Poison bottle tree

The poison bottle-tree is so called by the shape of its stem and because the milky sap of the plant has been used as arrow poison by Bushmen in the past. It is nonetheless a striking plant and interesting looking plant on Namibia's rocky slopes. A thick, upright stem can measure up to 50cm across at the base and it bears beautiful, large flowers. It can grow up to 2m in height, to add to its striking appearance. The flowers are pink to white and dark red towards the centre. It has shiny, leathery leaves which can measure up to 20cm in length.

Adenium bochmianum occurs in north-western and central Namib Desert and southern Angola. It grows in a variety of habitats, mainly in such places as slopes of mountains and along the escarpment. Only 2 species of Adenium occur in Namibia.