Impala Lily
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Impalalelie  Impala LilyAdenium multiflorum Shingwedzi, Kruger National Park |
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Adenium multiflorum - a deciduous succulent shrub or small tree, 0.5-3 m tall. The shape of the plant resembles a miniature baobab. Shiny grey to brown swollen, succelent stems arise from a large underground rootstock. They produce poisonous watery latex. Sweetly scented terminal inflorescences, each flower 50-70 mm in diameter, the colours can vary greatly. The leaves are shed before the terminal inflorescences appear (spring).
Distribution: from southeastern Zambia, through Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, and Swaziland. Endangered species in these areas, with the exception of South Africa.
Toxicity - It is a source of fish poison and arrow poison, always in combination with other poisons. Leafs and flowers are not poisonous.
Other names - UK mock azalea, desert rose, kudu lily, Sabi star - D Wüstenrose, Impala-Lilie - Afrikaans Impalalelie.
Books
Vincent Carruthers (ed.) - The Wildlife of Southern Africa. Struik Publ. ISBN 1-86872-451-4
Wild Flowers of South Africa, ed. JP Rourke. Struik Publ. 1996. ISBN 1-82825-897-1
Weblinks
South African National Biodiversity Institute
University of Wisconsin, Horticulture