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Nomenclature Issues The nomenclature of adeniums has two interconnected errors, as detailed in Dimmitt and Edwards 2021 . Here is the short version: 1. The first adenium was described by Forsskal in 1775. The type specimen was a plant from Milhan, western Yemen. He thought that it was a succulent oleander and named it Nerium obesum . 2. In 1819 Roemer and Schultes decided that this plant belonged in its own genus and renamed it Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult.. 3. In 1888 Balfour Jr. described a plant from Jabal Shamsan on the Aden Peninsula of Yemen as Adenium arabicum . 4. Since then most botanists have come to the opinion that all of the adeniums in Saudi Arabia and Yemen are the same species. The DNA analysis (Dimmitt and Edwards 2021 ) verified this opinion. The rules of nomenclature dictate that when two published species are determined to be the same, the earlier publication has priority. Therefore Adenium obesum is the valid name for all adeniums on the Arabian Peninsula (except for those in Oman and far southeastern Yemen that were segregated as A. dhofarense ). 5. But recognizing correct name for the Saudi Arabian and Yemeni adeniums would cause confusion because there are plants in East Africa named A. “obesum ”. They are different from the Arabian plants, so they need a new name. Here’s where it gets complicated: 6. Dimmitt and Edwards’ study found that A. “obesum”, A. somalense, and A. crispum in East Africa are genetically so similar (in the 5 loci sequenced) that their taxonomic level can’t be confidently determined. They could be three distinct species, or one highly variable species. Furthermore, there are no known specimens of adeniums from the Sahel region from Sudan to Senegal that are available to be studied, so we have no idea what species (singular or plural) that they belong to. Several other species have been published from this East Africa/Sahel region whose identities are also not settled. These include A. arboreum, coetanum, honghel, micranthum, speciosum, and tricholepis. 7. To settle these issues, much more field work and DNA analysis of the adeniums in East Africa and the Sahel are needed. If anyone can obtain leaves, seeds, or photos of these plants, especially from Ethiopia westward, they would have tremendous scientific and horticultural value. Footnotes

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Adenium swazicum Stapf Adenium swazicum occurs in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and adjacent parts of South Africa. The stems tend to be weak and decumbent, and the caudex (actually swollen roots) tends to be underground. Plants flower in late summer and fall (some clones flower most of the year). The best distinguishing character is the petals of solid color (no fading toward the throat), which is darker in color and lacks nectar guides. In addition, the anther appendages are very short and hidden within the tube. A. boehmianum is the only other species that shares these floral traits. The 2 species are distinguished by growth form: swazicum is a lax shrub while boehmianum is erect and usually arborescent. White flowers occur in cultivation. A. swazicum 'Perpetual Pink '. This clone is a more sturdy plant than is typical of the species, and it flowers year-round. Flower of A. swazicum 'Perpetual Pink'. A. swazicum flower. A. swazicum 'Boyce Thompson ' . This clone has the typical weak stems of the species, but it blooms 9 months a year with very dark purple flowers. A. swazicum 'Boyce Thompson ' . A. swazicum double flower. It does not appear to be in circulation. Photo: John Lucas Adenium swazicum in the Wild Adenium swazicum in the Hlane Game Reserve, northeastern Eswatini. The plants are often short because they are periodically burned to the ground in brush fires and grazed by impala. Photos: James Culverwell Note: A. swazicum is becoming rare and difficult to find because it is extensively collected by local people for medicine. I would love to post more photos of this plant in the wild. If you have any, please contribute photos and a description using this form . Due credit will be given. Back to Top Footnotes

