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spiny greenstem (Adenia spinosa)

Adenia spinosa is a deciduous, spiny, tuberous shrub whose branches can have a climbing habit. It is reported to be a perennial.

LightSources differ in describing light needs from full sun to bright, light shade, while indicating shade for the tuber and sun for the foliage.
WaterWater regularly during leafy growth, keeping it evenly moist while in leaf. Reduce watering outside active growth and keep conditions relatively dry; water sparingly while leafless.
TemperatureSources differ on the minimum temperature, with few sources indicating about 7 °C. It is generally frost tender and should be kept above freezing. It is reported to have a warm-climate hardiness classification and genera
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Overview

Adenia spinosa is a deciduous, spiny, tuberous shrub whose branches can have a climbing habit. It is reported to be a perennial.

Origin and habitat

It is reported to be native to southern Africa, extending from Mpumalanga Province in South Africa to Zimbabwe. It favors warm cultivation conditions and is sensitive to low temperatures; succulent Adenia species are described as requiring warmth and ample sunlight.

Characteristics

Few sources indicate a mature height of about 50 cm and a spread of about 0–240 cm. The green, elliptical leaves have prominent veins; within the genus, leaves are alternate and stalked, with glands near the junction of the leaf blade and stalk. The flowers are inconspicuous and occur as female and male flowers on separate plants; sources differ in describing their color as creamy white or yellow. Flowering is reported in spring, and the plant has red capsules with black seeds bearing fleshy arils; it forms a tuber that can become very large.

Light

Sources differ in describing light needs from full sun to bright, light shade, while indicating shade for the tuber and sun for the foliage.

Watering

Water regularly during leafy growth, keeping it evenly moist while in leaf. Reduce watering outside active growth and keep conditions relatively dry; water sparingly while leafless.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ on the minimum temperature, with few sources indicating about 7 °C. It is generally frost tender and should be kept above freezing. It is reported to have a warm-climate hardiness classification and generally drops its leaves and goes dormant.

Growing medium and mounting

A slightly acidic medium is indicated; succulent Adenia are described as favoring a granular, well-drained medium, with good drainage especially important for species with fleshy roots. It is reported to need a fast-draining mix.

Propagation

It can be propagated by seed or cuttings, although plants grown from cuttings generally do not readily form a tuber.

Common problems

Plants propagated from cuttings may have difficulty forming a tuber, and watering should be greatly reduced during dormancy. It is reported to be sensitive to low temperatures and to require warm conditions, especially in winter.

Identification

Adenia spinosa has a conspicuously swollen, irregular tuberous stem that can become very large, with slender spiny branches and spines in the leaf axils.

Photos

Adenia spinosa
📷 SAplants · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Adenia spinosa
📷 Ryan van Huyssteen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded b · CC BY · source
Adenia spinosa
📷 Ryan van Huyssteen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded b · CC BY · source

Sources