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Desert rose

Adenium obesum

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameDesert rose

DescriptionStriking succulent shrub featuring a dramatically swollen trunk (caudex) that stores water, topped with glossy leaves and spectacular trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of pink, red, white, or bicolors. Blooms appear in clusters at branch tips, creating stunning displays against the sculptural form. Despite the name, not a true rose but a member of the dogbane family, prized for bonsai cultivation and as a low-maintenance ornamental. All parts contain toxic milky sap.

FamilyApocynaceae

GenusAdenium

TribeNerieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals forming trumpet-shaped corolla, 5 stamens fused to corolla tube, 2 free carpels (apocarpous) with superior ovaries

Features

Name 'Adenium' possibly from Aden, Yemen, or Arabic 'Adan.' 'Obesum' means 'fat' or 'swollen,' referring to characteristic thick trunk. 'Desert Rose' for drought tolerance and rose-like flowers. 'Sabi Star' from Sabi River region in Zimbabwe. 'Impala Lily' for popularity in impala habitat. About 5 species
Flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) across, trumpet-shaped with 5 overlapping petals. Colors include pink, red, crimson, white, and striking bicolors (often pink with white edges). Blooms in clusters of 5-15 flowers. Flowering primarily spring through summer, can bloom year-round in ideal conditions. Many cultivars with double or multi-petaled forms
Succulent shrub or small tree with distinctive swollen trunk (caudex) storing water for drought survival. Deciduous in dry season or cool weather. Blooms on new growth. Slow-growing, reaching mature size in 5-10 years. Popular for bonsai due to sculptural form
Grows 3-9 feet (1-3 m) tall in ground, typically 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) as container plant. Caudex can reach 3 feet diameter with age. Lifespan of 50+ years. Propagated from seed (slow, 3-4 years to bloom), stem cuttings (faster but no caudex), or grafting
Native to arid regions of eastern and southern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa) and Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Saudi Arabia). Found in rocky, well-drained areas. Now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, especially Thailand (major producer)
Requires full sun (6-8 hours) for best flowering. Needs excellent drainage—use cactus/succulent mix. Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry between waterings. Reduce water in winter. Sensitive to overwatering (causes root rot). Frost tender, bring indoors below 50°F (10°C). Thrives in heat
Popular ornamental for containers, bonsai, and xeriscaping. All parts highly toxic—milky sap contains cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis. Causes vomiting, irregular heartbeat if ingested. Sap irritates skin and eyes. Traditionally used as arrow poison in Africa. Keep away from children and pets. Deer resistant due to toxicity

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificAdenium obesum

English (Alternate)Adenium, Sabi Star, Mock Azalea, Impala Lily

Hindiअडेनियम (Adenium), रेगिस्तानी गुलाब (Registani Gulab)

Tamilபாலைவன ரோஜா (Paalaivana Roja), அடினியம் (Adenium)

Teluguఎడెనియం (eḍeniyam)

Malayalamഅഡീനിയം (Aḍīniyam), ഡെസേർട്ട് റോസ് (Deśeṟṟ ṟōs)

Kannadaಮರುಭೂಮಿ ಗುಲಾಬಿ (Marubhumi Gulabi)

Sanskritएडेनियम (Adenium)

Bengaliমরু গোলাপ (Moru Golap), অ্যাডেনিয়াম (Adenium)

Frenchrose du désert

RussianАдениум (Adenium), Адениум толстый (Adenium tolstyy), Адениум тучный (Adenium tuchny)

SpanishRosa del desierto

GermanWüstenrose

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.