Adenium obesum

It is an evergreen or drought-deciduous succulent shrub (which can also lose its leaves during cold spells, or according to the subspecies or cultivar). It can grow to 0.12–5 m (0.39–16.40 ft) in height, with pachycaul (disproportionately large) stems and a stout, swollen basal caudex (a rootstock that protrudes from the soil). The leaves are spirally arranged, clustered toward the tips of the shoots, simple entire, leathery in texture, 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in) long and 1–8 cm (0.39–3.15 in) broad. The flowers are tubular, 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) long, with the outer portion 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) diameter with five petals, resembling those of other related genera such as Plumeria and Nerium. The flowers tend to be red and pink, often with a whitish blush outward of the throat.

Flowers and leaves, Thailand

Paired, follicular fruits on cultivated specimen, Bengal

Single, dehiscent fruit showing seeds equipped with double pappus (tuft of hairs at both ends)

Single seed 1 cm (0.39 in) long with pappus

Seed 1 cm (0.39 in) long, stripped of the double pappus which allows wind-dispersal

Seedling, 18 days old, 3.3 cm (1.3 in)

Some taxonomies consider some other species in the genus to be subspecies of Adenium obesum.

Caterpillars of the polka-dot wasp moth (Syntomeida epilais) are known to feed on the desert rose, along with feeding on oleanders.[4]

In areas with year-round warm weather, they can bloom throughout the year.[5]

Adenium obesum produces a sap in its roots and stems that contains cardiac glycosides. This sap is used as arrow poison for hunting large game throughout much of Africa[6] and as a fish toxin.[7]

Flowers of Adenium obesum in West Bengal, India.

Adenium obesum is a popular houseplant and bonsai[8] in temperate regions. It requires a sunny location and a minimum indoor temperature in winter of 10 °C (50 °F). It thrives on a xeric watering regime as required by cacti. A. obesum is typically propagated by seed or stem cuttings. The numerous hybrids are propagated mainly by grafting on to seedling rootstock. While plants grown from seed are more likely to have the swollen caudex at a young age, with time many cutting-grown plants cannot be distinguished from seed-grown plants. Like many plants, Adenium obesum can also be propagated in vitro using plant tissue culture.[9]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[10]

The species has been depicted on postage stamps issued by various countries.[11]

• List of poisonous plants

• 
  Close-up of stand of A. obesum var. socotranum, Socotra
• 
  A. obesum var. socotranum, trunk of single extreme pachycaul specimen, Socotra
• 
  Group of plants growing in scrubland, Tanzania
• 
  Cultivated bonsai specimen with picturesquely contorted caudex and roots, Florida
• 
  Cultivated specimen in Thailand flowering profusely.
• 
  Large fruits on 30-cm tall plant, Chennai.
• 
  2-day seedling with seed husk 15 mm (0.59 in), Chennai.
• 
  Group of plants at the campus of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira in West Bengal, India.

• Adenium obesum in West African plants – A Photo Guide.
• "Adenium obesum" at the Encyclopedia of Life