Hi there, just checked out that report... I would interpret it to mean that it's grown for the 'overall appearance' of not only it's leaves, but also it's caudex and flowers, and not meaning that the leaves have a specific 'use'. I have never heard/read that these plants have leaves that are used in any way....I may be wrong though!!
Gill UK

I do not know for sure but I think it is just saying the Arabicum has attractive fleshy leaves that are nice on the top and bottom of the leaf, which make them a desired candidate for bonsai specifically.

I could be wrong, that is just the idea I get - that the leaves themselves have no specific specialty, they are just attractive and therefore desirable for bonsai.

-Heather

Sorry Gill, I was typing when your post came through and didn't see it first.

-Heather

Thanks guys, that's kind of what I was thinking. For some reason I assumed they meant "harvested" by "cultivated for".

Heather, no worries, I find I often do that too!!

Squirmwurm, it's surprising how a wrong choice of just one word enables something to be taken out of context and mean something completely different from what they meant to say. BTW, I have been told to take Wikipedia reports with a tiny pinch of salt as 'anyone' can edit/write them, but guess that's true of a lot of web-site info though?

One site I will recommend is the one I've linked for you and others below, it's written by a leading Adenium grower/author...I would trust his info more than the Wiki site...just my own opinion you understand!
Gill UK

Here is a link that might be useful: good reading by Mark Dimmitt