Hoodia

Hoodia gordonii at the site in the Karoo.

The genus Hoodia ( syn.. Trichocaulon NEBr ) belongs to the subfamily of milkweed plants ( Asclepiadoideae ) in the family of the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae ). The species of the genera include species such as many genera of subtribes Stapeliinae to those who are called in German carrion flowers. Some species are used medicinally (see Hoodia gordonii ). The genus is named after the Sukkulentensammler Van Hood.

Description

The plants are succulent and see some cactus or succulent in habit Euphorbia very similar. The stems are low or but rarely more than 60 cm high and always bare. You are branched from the base up, vielrippigen, thick stems with expiring leaf pads in a sharp spike tip.

The five petals of most species are very large. The five sepals are fused and end with five pointed lobes. The five petals are fused at the base to spread out flat or bowl-shaped recessed crown and usually have reddish colors. Are formed capsule fruits.

Occurrence

The distribution area extends from the southern Cape Province through Namibia to Angola and Botswana, so there are elements of Flore capensis. They colonize dry and low rainfall ( arid ) areas, rocky and sandy- clayey semi-desert. There are areas with both summer and winter with rain. The centers of biodiversity are Namibia ( eleven species) and South Africa ( with nine species).

Types (selection)

There are about 13 ( to 20) Hoodia species:

  • Hoodia alstonii ( NEBr. ) Plowes ( Syn: Trichocaulon alstonii NEBr. )
  • Hoodia currorii ( Hook. ) Decne. ( Syn: H. lugardii, H. macrantha )
  • Hoodia dregei N.E.Br.
  • Hoodia flava ( NEBr. ) Plowes ( Syn: Trichocaulon flavum NEBr. )
  • Hoodia gordonii ( Masson ) Sweet ex Decne. ( Syn: Stapelia gordonii Masson, H. barklyi Dyer, H. burkei NEBr, H. longispina Plowes. )
  • Hoodia juttae Dinter
  • Hoodia mossamedensis ( LCLeach ) Plowes ( Syn: Trichocaulon mossamedensis LCLeach )
  • Hoodia officinalis ( NEBr. ) Plowes ( syn. H. delaetiana )
  • Hoodia parviflora N.E.Br.
  • Hoodia pedicellata ( Schinz ) Plowes ( Syn: Trichocaulon pedicellatum Schinz )
  • Hoodia pilifera ( Lf) Plowes ( syn. H. annulata, H. grandis, H. pillansii )
  • Hoodia ruschii Dinter
  • Hoodia triebneri ( Nel ) Bruyns ( syn. H. foetida Plowes, Trichocaulon triebneri Nel )

Species protection

The genus Hoodia was found in 2004 under international species protection (13th Conference of the Parties to the CITES Convention). This means that both whole plants and parts and derivatives of it may ( for example, pharmaceutical products / dietary supplements ) shall be traded only if a nature-friendly origin is demonstrated. Violations of the existing export and import permit requirements can drag fines and even to criminal proceedings. Even in trade within Europe needs both the seller and the buyer can prove that the product or processed plant has come with these licenses in the EU. This also applies to purchases over the Internet, especially when the shipment comes from a non- EU country.

Swell

  • Information about the genus. at plantzafrica.com (English)
  • Hazardous slimming products: Hoodia: risk to health and environment
Gentianales Stapeliae Robert Sweet (botanist) Desert climate Agricultural Research Service
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