Hoodia gordoniihas become live globally for its claimed effect of appetite stifling . However , a 2006 review found no scientific evidence supporting it as an appetite suppressant in humans .
Hoodia gordonii(Masson ) Sweet ex-husband Decne
Baboon Ghaap , Bitter Ghaap , Bushman ’s Hat , Kalahari Cactus , Queen of the Namib , Wild Ghaap

In cultivation, Farm Urikos, Hardap Region, Namibia. Derivative of a photo byAlex Dreyer. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Ceropegia gordonii , Monothylaceum gordonii , Scytanthus gordonii , Stapelia gordonii
kinfolk : ApocynaceaeSubfamily : AsclepiadoideaeTribe : CeropegieaeGenus : Hoodia
The specific name " gordonii(gor - DOH - nee - eye ) honorsRobert Jacob Gordon(1743 - 1795 ) , a Dutch explorer , soldier , creative person , naturalist and linguist of Scots descent . He observe aHoodiaspecies in 1779 and made a drawing off of the plant that was describe and published byFrancis Massonin 1797 as Stapelia gordonii .

In cultivation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Lewis Hiller. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The aboriginal cooking stove ofHoodia gordoniiis from the Brandberg Mountain inNamibiasouthwards into the Northern Cape , Western Cape , and just the southmost parts of the Free State state ofSouth Africa . It produce on stony slope to gravelly flatbed in low-spirited sphere .
Hoodia gordoniiis a cactus - like succulentshrubwith thick , cylindrical stems with prominenttuberclesfused in the lower half into 11 to 17 Angle along the stem . Each eminence is tippytoe with a keen spine , reaching 0.5 inches ( 1.2 centimetre ) in length . The stems are vertical , grey - putting surface to grey - brown , and can grow up to 3.3 feet ( 1 m ) grandiloquent and 2 inches ( 5 cm ) in diam .
In bounce , the plant producesinflorescencesof 1 to 4 flowers on up to 1.2 inches ( 3 centimetre ) long stalk . The bloom unfold successively and have a orbitual to quite clearly 5 - lobedcorollathat measures up to 4 inches ( 10 cm ) in diameter . The exterior of the corolla is pale flesh - colored with grim veins , while the interior is flesh - colored to mystifying purple - red , usually with darker vein . Thecoronais purplish - black and up to 0.25 inches ( 0.6 atomic number 96 ) widely , usually just touching the side of thetubeat the mouth . The fruit are pairs offolliclesthat resemble small antelope or goat horns .

Flowers and seed pods. In cultivation, Wolwedans, Hardap Region, Namibia. Derivative of a photo byColin Ralston. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
illumination : Hoodia gordoniiprefers full sunshine but will benefit from light shade during the hottest summertime days . Indoors , place the industrial plant near the hopeful windowpane of your dwelling house because it will stretch if it does not receive enough sunlight . ward off abruptly moving a plant adapted to crushed light levels to full sun to prevent suntan .
Soil : apply commercial-grade potting soil mix for succulent or prepare your own with 50 to 70 % mineral grit , such as coarse backbone , pumice stone , or perlite .
Temperature : The plant thrives in warm out-of-door environments with low to temperate humidity . It does not care winter insensate and should remain reasonably dry and lovesome during its dormancy . Hoodia gordoniigrows honest inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones10a to 11b , with mean minimal wintertime temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 ° F ( -1.1 to 10 ° ampere-second ) .

In habitat, Luderitz, ǁKaras Region, Namibia. Photo byColin Ralston. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Watering : It has typical watering motive for a succulent . During the growing season , from spring to shine , irrigate the works good and countenance the soil to dry between waterings . When it hold up sleeping in winter , it need almost no pee , about once a calendar month .
fertilize : In rescript to keep the plant levelheaded and thriving , fertilizing is a good estimate . feast it with water - soluble fertilizer reduce to half the urge force , but only when the plant is actively arise .
Repotting : RepotHoodia gordoniiin spring , just before the growing time of year . It has shallow roots and does not require too much land to grow . Always pick a container with drain muddle .

In habitat, Central Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byMargaret Moore. Licensed underCC BY-SA 4.0.
Propagation : The best way to circularise this succulent is from stem turn cuttings . To ensure good rooting , take cuttings during the rise season . The plant is also easy to start up from seeds in spring .
memorize more atHow to Grow and deal for Stapeliads .
Hoodia gordoniiis non - toxic and safe to originate around nipper and pets .

Flower in side view. In cultivation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Photo by Jummy Chaimaha. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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In habitat, Central Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byCollette Hurt. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.