Anemones are a group of pretty flowering plants that have become very popular recently. It’s easy to see why adeniums make such beautiful houseplants: their bright flowers and thick, sculpted trunks.
I’ve been growing adeniums for years and love their unique appearance But one question I’m often asked is how many different adenium varieties are there?
This seems like a simple question, but the answer is more complex than you might think. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the classification and naming of adeniums to try to pin down the number of existing varieties.
A Contested Genus
This plant is in the Apocynaceae family, which means it is a dogbane. It was first described scientifically in 1819. Adeniums are native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Originally, botanists recognized around 12 separate adenium species. But newer classifications have boiled these down to just 5 accepted species.
- Adenium obesum
- Adenium boehmianum
- Adenium multiflorum
- Adenium oleifolium
- Adenium swazicum
Some of the original 12 names for species are now thought to be the same as A obesum. Other species have been changed to subspecies or varieties within the 5 main species.
So why the shifting classifications? It comes down to inconsistent definitions of what constitutes a distinct adenium “species”. Many kinds of plants can hybridize and create intermediate forms that blur the lines between species. Adeniums readily hybridize, making species hard to pin down.
A Proliferation of Hybrids
To make things even more complicated, there are countless named adenium hybrids and cultivars. Nurseries and collectors have bred adeniums extensively to develop new colors shapes and growth forms.
Some of the most popular hybrid groups include:
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Obesum hybrids – Derived from Adenium obesum, these hybrids come in a rainbow of colors. Popular varieties include ‘Jodi’, ‘Mai Thai’, and ‘Tiki’.
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Arabicum hybrids – Bred for cold hardiness and often having slim, tapering trunks. ‘Arabian Night’ is a famous example.
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Multiflorum hybrids – Known for prolific flowering. Varieties like ‘Blood Red’ and ‘Crimson Star’ fall into this group.
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Boehmianum hybrids – Adding genes from A. boehmianum confers some drought and cold tolerance. For example, ‘Sangria’ and ‘Maui Sunset’.
As you can see, the number of named adenium varieties numbers in the hundreds, if not thousands! New cultivars are still being actively developed today.
So How Many Varieties Are There?
Given the complex taxonomy and extensive hybridization of adeniums, there’s no definitive answer to the total number of varieties in existence.
Based on the 5 accepted species, there are likely only around 5 naturally occurring, “true” adenium varieties in the wild. However, the proliferation of man-made hybrids and cultivars has exploded the number of unique, named varieties into the hundreds or more.
From a collector’s perspective, the possibilities can seem endless! While the classifications continue to evolve, we can say for sure that adeniums encompass an incredibly diverse palette of colors, shapes, and growing habits – more than enough to satisfy any plant lover.
As you search for new adeniums, don’t get too hung up on species names or counts. Focus instead on finding eye-catching plants that fit your climate and growing conditions. With some basic care, these succulent-like desert roses will thrive and reward you with unique, tropical flowers year after year.
Adenium Plants Key Features:
- It helps the Adenium plant keep its water in dry places because its leaves are thick and fleshy. They come in many sizes and shapes, from oval to lance-shaped, and their surface can be shiny or dull. Some varieties even have beautiful patterns on their leaves that make them look even better.
- The Adenium plant’s flowers are popular because they look like trumpets and have petals that overlap, making a beautiful display. The flowers can be pink, red, white, or yellow. Plus, their name sounds like a rose, but these are desert plants, not roses.
- It’s easy to make more Adenium plants by cutting stems and letting seeds sprout. These are common ways to spread Adenium. They need care and patience, but can be rewarding when they work. Seeds can be collected from mature pods.
- Succulents like Adenium desert rose can survive in dry conditions because their stems and leaves can store water. This makes them strong and easy to care for.
- The Adenium arabicum plant is the most common type that can be trained into a bonsai shape. The Adenium obesum plant is also a good choice. Their thick trunks and unique growth patterns make them perfect for bonsai growth.
Stunning Varieties of Adenium | Types of Desert Rose
FAQ
How many species of desert rose are there?
The genus Adenium has been held to contain as many as twelve species. These are considered by other authors to be subspecies or varieties. A late-20th-century classification by Plazier recognizes five species.
What is the rarest desert rose?
Adenium socotranum is one of the more rare varieties of ‘Desert Rose’. A native of Socotra island in the Indian ocean, this plant belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Its bulbous-shaped truck and twiggy branches make it identifiable.
What is the difference between Adenium Multiflorum and Obesum?
obesum, this species has an obligatory long winter dormancy. Regardless of growing conditions, the leaves fall in autumn; growth will not resume for at least four months, longer in cool or dry conditions. Adenium multiflorum flowers profusely for two to four months in winter while leafless, never at other times.