1. South African shrub having a swollen succulent stem and bearing showy pink and white flowers after the leaves fall; popular as an ornamental in tropics
   "The desert rose bloomed spectacularly in the dry season";
   - impala lily, mock azalia, kudu lily, Adenium obesum, Adenium multiflorum
    
2. A flower-like mineral formation (of gypsum and barite with sand inclusions), formed in arid sandy conditions e.g. from evaporation of a shallow salt basin
   "The geologist found a beautiful desert rose formation in the Sahara"

Derived forms: desert roses

Type of: bush, shrub

Part of: Adenium, genus Adenium

Encyclopedia: Desert rose