Adenia venenata

The Adenia venenata is a climbing succulent indigenous to Northern Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa to the Horn of Africa/East Africa. This species grows in the savanna within deciduous bushland, woodland and in open, stony scrub on various soil types (i.e., sand, clay, volcanic basalt and limestone). This is a highly variable species, dependent upon the growing conditions. At full maturity, this plant can reach heights of 10'- 28'.

The Adenia venenata sports a swollen, bottle-shaped lower trunk (caudex). The trunk contains few to numerous hairless and glaucous green twining branches. Branches form and grow from the top, reaching out and climbing high into nearby trees. Leaves are deciduous. Flowers take on a beautiful cream to yellowish-green color.

The Adenia venenata is widely cultivated near African villages for its medicinal and tribal uses. The species is used to treat intestinal worms. In Kenya, the leaves are used to treat cattle suffering from mange.

Attributes:

Garden-

1. Grown as Bonsai
2. Pot candidate (potted specimens tend to be smaller)
3. Great species for beginners (easy to cultivate)

Unique species-

1. Sports bottle-shaped caudex

Medicinal/traditional use-

1. Used to treat intestinal worms
2. Leaves used to treat cattle suffering from mange

Synonyms:

Modecca venenata Forssk. ex Greshoff