Adenium oleifolium Stapf

Apocynaceae, A. J. M. Leeuwenberg and F. K. Kupicha et al.. Flora Zambesiaca 7:2. 1985

Morphology General Habit

Succulent shrublet up to 40 cm. high, forming a dense mass of rather fleshy leaves and stems, with a subterraneous carrot-like very bitter-tasting rootstock 50–80 x 15–30 cm.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sessile; lamina linear to very narrowly obovate, 8·8–16·7(21·2) times as long as wide, 4·5–14·6 x 0·3–1·4 cm., acute and apiculate, above shiny, glaucous or pale green, and pubescent to glabrous, beneath dull, slightly paler green and pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 0·5–1 x 0·5–1 cm.; bracts narrowly oblong, 3–4 x 1–1·5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels densely pubescent to pilose, 5–8 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals narrowly oblong to narrowly ovate, 6·5–9(12) x 3·0–4·0 mm., outside densely pubescent to pilose pubescent inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla bright scarlet or red to pink; tube yellowish especially towards the base, 5–6·9(8·2) times as long as the calyx, 4–6·6 x 0·9–1·4 cm., pubescent outside, only at the extreme base nearly glabrous, puberulous inside, somewhat velutinous on the main veins; narrow basal portion (1)1·5–2 times as long as the calyx, (0·8)1·2–1·7 x 0·3–0·5 cm.; lobes bright scarlet to red, obovate, 1·4–2·8 x 0·8–1·8 cm., apiculate and undulate, sparsely and minutely pubescent outside, puberulous inside, with a puberulous scale at the base, 3 x 1·5 cm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens barely included or slightly exserted, free portion of filament hispid outside, pilose to lanate inside; anther 5·5–6(8) x 1–1·5 mm., hispid outside, cells 2–3·5 x 1 mm.; appendages 2·5–3·1 times as long as the anthers, hispid.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Pistil 13·5–21·5 mm. long; ovary glabrous or sometimes with appressed stiff hairs or puberulous; carpels 1–2 x 1–1·5 x 1–2 mm.; style 11·5–19 x 0·5 mm.; clavuncula 1·5–2 x 1–1·5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit pale grey to pale grey-brown, 10–11·5 x 1 cm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed very pale brown, pubescent, 1–1·5 x 0·2 cm., with tufts of dirty white hairs 2–3·5 cm.