Adenium socotranum Vierh. Adenium socotranum is endemic to the island of Socotra. It is by far the largest species, reaching a height of 15 feet (4.6 m) with a cylindrical trunk up to 8 feet (2.5 m) in diameter at the base. It has a very short growing season. Plants rarely leaf out before mid summer, and stem growth occurs in a single spurt that lasts for only a few weeks. The pink flowers appear in spring while the plants are leafless. The species is easy to grow, but it is very slow. It's difficult to flower. Desert heat and cool nights both seem to inhibit flowering. Under warm greenhouse conditions flowering seems to be triggered by an irrigation during the spring dry season. Plants grown in Asia labeled "Thai socotranum " and "Thai soco "are in fact dwarf varieties of A. "arabicum ". The Above Two: A flat of 2-year old Adenium socotranum seedlings. Right: The seedlings bare-rooted for planting out. This species has huge variation in seedling vigor, more than any other adenium that I've grown. Adenium socotranum seedlings at six years of age. The ruler is 12 inches/30 cm. Above 3 images: Left: Adenium socotranum flowering for the first time at 10 years age. The plant was beheaded when 7 years old to make it branch. Center: The same plant at 20 years from seed. Right: Its caudex at 23 years old in a 24-inch box. This is the most vigorous soco that I've grown out of about 30. Above 3 images: Flowers of three clones of A. socotranum in cultivation. Back to Top Adenium socotranum in the Wild Few of us mortal humans will live long enough to grow Adenium socotranum to its full potential size. The next best option is to enjoy photos from travelers who have been fortunate to visit Socotra. Enjoy this eye candy, with gratitude to several photographers! Adenium socotranum seedling near Qaysoh. Photo: Dylan Hannon A dark-flowered Adenium socotranum seedling at Wadi Darhu. Photo: Dylan Hannon Adenium socotranum on Homhil Plateau. Photo: Dylan Hannon Adenium socotranum . Photo: John Lavranos. Above Two Images: Flowers of Adenium socotranum . Photos: Greg Corman Three monstrous specimens of Adenium socotranum . Photos: Greg Corman. Back to Top Gallery of photos by Robert H. Webb and Toni Yocum Adeniums are locally abunant on Socotra. Back to Top Gallery of photos by Gaetano Moschetti Back to Top Footnotes

Back to Gallery Cultivars of Adenium multiflorum None? I don't know of any selected cultivars of this species that are important to adenium horticulture. If you know of any, please submit photos and a description using this form . Due credit will be given.

Taxonomy There are several species of Adenium , but the exact number is still unresolved. A recent DNA analysis of 5 mitochondrial, nuclear, and chloroplast segments (Dimmitt and Edwards 2021 ) identified seven well-defined species in three distinct clades (groups), and at least one more and perhaps several more species that could not be resolved. The three clades are shown in the graph below left, and their geographic distributions in the map below right. The horizontal lines in the cladogram are approximate measures of the distance between taxa (species or varieties) - the shorter the line, the more closely related the taxa. For example, in the Southern African group, A. boehmianum and swazicum are more closely related to each other than they are to oleifolium , and all 3 are quite distinct from the other 2 clades. The geographic distributions are drawn from limited herbarium records and the personal observations of John Lavranos. Adeniums do not occur continuously within these areas; there are many isolated populations. T he taxa in the Southern African and Arabian clades comprise six clearly defined species. The 3 Southern African species can be defined by their genetic differences alone, indicated by the fairly long horizontal lines between them. They are further distinct in having nonoverlapping geographic ranges. Adenium swazicum and A. boehmianum have very similar flowers, but these two species have very different growth forms, and occur on opposite sides of the continent. They're also geographically separated by A. oleifolium , which is phenotypically very different from the other two. Adenium swazicum (left) and A. boehmianum (center) have very similar flowers. They are unique in the genus in having uniformly colored petals (same shade from tip to throat), dark throats, and very short anther appendages. Both usually but not always have round flowers. But swazicum's leaves are narrow while those of boehmianum are very broad. The flowers of A. oleifolium (right) are quite different: small with nonoverlapping, pointed petals and long anther appendages. The 3 species in the Arabian clade are more closely related to one another than the taxa in the Southern African clade are related. Genetically (according to the 5 sequences analyzed) they could be considered a single species. But there are sufficient vegetative phenotypic and geographic differences to justify separating them. The flowers, however, have widely overlapping traits and are not reliably diagnostic. According to John Lavranos' field experience, Adenium "arabicum " (above left) and A. dhofarense (above middle) on the Arabian Peninsula are separated by a 100 km gap where no adeniums occur. They are also quite different in vegetative form. A. socotranum (above right) is isolated on a small, distant island, and can grow several times larger than any other adenum. The DNA clearly shows that this island giant is derived from the Arabian plants and not from A. somalense . Of the four taxa in the East African clade, Adenium multiflorum (above) is a distinct species. (Even though it is geogrphically in Southern Africa, it's genetically related to the other three far to the north.) Adenium "obesum", somalense , and crispum are a taxonomic problem. They were barely distinguishable by the 5 DNA segments that were analyzed, indicated by the very short horizontal lines between them. They appear to be a single genetic species. Plants of these 3 taxa in cultivation are phenotypically quite different and so are usually easily recognized. However, photos of wild plants show much more variation than we see in cultivation. Some examples of questionable identity are shown in the Other Taxa page. Furthermore, no adeniums from the vast Sahel region are known to be in cultivation, so their DNA could not be sequenced. The few photos available show that they have different vegetative and flower forms from the plants in East Africa. See the Other Taxa page. At this time it is not possible to determine whether the adeniums in this extensive region from East Africa through the Sahel are one highly variable species, or perhaps a multitude of isolated, closely related species. Flowers and leaves of Adenium "obesum " (left), somalense (center), and crispum (right) in cultivation look quite different. The plants are also distinctive (see species pages ). A. "obesum " is an erect or more often a spreading shrub with a modest caudex, and obovate leaves with faint veins. A. somalense has a massive conical trunk (but which is underground in sandy soil), and has elliptical leaves with prominent whitish veins (center inset). A. crispum is a dwarf shrub with linear, crisped leaves that also have prominent veins. But wild populations show much more variation than is seen in cultivation. See the Other Taxa and Unknowns page for details. Footnotes

