A question for the pros. :)

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

The blooming plant pictured below was originally purchased in a pot with another adenium. This plant was so small, I didn't even see it growing next to the other larger plant in the same pot.

I first saw it when I got home and started to repot it. This plant was very small - perhaps the size of a healthy 6 month old obesum.

I had always thought of this plant as an obesum, but it's always been different from my standard obesums.

1) it often has curled leaves.

2) it drops all or most of its leaves when it blooms.

Because of these, and in particular the flower color and design, I wonder if anyone thinks as I do that this must be a multiflorum x obesum hybrid?

This plant had leaves right before blooming, but just started losing them recently.

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User

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Mark Dimmitt states that multiflorum x "obesum" crosses have consistent traits: 1) Crosses grow fast, 2) Crosses grow medium-seized caudexes, 3) Flowers are picoteed and are born mostly in winter but crosses seldom flower profusely, 4) Crosses are mostly evergreen plants.

I think that you have a picotee "obesum". I am not sure that it is 'Noble Concubine" which Gill suggests. If I recall correctly, the cultivar lacks nectar guides. But then again, 'Noble Concubine' has notable folded leaves.

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Comments (6)

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Firstly I am not one of the experts as I'm still travelling upwards along my steep learning curve, but as soon as I saw the plant I thought...'that looks exactly like the plant I bought seeds of to try and grow'. That was when I didn't realise seeds don't come true.

The plant in question was 'Noble Concubine'. Having just done some quick research, I now read that NC is one of the best and most floriferous picotees available, and is of unknown origin. Maybe that is what your mystery plant is Jerry....just a thought!

Multiflorums have long anther tails and very broad sometimes wavy leaves it says. Does this have any more of these traits apart from the waviness?

Whatever it is, I like it!

Gill
jedobaTX9b thanked greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
10 years ago
Martin, you already know I respect and bow to your greater knowledge in this field and feel slightly awkward in posting this bit but here goes....I've had another look at the flowers above and am now curious as to whether those are nectar guides......are they the coloured filaments and styles that we see? I am really clutching at straws here aren't I Martin?

Maybe if Jerry could post a close up of one of the flowers we could see a clearer picture of the flowers internal structure and colouring? I'm sure many of the plants available are of dubious origin and just 'look like' what they are purpointing to be so a definite ID isn't often possible.

I'm off out now to visit a sick friend, so I will await with trepidation the impending sense of doom when return!...if I dare log back in again that is, lol.

Gill (reluctantly pressing the submit button!)
jedobaTX9b thanked greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
rcharles_gw (Canada)
10 years ago
My thoughts are that it is a cross of Obesum. The result of leaves falling off is just this particular plant. Does resemble Noble Concubine and a few others w similar markings.

Safe answer, I quess.

Rick
jedobaTX9b thanked rcharles_gw (Canada)
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Ah, Gill, thanks, my bad. ;-) I think you are right about the nectar guides being anther tails. It could be 'Noble Concubine', then. Or some other picotee-flowering "obesum" cross.
jedobaTX9b thanked User
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
10 years ago
Well I visited my old school pal and she was fairly bright given her circumstances, took her some strawbs from my garden and a pot of cream.

Glad to find I didn't offend by questioning you Martin, It's all in good spirit and that's good eh? My theory was just that, a theory, as it was loosely based on what I 'thought' I could see.....and I could well be wrong :-) It will be interesting to look at them in greater detail if and when Jerry can come back with a close up, even then, we may still be in the dark somewhat. I admit to having had to check my two plants to see if the tails were actually coloured or not. They each matched the colour of their respective flowers in my case, and I've never noticed what happens in a purple flowering plant for instance. This plant could well remain a mystery for some time.......Jerry?..........

Gill