Adenia aculeata
Synonym: Modecca aculeata
Family: Passifloraceae
 Adenia aculeata at the Huntington Gardens in early July |
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 10b-12 Frost Tolerance: Keep above 45°F (7°C) at any time, keep at or above 60°F in winter (15°C) Heat Tolerance: Excellent Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun Origin: Eastern Africa (Somalia to Kenya) Growth Habits: Deciduous shrub or small tree Watering Needs: Propagation: Seeds (cuttings are possible, but don't generally produce a caudex) |
Adenia is not to be mistaken for adenIUM. Although they are both caudiciform and are both named for the city of Aden in Yemen, they belong to different botanical families.
The sap of Adenia is poisonous, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.
The species name "aculeata" comes from the Latin for "prickly".
Cultural Practices:
The caudex should be in the shade, while the leaves prefer the sun. They do better in a rather acidic soil.
Blooming Habits:
The cream flowers, produced in spring, are inconspicuous, and male and female are borne on different plants (Adenia is dioecious).
Fruiting Habits:
Check for Field Collection numbers at Ralph Martin's Site
Sponsors:
|
|
|
|
|
 |
We do get a small commission out of these sponsors that helps financing the website. Let us know if you are satisfied or dissatisfied of their services, since obviously we are trying to advertise only for reputable garden supply companies. They might be helpful to get plants not generally available at the local garden center, getting a new and unusual gardening tool or get a discount Better Homes and Gardens magazine subscription.