Adenium somalense var. crispum

A subspecies discovered relatively recently, it is very different from the one above. My own experience with the species is limited to some cuttings from Mark Dimmit in USA and a few seedlings from Arid Lands, all but one of which died (possibly due to a reaction to the fungicide Mancozeb). What strikes one is the compactness of the plant, its very distinctive, narrow marbled foliage and the heavily marked flowers.

An Adenium somalense var. crispum clone from Mark Dimmit in USA.

Adenium 'Crimson Star'
X Adenium somalense crispum
Photo: Mark Dimmitt

Adenium obesum
X Adenium somalense crispum
Photo: Mark Dimmitt

The petals are twisted and curled in all the clones I have seen (hence the specific name) and it is dominant in its hybrids. It does bring patterns never seen before to its hybrids and opens up frontiers breeders had not imagined possible. Only time will tell where breeding efforts with this species will take us.

Adenium obesum X Adenium somalense crispum Photo: Mark Dimmitt	Adenium obesum (Costas picotee) X Adenium somalense crispum Photo: Mark Dimmitt
Adenium obesum 'Red Everbloomer' X Adenium somalense crispum Photo: Mark Dimmitt	Adenium 'Crimson Star' X Adenium somalense crispum Photo: Mark Dimmitt
Adenium 'Stars and Stripes' was the only seedling worth keeping of a cross between obesum 'Red Everbloomer' and somalense crispum. The small flowers (40mm, 1.5") are borne profusely all year.