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Impala Lily Adenium obesum

Other plants called Impala Lily:

Phonetic Spelling
a-DEN-ee-um oh-BE-sum
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Desert rose is a succulent plant in the Apocynaceae (dog bane) family native to dry desert regions of Africa, Asia, and Tanzania. 

It is often used as a houseplant for its beautiful flowers and charming, small tree-like shape. From the bulbous, often twisted base, thick succulent gray-green branching stems (called a caudex) with few leaves appear. In the summer bell-shaped flowers are red to shades of pink. The leaves can be green to variegated.

Grow this plant in full sun in potting soil appropriate for cacti and succulents in a pot with several drainage holes. Allow the plant to dry between waterings but water during growing periods, thought it is quite drought tolerant. Provide with fertilizer in spring to encourage blooming. Bring this plant indoors when outside temperatures reach 55°F and decrease water while dormant. Desert rose is also used in bonsai.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Possible insect pests include aphids, scale, and mealybugs.  Fungal leaf spot is an occasional diseases problem.  Soils that are too wet will produce rots.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Adenium.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#small tree#poisonous#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#slow growing#bonsai#interiorscape#winter interest#summer flowers#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#small tree#poisonous#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#slow growing#bonsai#interiorscape#winter interest#summer flowers#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Adenium
    Species:
    obesum
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Tanzania
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Irregular
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit consists of two, oblong, woody, hairy, follicles which are tapered at both ends and attached at the base. They are brown to grey-brown in color. They are full of small oblong seeds with tufts of dirty white to light brown hairs at both ends.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 inch across red to shades of pink bell-shaped flowers have white throats, 5 petals and 5 protruding stamens. Generally bloom in summer as a houseplant but may occasionally repeat.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-4 inch long leathery, fleshy, gray-green leaves appear at the stem tips in whorls. They can range in shape but are usually oblanceolate to spatulate. The venation is pinnate and reticulate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Thick smooth fleshy gray-green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Toxic latex causes contact dermatitis. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, and possibly death.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems