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 
| |
| 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
editHoodia 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
editHoodia 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
editHoodia alstonii has been harvested in the wild as a food source.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Hoodia alstonii". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Hoodia alstonii (N.E.Br.) Plowes". The Encyclopedia of Succulents. LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of Living Forms. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Hoodia alstonii". Useful Tropical Plants. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "Hoodia in Namibia" (PDF). National Botanical Research Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2015.