflorum Seeds - Rarexoticseeds". www.rarexoticseeds.com. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
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