Hoodia pilifera

Martin_Heigan · Post by **Martin_Heigan** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:09 pm

Here is Hoodia pilifera in flower:

Martin
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Buck Hemenway · Post by **Buck Hemenway** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:20 pm

CV,

You can match up the five lobes of the interior of the flower structure on all asclepiads. Your Calotropis is a member of this plant family.

I googled it and found it to be a native Indian plant which is referred to as "a common wasteland weed". Such a beautiful flower to get a lowly description.

cactusbug · Post by **cactusbug** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:57 pm

Beautiful plants Martin_Heigan. I've 4 vars. of Hoodia that have yet to bloom.I've had trouble with black spots that appear to be fungal on some of mine.I wonder if the H. pilifera has any ehtnobotanical uses by indigenous peoples.

Martin_Heigan · Post by **Martin_Heigan** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:15 pm

As far as I know, mainly Hoodia gordonii is used. I am busy uploading some Hoodia photos at the moment. Here are the first batch:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_heigan

Martin
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Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:31 am

Nice flowers you got there Martin!

Mark

nachtkrabb · Post by **nachtkrabb** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:23 pm

Hi, Martin,
your pictures are splendid! Hard to believe.

Do you know what is the Hoodia gordonii used for?
Ruth

Martin_Heigan · Post by **Martin_Heigan** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:29 pm

Hoodia gordonii is probably the most famous South African Stapeliad due to it's use by the Diet Industry Hoodia is a natural hunger suppressant and energy boost (ancient wisdom From the Koi San Bushman of the Kalahari Dessert). This precious (slow growing) natural Desert resource is being exploited hugely for financial gain as a result.

Martin
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nachtkrabb · Post by **nachtkrabb** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:24 pm

..ohoh... that doesn't sound too good for the survival of the Hoodias...

Are they a protected species at least?

I forgot to ask, Martin: how big are these most beautiful flowers? Do you know, how old a Hoodia has to be to get into bloom? (I have one since last December but do not expect it to flower within the next some years. If ever in this cold country.)

Thanks
Ruth

Martin_Heigan · Post by **Martin_Heigan** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:58 pm

Hoodia pilifera (in the photos above) is around 1" from edge to edge, and Hoodia gordonii has larger flowers, around 2-3" from edge to edge.

Martin
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