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Habitat: those
genera including succulents are distributed in the tropics, the Horn of
Africa, Madagascar,
Socotra, East and South-West Africa.
Description: this large family of dicotyledonous plants with a
shrub-like habit is comprised of more than 200 genera and 2000 species; the
leaves are simple, sometimes alternate, with parallel venation. During the
summer they produce showy, hermaphrodite, radially symmetric flowers with
five petals and five sepals. These can be pollinated only by specialized
insects equipped with a proboscis (butterflies). The fruit can be either a
berry or a drupe. The seeds contain albumen and may be winged or hairy. The
succulent genera, usually with a caudex or a thick stem (pachycaul) have a
toxic latex. The family is related to that of Asclepiadaceae. The ovary is
superior or semi-inferior and consists of two dehiscent follicles bearing
flat seeds.
Soil: basic mix.
Location: grow in full sun.
Temperature: the minimum should stay around 16°C (61°F).
Water: abundant during the growing season.
Cultivation tips: the plants in these genera are delicate; they can
be brought indoors during the winter. Do not forget to feed regularly during
growth periods. Raise from seed.
Main genera: Adenium, Pachypodium, Plumeria.
Adenium obesum ssp. oleifolium
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