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Superior Cultivars of Hybrids containing Adenium "arabicum", "obesum", & crispum This is my favorite adenium breeding line; see the hybrid page for details. In short, plants with this parentage grow fast to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, with good caudexes, sturdy stems, and brightly colored flowers most of the year. They are tetraploid, which gives them extra sturdiness and vigor. They're very tolerant of high heat, near-freezing temperatures, and overwatering. Oh - and they're all evergreen. No more panicking when the leaves all turn yellow and fall off. This is a new line of breeding that I began in 2010, so there are very few good cultivars to date. 'Beautiful Loser' 'St. Elmo's Fire' 'Nearly Perfect' 'Tetra Splash #927' 'Radiant Dawn' 'Starbright' 'Beautiful Loser' (MAD532) Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispum complex hybrid (A. "arabicum" x "obesum") 'MAD421' x (A. "obesum" x crispum) 'Happy Princess' Creator: Dimmitt 2009 Plant form: Amazingly vigorous, floppy shrub with giant caudex. Evergreen. Tetraploid. Flower: Round, 60 mm diameter x 23 mm petal width. Petals light red, mostly covered by heavy dark red lines. At the juncture of each two petals, there is a yellow protuberance (? don't know what to call it). Petals tend to quill as they age. Throat yellow, but mostly obscured by prominent red nectar guides. Always in bloom, often profusely. Notes: This was my first arabicum-obesum-crispum hybrid. Only one seed germinated from the cross, and it grew like a weed. I was really excited about it, until it developed its mature form at about 5 years. Super-fast growth, huge caudex, perpetually in bloom with superb flowers. What's wrong with it? If it wasn't brutally pruned and staked, the stems would be lying on the ground! I would have thrown it out, but it redeems itself by being the most fertile breeder in my tetraploid line. It will cross with nearly every other 4n plant that I've matched it with. Its good traits usually come through in the offspring (including the yellow thingys at the throat), and sometimes the floppy stems are lost. Above: The original seedling of adenium 'Beautiful Loser' at 12 years old in a 16-inch pot. Notice all the stakes. In addition, I have pruned off far more biomass than is currently present. Back to Menu Above: The flowers of adenium 'Beautiful Loser'. There must be a term for those yellow bumps? Only a few adeniums have such prominent ones. Above: The original seedling of adenium 'Nearly Perfect #776' at 7 years old in a 16-inch pot. Above: The original seedling of 'Nearly Perfect #776' at 8 years old. 'Nearly Perfect #776' Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispum complex hybrid ('Beautiful Loser' x 'Prolific Behemoth') Creator: Dimmitt 2012 Plant form: Vigorous, upright shrub with large caudex and main stems. Evergreen. Tetraploid Flower: Round, 75 mm diameter x 30 mm petal width. Petals crimson with no fading toward the throat, and large, slightly darker red blotch in petal center. At the juncture of each two petals, there is a yellow protuberance (? don't know what to call it). Throat yellow, but mostly obscured by prominent red nectar guides. Always in bloom, with heavy flushes two or three times a year. Notes: Nearly Perfect is a group term that I use for a few plants that are very similar in being upright shrubs with big caudexes and dark red flowers over a long season. So far only two clones have been selected: MAD776 and MAD777. They also grow superbly from cuttings; no need to graft. Above: The flower of adenium 'Nearly Perfect #776'. Above: A 1-year-old cutting of 'Nearly Perfect #776'. Above: The original seedling of adenium 'Nearly Perfect #776' at 8 years old in a 16-inch pot. Right: Another clone of the Nearly Perfect group: 'Nearly Perfect #777' at 8 years old in a 16-inch pot. Inset: the flower. It's almost identical to #776. Back to Menu 'Radiant Dawn' (MAD689) Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispm complex hybrid ((A. "obesum" x crispum) 'Lily') x a 4th generation (A. "arabicum"-"obesum"-crispum) 'MAD610)) Creator: Dimmitt 2011 Plant form: Medium-sized, spreading shrub with very large caudex. Grows to about 3 feet tall and wide in 10 years. Evergreen. Tetraploid Flower: Round, 72 mm diameter x 29 mm petal width. Petals pink with many darker pink lines. Throat yellow with prominent red nectar guides. Always in bloom, with heavy flushes two or three times a year. Notes: This clone grows easily from cuttings; no need to graft. Back to Menu Above left: The original seedling of adenium 'Radiant Dawn' at 9 years old in a 16-inch pot. Right: the same plant at 11 years. Above: The flowers of adenium 'Radiant Dawn'. Above: The original seedling of adenium 'Starbright' at 10 years old in a 16-inch pot. 'Starbright' (MAD819) Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispum complex hybrid 'Beautiful Loser' x a 4th generation (A. "arabicum"-"obesum"-crispum) 'MAD650)) Creator: Dimmitt 2012 Plant form: Compact, spreading shrub with modest caudex. Grows to about 3 feet tall and wide in 10 years. Sturdy stems need no pruning. Evergreen. Tetraploid Flower: Star-shaped, 76 mm diameter x 28 mm petal width. Petals open flat, but become recurved and quilled after a few days; pink base nearly obscured by nearly solid red streaking. Throat yellow with prominent red nectar guides. Always in bloom, with heavy flushes two or three times a year. High flower count, up to 16 per inflorescence. Notes: This clone grows easily from cuttings; no need to graft. Above: The flowers of adenium 'Starbright'. Back to Menu 'St. Elmo's Fire' (MAD783) Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispum complex hybrid ('Beautiful Loser' x (lost label pollen parent) Creator: Dimmitt 2012 Plant form: Medium-sized, spreading shrub with very large caudex. Grows to about 3 feet tall and wide in 10 years. Evergreen. Tetraploid. Flower: Round, 65 mm diameter x 24 mm petal width. Petals pink with many red lines. Throat yellow with prominent red nectar guides. Always in bloom, with heavy flushes two or three times a year. Notes: This clone grows easily from cuttings; no need to graft. I love seedlings that flower at only a year old. Precocious! (and precious) Above: The flower of adenium 'St. Elmo's Fire'. Above: The original seedling of adenium 'St. Elmo's Fire' at 8 years old in a 16-inch pot. Back to Menu 'Tetra Splash #927') Parentage: Adenium "obesum" x "arabicum" x crispum complex hybrid ('Beautiful Loser' x 'MAD 743') Creator: Dimmitt 2013 Plant form: Medium-sized, upright shrub with good caudex. Grows to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide in 10 years. Evergreen. Tetraploid. Flower: Round, 100 mm diameter x 46 mm petal width. Petals white with large red center blotch and narrow red edge. Throat yellow with faint nectar guides. Blooms several times a year. Notes: This clone grows easily from cuttings; no need to graft. Back to Menu

