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

Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

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 .

Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

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 of Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

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 ) .

Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

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 .

Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

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. Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

Flower in side view. In cultivation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Photo by Jummy Chaimaha. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

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Hoodia gordonii, commonly known as Bushman’s Hat

In habitat, Central Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byCollette Hurt. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.