Hoodia alstonii

Hoodia alstonii is a succulent plant native to Namibia and the Cape Province of South Africa.[1] H. alstonii is also known commonly as ghaap, an Afrikaans name.[2] It tends to grow in rocky, desert areas.[3]

Hoodia alstonii
Hoodia alstonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Hoodia
Species:
H. alstonii
Binomial name
Hoodia alstonii
(N.E.Br.) Plowes

Description

Hoodia alstonii can grow to about a meter in height.[3] The stems are upright and pale gray in color.[4] The plant has very sharp, hard spines.[4] It produces small, yellow flowers mostly on the top parts of the stems which are approximately 1–1.8 centimeters in diameter.[4] The flowers have an odor similar to excrement and are pollinated by flies.[3] It has a shallow root system.[2]

Cultivation

Hoodia alstonii is considered easy to grow, but needs plenty of fresh air and should be watered mainly during its growing season.[2] It is prone to root rot.[2] It prefers warm temperatures, though it is occasionally hardy to 0 degrees Celsius.[2]

Uses

Hoodia alstonii has been harvested in the wild as a food source.[3]

References
  1. "Hoodia alstonii". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  2. "Hoodia alstonii (N.E.Br.) Plowes". The Encyclopedia of Succulents. LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of Living Forms. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  3. "Hoodia alstonii". Useful Tropical Plants. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  4. "Hoodia in Namibia" (PDF). National Botanical Research Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
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