Superior Cultivars of Adenium crispum Back to Gallery 'Famous Ancestor' 'Famous Ancestor' (MAD106) Above: A specimen of 'Famous Ancestor' grafted onto a 3-foot tall rootstock 9 years earlier. A. crispum can grow large and fast when boosted by a vigorous rootstock. Above: The excellent flower of 'Famous Ancestor'. Few plants of this species have such bold nectar guides. Parentage: Adenium crispum Origin: Seed from a plant collected by Gerald Barad and Seymour Linden in the 1980s. Selected by Dimmitt in 1989. Plant form: Small, spreading shrub, typical of the species, with a small caudex and large swollen roots. Flower: Star-shaped, 40 mm diameter x 13 mm petal width. Petals strongly quilled, pink with very prominent extensions of the red nectar guides that extend all the way to the petal tips, and these are flanked by numerous fine red lines. Throat wide, white with prominent nectar guides. Blooms profusely in spring and sporadically in other warm months. Notes : This is the only known Ade nium crispum cultivar of importance. It is a major contribution to horticulture. This clone is evidently the ancestor of all adeniums with patterned flowers (splashes, blotches, and stripes). See Dimmitt, Joseph, and Palzkill 2009 for details. Left: The wild-collected seed parent of 'Famous Ancestor'. The fusiform caudex is typical of the species, and was below ground. In cultivation most seedlings develop multiple succulent roots. Back to Menu

Back to Gallery Cultivars of Adenium boehmianum None? I don't know of any selected cultivars of this species that are important to adenium horticulture. If you know of any, please submit photos and a description using this form . Due credit will be given.