Adenium sp. nov. (Tanzania)

This taxon was discovered in the mid 1990s in Tanzania, and is in the trade as Adenium somalense var. nova. In nature the caudex is globular and buried underground, with erect, barely succulent stems to about 4 feet tall (1.2 m). In cultivation seedlings develop a short-conical caudex that is partially exposed. The plants grow fairly rapidly and make a large caudex compared to the size of the plant in a few years. The small flowers start appearing sparsely at the end of the growing season in fall, followed by a more profuse bloom through the winter while the plants are leafless. They are pink to red at the edges, fading to a white throat with prominent nectar guides. The anther appendages protrude slightly beyond the tube.

Adenium sp. nov. collected in Tanzania. The caudexes were underground. Photo: Andre Williams	Six-year-old seedling of Adenium sp. nov. (Tanzania) in a 16-inch pot beginning to flower at the end of the growing season.	Six-year-old seedling of Adenium sp. nov. (Tanzania) in a 16-inch pot flowering during winter dormancy.
	Left and above: Flowers of Adenium sp. nov. (Tanzania).

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