Feature

Description

Family

Apocynaceae that is Dogbane family

Native Regions

Arid zones of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

Biome

Desert or dry shrubland

Growth Habit

Succulent shrub, small tree like bonsai appearance

Flower Characteristics

Trumpet shaped, colorful (white to deep red), fragrant, attract pollinators

Special Traits

Drought tolerant, thick caudex for water storage, slow growing that is ~12" per year

Step

Details

Seed Germination

Sun-dried seeds sown in moist sand and powdered erukkam leaves

Shading

Germination under net shade, watered every two days

Hardening

After 2 months, seedlings exposed to sunlight to boost root growth

Leaf Trimming

Weekly to promote thick root development

Grafting

Done after 6 months to induce flowering

Classification

Based on age: 1 year, 2 year, 5 year old varieties

Fertilizer Use

No synthetic chemicals used; natural fertilizers like erukkam (Calotropis gigantea) and river sand used

Aspect

Notes

Low Water Requirement

Ideal for arid and semi-arid regions

No Chemical Pesticides

Promotes organic and sustainable cultivation

Biodiversity Value

Attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing local pollinator populations

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Which of the following statements regarding Adenium obesum is/are correct?

1. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family.
2. It is native to the arid regions of South America.
3. It is commonly used in bonsai cultivation.
4. It requires synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for optimum growth.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct – It belongs to the Apocynaceae (dogbane) family.

Statement 2 is incorrect – It is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula not South America.

Statement 3 is correct – It is used in bonsai due to its miniature tree-like structure.

Statement 4 is incorrect – The cultivation in Tiruvallur uses natural fertilizers like erukkam leaves and avoids synthetic inputs.