The Impala Lily (Adenium multiflorum)
If there is one reason to visit the Kruger National Park in winter, it is for the Impala Lily.. A most showy plant, resembling a miniature Baobab tree in a way, but the flowers in Winter are just too beautiful to describe….
(photo courtesy of Victor Lourens… but then he’s my Grandson so I just use it without his permission)
This plant contains a watery latex which is highly toxic. Domestic animals have been known to die after consuming it, but amazingly there have been no noted deaths in wild animals that feed on the Impala Lily. The latex is extracted from the bark and trunk and is prepared as a poison for the tips of hunting arrows and also as a poison to stun fish. The latex is also made into a "magical potion" used by many different African cultures both in South Africa and Mozambique.
The poisons within the Impala Lily latex are known to contain over 30 types of chemicals that can affect the heart. This is not necessarily all negative, as, when given in the correct dosage and mixed in with the right medicinal ingredients, it could possibly be used in the treatment of cardiac arrest.
When the plant is finished flowering it makes long seed pods and then, and only then, do the new leaves begin to show…
They are such beautiful shows of colour in an otherwise drab winter coloured grass that one can’t help but spot them from far…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
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My best friend is a retired florist! I have alway admired her knowledge of what is wha! 😉
Beautiful photography!
Thank you so much…
I am in awe of this plant intelligence. As a professional floral designer I can only imagine some interesting floral arrangements with these truly stunning beauties. They will remain only in the imagination of course!
Thank you… they are amazing and I have seen them in floral arrangements, yet have wondered how they bypassed the milky sap that is exuded when cut…
You know how I love flowers, and these are beautiful.
Thank you… I wish I could have produced the type of photos you do of flowers…
Pretty flowers always wanted to know their name, great post.
Glad I could help you out… now you know the name…
This plant seems to contain a toxic defensive arsenal. I looks beautiful up close.
Thanks Alex… I’m led to believe that the antelope that eat on it are not affected, but domesticate animals are… makes you think…
It does, makes me think about how plants and animals relate with each other.
I’ve seen these around…never knew what they were called. Thanks!
My pleasure… they are beauties…
Coincidentally, I was photographing a lily just yesterday with very similar colours. Not toxic as far as I know, but with a wonderful intoxicating scent.
I think it’s actually clear if a plant gives off a milky sap, the chances of it being toxic is pretty good…
Such a beautiful flower and beautiful captures of it. 🙂
Thanks Inga… a true beauty…
So beautiful, bulldog. How lovely to have some vibrant colour in the middle of winter. 🙂
Have you not seen these before AD??… they are a real eye full this time of the year…
So pretty
Thanks …
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mrs. P.
Given your wildlife Bulldog, not sure on the if there is only one reason to visit the National Park….. but yes you are right that is one stunning flower! Makes you just want to smell it – but a look and don’t touch is probably a better idea.
I handle ours at home all the time and no problem… but avoid the milky sap as it is well known any milky sap is poisonous… but they are such a beauty,,, mine at home never flower, don’t know why… probably crying to go home…
It is funny how some poisonous plants are helping in medicine in the right dosages, like the foxglove too. This one looks also beautiful!
Thank you Ute… yes a lot of plants that our fore fathers used for medicine we are only now beginning to use again…
From Impala to Impala lilies! Interesting. We have one on the porch, but I didn’t know about those qualities. Ours is very stunted by comparison with that one!
I must admit I’ve never given ours the thought of being dangerous… but then I haven’t chewed an part of the plant…lol
Such beauty! Nice to see you back again. I’m still getting caught up, too. Could take a while 🙂
These would probably grow quite well there by you…
Blessed that you share your world with me and others. I don’t ever remembering learning what you share growing up in history class! Although toxic – your shots are exceptional!
Thank you … such a nice complement…
Beautiful flowers! You’d never think of it being toxic, now would you? Very interesting, Bulldog. ( Kinda like some pretty people in this world?)
Lucky I don’t have the beauty… so I’m not toxic… lol
Your beauty is displayed in each post…… so be good to you!
Oh, MY! Their beauty is only enhanced by the absence of leaves! I can’t imagine how startlingly beautiful the sight of one of these trees would be in a winter landscape. As you might imagine, these lilies fascinate me. I am happy that you introduced me to them. Sometimes, I marvel at the sights and sounds that must almost be too much to absorb. What a wonderful land, Rob. You are fortunate to live there.
Thanks George… we are blessed with so much that half of it we tend to take for granted sometimes… but when one sees a bush like this, it just reminds one how lucky we are….
It is funny how things that was never a interest for me became a pleasure to do at the end. I have learned so much from oupa and it was good time spend. Thanks for all the advice and pointers. I will improve as the time goes on. Yes the bug got me!
Never give up on the experimentation… you’ll master it in the end, I’m too old to master it but you’re young enough… keep going I’m proud of you…
A lovely winter flower indeed!
That it is.. thank you..
They are so beautiful! Many things that are toxic are also good when used appropriately – reminds me of the two sides of all our personalities. 🙂
How right you are… I must admit I knew of it’s toxicity as most plants that give off a milk, are. But never knew it was a cardiac poison… but beauty it is…
What a shame that it’s toxic!
I agree… but I must admit I did not know that till researching the plant…
I wonder how animals know before biting into it. I guess some don’t and pay the price.
Believe it or not the wild animals are not affected, but domesticated are… I believe cattle and sheep are poisoned…
beautiful, so beautiful… Thanks and Love, nia
Thank you Nia..
Looks like the grandson has inherited his grandfather’s talent for photography….beautiful photos and an interesting plant!
Thank you Ingrid.. he is still learning and these few hours were well spent making him experiment with different settings on a new camera… I think the bug has bitten and I expect to see far more from him…
That’s awesome. I’m sure proud grandpa will share his talents!
Tutta la bellezza della natura. Sono bellissime.
Ciao, Pat
grazie mille. Apprezzo il complemento.
Stunning photo’s!! They are little sunshine rays in a dry season!! One of natures wonders!
Thank you Vasti… even your Hubbies photo looks good… such a lovely plant… had to use Victor’s shot…
WOW thank you that is beautiful. It so neat to see your world which is on the otherside of the world from me….; O)
Thank you Kymee, glad you are enjoying my world as I do so many others through this means…
gorgeous. It’s winter flower, leave later habit is a like flame trees & Jacarandas
So correct… I have some brilliant photos of the Scarlet-Chested Sunbird on the Flame trees as you call them Coral trees as they are known here… I’m posting them tomorrow…
Looking forward to it! My eyes mean I can’t get good photos of the birds in the flame trees at the moment. I just hope the new glasses eventually help things. They haven’t yet.
Amazing that something so toxic (yet helpful at times), can be hidden by something so beautiful. The flowers truly are lovely. The shots are gorgeous. 🙂
Thanks Skye.. I’ve tried to grow these at home, get leaves but no flowers so I have to go down to the Park to see them…
Well, it keeps the park trip that much more special. 🙂 See…you are SOOO teaching me to be glass half full. 😀
I like the ripply edges and of course the gradation!
Thanks Jasmine.. the colours are so stark against a yellowed grass… they kind of jump out at you…
I bet and they look like they play nicely in the wind. SO do they have a scent?
The flowers are sweetly scented. A lovely scent actually… reminds me of a girlfriend I had oh so many years ago…
LOL Very lucky!! I was hoping It was scented with SO many petals.