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Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch
Protologue
Peters, Naturw. Reise Mossambique Vol. 6, Botanik 1: 279, t. 44 (1861).
Family
Apocynaceae
Chromosome number
2n = 22
Synonyms
Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. var. multiflorum (Klotzsch) L.E.Codd
(1961), Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. subsp. multiflorum
(Klotzsch) G.D.Rowley (1974).
Vernacular names
Sabi star, impala lily (En). Megoza (Po).
Origin and geographic distribution
Adenium multiflorum is widespread in Malawi, southeastern Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique, Swaziland and north-eastern South Africa.
Uses
The stem latex of Adenium multiflorum has long been used in Zimbabwe and
Zambia to prepare arrow poison and fish poison. Usually, the poison is combined
with that of other plants. In Zimbabwe the root and stem latex are used in
veterinary medicine; an extract is given against diarrhoea and eye diseases in
domestic birds.
Like other Adenium spp., Adenium multiflorum is grown as an ornamental for its
curious habit and striking flowers. In Zimbabwe Adenium multiflorum is relished
by cattle and also wild animals, which browse the plants down to ground level,
indicating that plants with low toxicity exist.
Production and international trade
There is some international trade of seeds and plants of Adenium multiflorum for
ornamental purposes.
Properties
Adenium multiflorum contains cardenolide glycosides similar to those found in
Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. The glycosides identified include:
16-desacetyl-16-anhydrohongheloside A (composed of 16-anhydrogitoxigenin
and D-cymarose), 16-anhydrostrospeside (composed of 16-anhydrogitoxigenin
and D-digitalose) and strospeside (composed of gitoxigenin and D-digitalose).
There may be chemical differences between Adenium multiflorum from different
provenances, as the plant is relished by animals in Zimbabwe, but in other
countries it is considered highly poisonous.
Botany
Succulent shrub or small tree up to 3.5 m tall, with watery latex and with large
thickened root, up to 1 m in diameter at stem base; bark shiny grey. Leaves
arranged spirally, clustered at end of branchlets, simple; stipules minute or
absent; petiole 3–7 mm long; blade obovate to oblong, 7.5–12.5 cm × 2–7.5 cm,
base cuneate, apex acute to rounded or emarginate, apiculate or mucronate,
entire, leathery, glabrous, pinnately veined with distinct lateral veins.
Inflorescence a dense terminal cyme; bracts narrowly obovate, 4–6 mm × 1–3
mm. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous, showy, usually appearing before the
leaves; pedicel 2–4 mm long, densely hairy; sepals narrowly ovate, 6–10 mm ×
2.5–3 mm, fused at base, hairy; corolla with funnel-shaped tube 2.2–4 cm × 1–1.3
cm and narrowly ovate to narrowly obovate, spreading lobes 1.3–3 cm × 1–2 cm,
red, pink to white with deep pink to scarlet margins and red stripes inside the
throat, hairy outside; stamens inserted near base of corolla tube, distinctly
exserted, anthers forming a cone covering the pistil, base sagittate, 5–7 mm long,
with long apical appendices; ovary superior, composed of 2 free carpels,
glabrous, styles fused, slender, with well-developed clavuncula. Fruit consisting
of 2 oblong follicles 10–18 cm long, eventually spreading at 180°, pale grey to
pale grey-brown, opening by a longitudinal slit, many-seeded. Seeds linear, 10–
15 mm long, very pale brown, with tufts of long dirty white to light brown hairs at
both ends 2–3 cm long.
Adenium comprises 5 species, which are sometimes merged into a single one,
Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult. Adenium multiflorum crosses readily
with Adenium obesum and with other Adenium spp.
Adenium multiflorum has long dormancy; regardless of growing conditions,
leaves fall at the start of the cool season and growth will not resume for at least 4
months. It flowers profusely during the cool season. Leaves appear only after
flowering. Plants rarely flower before they are 4–5 years old.
Ecology
The natural habitat of Adenium multiflorum is savanna and occasionally open
forest on sandy soil along marshes and rivers and also in much drier sandy and
rocky localities; it occurs up to 700(–1200) m altitude.
Management
In cultivation Adenium multiflorum is propagated by seed, cuttings or grafting.
Tip-cuttings dipped in a rooting hormone, planted in a coarse rooting medium
and well-watered are most successful. Seeds germinate readily in about a week
at 30°C, and seedlings grow through the first cool and dry period before obligate
dormancy appears. After the first year, the plants should be kept dry during
dormancy, to prevent the brittle root from rotting.
Genetic resources and breeding
Adenium multiflorum is considered vulnerable in Zambia, Zimbabwe and
Swaziland. It is threatened by collection for horticulture, medicinal uses and by
heavy browsing by livestock.
Prospects
Adenium multiflorum is an interesting ornamental, although its flowering period is
shorter and growth rate is lower than that of Adenium obesum. It is unlikely that it
will become important in medicine, while its importance as arrow poison has
dwindled.
Major references
• Bester, S.P., 2004. Adenium multiflorum. South African National Biodiversity
Institute, Cape Town, South Africa. http://www.plantzafrica.com/
plantab/adeniummultiflor.htm Accessed 24 August 2004.
• Leeuwenberg, A.J.M., Kupicha, F.K., Barink, M.M., Beentje, H.J., de Kruif,
A.P.M., Plaizier, A.C. & Zwetsloot, H.J.C., 1985. Apocynaceae. In: Launert, E.
(Editor). Flora Zambesiaca. Volume 7, part 2. Flora Zambesiaca Managing
Committee, London, United Kingdom. pp. 395–503.
• Neuwinger, H.D., 1996. African ethnobotany: poisons and drugs. Chapman &
Hall, London, United Kingdom. 941 pp.
• Plaizier, A.C., 1980. A revision of Adenium Roem. & Schult. and of
Diplorhynchus Welw. ex Fic. and Hiern (Apocynaceae). Mededelingen
Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen 80–12. Wageningen, Netherlands. 40 pp.
• Rowley, G.D., 1983. The Adenium and Pachypodium handbook. Smart & Co.
Ltd., Brackley, United Kingdom. 95 pp.
Other references
• Dimmitt, M.A. & Hanson, C., 1991. The genus Adenium in cultivation. Part 1: A.
obesum and A. multiflorum. Cactus and Succulent Journal 63: 223–225.
• Hargreaves, R., 2002. How many species of Adenium are there? Asklepios 85:
4–6.
• van Wyk, B.E., van Heerden, F. & van Oudtshoorn, B., 2002. Poisonous plants
of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria, South Africa. 288 pp.
Author(s)
• L.P.A. Oyen
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
Editors
• G.H. Schmelzer
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
• A. Gurib-Fakim
Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius
Associate editors
• C.H. Bosch
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
• M.S.J. Simmonds
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, United Kingdom
• R. Arroo
Leicester School of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research, De Montfort
University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom
• A. de Ruijter
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
General editors
• R.H.M.J. Lemmens
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
• L.P.A. Oyen
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
Photo editor
• A. de Ruijter
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700
AH Wageningen, Netherlands
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