Adenia fruticosa - 3 Seed Pack - Indigenous Succulent - Worldwide Shipping, NEW

Adenia is a genus in the passionflower family Passifloraceae. Adenia should not to be mistaken for Adenium. Although they are both caudiciform plants and are both named for the city of Aden in Yemen, they belong to different botanical families. Adenias are popular for their swollen woody stem. This type of stem is called a caudex. Adenias form fairly large and decorative ones. Since the caudex is the main attraction, these plants are propagated mostly by seeds since the cuttings, although they strike easily and bloom earlier, rarely produce a caudex.

The genus includes a number of tropical and subtropical xerophytes; many of which form substantially thickened bases or lianas. Adenias are dioecious, which means that plants are either male or female, and that you need both sexes in order to produce seeds. These plants originate from Africa and Madagascar, and should be kept at over 4°C. The sap of Adenia is poisonous, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.

Adenia fruticosa, first described in 1926 by Joseph Burtt Davy, is a summer growing species though it looks best during winter when the deciduous leaves are not present. That is when the caudex of up to 35 cm is noticeable. In South Africa one of its local names is ‘Bobbejaansgif’ which in Afrikaans means Baboon’s poison. Adenia fruticosa, Adenia spinosa, Adenia venenata, Adenia olaboensis, Adenia gummifera and Adenia glauca are among the best known species of Adenia. They are of easy cultivation provided the right environment is given. They also do very well in containers and are drought tolerant, though they like some extra water in summer when the leaves are present. It is cold hardy to -1°C. They prefer well drained gritty loamy soil and NO fertilizer.