About Adenium obesum subsp. multiflorum (Klotzsch) G.D.Rowley
This taxon is Adenium obesum subsp. multiflorum (Klotzsch) G.D.Rowley, a subspecies of Adenium obesum. It is an evergreen or drought-deciduous succulent shrub that may also drop its leaves during cold spells, or based on its subspecies or cultivar. It reaches heights between 0.12–5 m (0.39–16.40 ft), and has pachycaul stems that are disproportionately large, plus a stout, swollen basal caudex (a protruding rootstock that sits above the soil line). Its leaves are arranged spirally, clustered near the tips of shoots, are simple with entire margins, and have a leathery texture. Leaves measure 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in) long and 1–8 cm (0.39–3.15 in) wide. Its flowers are tubular, 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) long, with an outer diameter of 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) and five petals. The flowers resemble those of other related genera such as Plumeria and Nerium, and are typically red or pink, often with a pale whitish blush on the outer sections beyond the flower throat. Caterpillars of the polka-dot wasp moth (Syntomeida epilais) feed on this plant, alongside feeding on oleanders. In regions with consistently warm weather year-round, this plant can bloom throughout the entire year. Adenium obesum produces sap in its roots and stems that contains cardiac glycosides. This sap is used as arrow poison for hunting large game across much of Africa, and also as a fish toxin. Adenium obesum is a popular houseplant and bonsai plant in temperate regions. It needs a sunny growing location and a minimum indoor winter temperature of 10 °C (50 °F). It grows well with the xeric watering schedule suited for cacti. Adenium obesum is most often propagated by seed or stem cuttings. Its numerous hybrids are mainly propagated via grafting onto seedling rootstock. Plants grown from seed are more likely to develop a swollen caudex when young, and after several years of growth, many cutting-grown plants cannot be told apart from seed-grown plants. Like many plant species, Adenium obesum can also be propagated through in vitro plant tissue culture. This plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
