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
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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Hoodia alstonii can grow to about 1 metre (3.3 ft) 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 centimetres (0.4–0.7 in) 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

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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 °C (32 °F).[2]

Uses

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

References

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