An Adenium Website
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