Hoodia alstonii
| Hoodia alstonii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asclepiadoideae |
| Genus: | Hoodia |
| Species: | H. alstonii |
| Binomial name | |
| 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]
Description
H. 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
H. 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
H. alstonii has been harvested in the wild as a food source.[3]
References
- ↑ "Hoodia alstonii (N.E.Br.) Plowes". Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Hoodia alstonii (N.E.Br.) Plowes". The Encyclopedia of Succulents. LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of Living Forms. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "Hoodia alstonii". Useful Tropical Plants. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Hoodia in Namibia" (PDF). National Botanical Research Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2015.