One possibility, different species, or different ancestry. I have an A. arabicum which has somewhat velvety leaves.

Darwin

Thanks Charles. I'm still not familiar with the differences in Arabicum and obesum yet. Obesum is the most common find isn't it?

Hi Candice, I was very sorry, not to mention disappointed to read of your experience above as that definitely isn't what we like to have happen here. I hope this hasn't affected your confidence in us and you will still continue be part of our forum :-)

One of my obesums has this tactile velvety undersides to its leaves. I had read that it is a feature most commonly found in the Arabicums, but I only have one Arabicum type and they have ordinary smooth leaves.

The obesums are generally seen for sale more frequently, not that I see adeniums for sale personally as I have to grow mine from seed!

The obesums tend to have caudexes that are not as wide as the Arabicums, their branches sprout from all along their trunks. They get raised up so that what was the root, becomes part of the now above ground caudex, all twisted and contorted.

Arabicums on the other hand, tend to have short squat bases, the plants are often wider than they are high, and have branches that spring from one level. Their leaves can be a lot bigger too. This is just a generalisation, there are definitely plants out there that don't conform! No doubt others who are more savvy with these plants will also be able to point out other differences for you....and me!

Gill

Hi Gill! When I bought my first one a couple of years ago, I thought there was only one Adenium species lol. There's a lot more to them I see! I'm up to 9 plants and many seedlings and cuttings now. I see differences in several of my plants. I hope to gain a trained eye on which is which species. Thanks so much Gill for taking the time To explain :) You're the best!

Candice i have been growing adeniums for some time now i had one velvet feeling plant i didn't know what was going on on with it until I joined this forum i have since given it away to my mother only because it is pink but it has turned into a lovely large plant the leaves add to the look .chin up we all aren't experts we do it for the love of adeniums thats all that counts BUT this forum gets us closer to being better at the art of growing adeniums:×)

Thanks Peter, I'm very happy to have found this forum! I've learned a lot from everyone. I always appreciate your great advice!

I read something somewhere once (probably in the archives of this forum) about the varying textures of DR leaves, but I can't seem to find it now. Has to do with genetics … I think … and the furry ones are Arabicum … I think pagan had some comments on furry leaves ...

Most of mine are obesum but I do have 1 multiflorum, 1 arabicum with gloriously soft, velvety leaves and, as it turns out, 1 swazicum. I only started growing them coming up on a year ago so I'm still learning too.

This forum is great. Everyone is so helpful, supportive and encouraging. And enabling. LOL! Just when you say you couldn't possibly acquire not one more plant, they tell you "Sure you can!"

Tyler

Tyler, this is so true! I added 7 new plants and about 20 seedlings to my collection just this year! I want more, haha!

I counted awhile back and was astounded at the number that I had. I think it was maybe...26...? Something like that. No idea how that happened. I think I shoved the number out of my mind on purpose!

Tyler

tyler:

26?

twenty-six?

you slacker … ^_^

It might be an adaptation to areas with high light intensity too. Trichomes (plant hairs) can serve a variety of functions, but in some cases, they are used to diffuse intense light hitting the plant or to insulate it from cold.

Or it might have a completely different function. Maybe fuzzy leaves are more/less vulnerable to certain pests than smooth ones.

The others have covered “which” adeniums tend to have fuzzy leaves pretty well.