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Sabi Star Adenium

Other plants called Sabi Star:

This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Adenium is a genus of succulents that are a part of the Apocynaceae family, otherwise known as Dogbane because some members provided poisons used to kill dogs. Plants can reach 15' in their native habitat but seldom grow that tall in a garden. The members of this genus are unusual in that they have a caudex (soft swollen stem) as a trunk. The caudex acts as a water storage organ and helps the succulents to survive long periods of drought. Some of these caudices can be 20 to 30 inches wide. As these caudices can develop fantastic shapes, the plants are popular as specimen and bonsai plants.

The members of the genus are very attractive plants with their strange, twisted caudices, branches with crowns of shiny, green leaves at their ends, and 2” wide, tubular flowers in white, pink, red and variegated forms. The flowers are reminiscent of those on the Mandevilla vine.

As they are native to the dry areas in sub-Saharan Africa and Saudi Arabia, these are ideal plants for drought tolerant gardens as well as very sunny, hot spots. Remember to provide sandy or gravelly soil to mimic their desert origins. But be careful where you place them. The leaves and stems carry a latex inside which at a minimum can cause rashes but, if too much is ingested, can be toxic.

As a succulent from dry tropical zones, they are winter hardy in zones 10-11. In other areas they must be protected from winter rains and cold. Once temperatures drop to 55°F at night, bring them inside to a well lit place and reduce watering. The plants may drop their leaves and go dormant. If that happens reduce watering or stop it altogether until the leaves begin to grow. There is a species, Adenium swazicum, which comes from mountainous areas and is more tolerant of cool weather.

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

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
A. obesum
Tags:
#contorted trunk#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#well-drained soil#multistemmed#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#tropical#desert plant#contact dermatitis#container plant#hsc#hsc-s
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
A. obesum
Tags:
#contorted trunk#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#succulent#pink flowers#red flowers#well-drained soil#multistemmed#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#tropical#desert plant#contact dermatitis#container plant#hsc#hsc-s
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Adenium
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Some species can provide a salve used for snake bites and scorpion stings. A tea from the roots can be used to treat fever. In larger doses it is a purgative and can prove toxic.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Arabian Peninsula, Tropical and Southern Africa
    Distribution:
    Sub-Saharan Africa, the Saudi Peninsula, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Central America, Mexico and some islands of the West Indies.
    Wildlife Value:
    The plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds as well the Euploea core (Andaman Crow butterfly).
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Irregular
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • 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 Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    All of the species in this genus have tubular flowers with five petals and up to 2 inches wide. The stamens are usually held above the flower. The color ranges from white to deep red with pinks and lighter reds in between. Some forms have lighter colored throats.There are many variegated flowers as well. As most of the plants for sale come from seed, you will always be surprised by the flowers that appear.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are carried in whorls, at the end of the branches. In some species they are 6” long. They are generally grey-green to bright green in color, leathery in texture and ovate or a variation on that form. The venation is pinnate and reticulate. All are thick and fleshy to help preserve that precious water. Some species are evergreen. If you live in the right zone, a large specimen would make an interesting outdoor Christmas tree. 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The leafless grey-green to brown stems or branches arise from the caudex. They can be straight or twisted. They are fleshy to help with water preservation.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cardiac glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice