Adenia glauca aka Desert Rose

Adenia glauca is a woody vine in the passionflower family. The family's name is Passifloraceae. It is native from southeastern Botswana into northern South Africa. It grows in dry shrubland and desert regions. In South Africa, it grows on rocky ground and north-facing slopes. Its swollen base may sit in gaps between rocks. Much of the base may stand above the rocks. One of its English names is Elephant's Foot.

This plant sheds its leaves and climbs or scrambles. It grows from a thick, fleshy base called a caudex. This base stores water for use in dry spells. It has smooth, dark green skin and a round or uneven shape. The caudex can exceed 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. That size refers to the base, not the plant's full spread. Thin, round stems rise from the base. They bear twisted grey branches. No hairs grow on the stems or leaves.

The leaves range from pale grey-green to blue-green. They have stalks, with deep splits that form finger-like lobes. These lobes tend to have soft, rounded edges. Leaves near the stem's base grow larger than those near branch tips. The plant sheds its leaves when it rests in winter. Small-show cream flowers bloom in early spring and draw little notice. Each plant bears male or female flowers, but not both. To form seeds, it needs both male and female plants.

When grown, its leaves need sun while its caudex needs shade. The plant accepts full sun through light shade. It grows best in soil that is on the acid side. Its stored water suits the dry places where it grows wild. Take care when you water, as the plant rots with ease. Do not water heavily when it has no leaves. The source notes modest heat needs but gives no frost limit. It gives no firm mature height or spread for garden plants.

The swollen base makes this species valued in plant collections. Plants grown from seed form the caudex sought for display. Cuttings can root but seldom form that swollen base. Growers also raise plants from cuttings to produce seeds. These tend to bear more flowers than plants grown from seed. Rot is the main growing problem the sources name. They give no account of edible parts or safe use for this species.