Hoodia

Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Subfamily:	Asclepiadoideae
Tribe:	Stapeliae
Genus:	Hoodia Sweet ex Decne.
Species
See text

Hoodia ( /ˈhʊdiːə/) is a genus of 13 species in the flowering plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae.^[1] They are stem succulents, described as "cactiform" because of their remarkable similarity to the unrelated cactus family. They can reach up to 1m high and have large flowers, often with tan colour and strong smell.

Many Hoodia species are protected plants, typical of the Namib Desert, ranging from Central Namibia to southern Angola, especially in plains and rocky areas. Common names include "Bushman's Hat" and "Queen of the Namib".

Several species are grown as garden plants, and one species, Hoodia gordonii, is being investigated for use as an appetite suppressant.^[2] However, in 2008 UK-based Unilever PLC, one of the largest packaged-food firms in the world, abandoned plans to use hoodia in a range of diet products. In a document on Unilever's website entitled "Sustainable Development 2008: An Overview," signed by Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever states: "During 2008, having invested 20 million [pounds] in R&D, Unilever abandoned plans to use the slimming extract hoodia in a range of diet products. We stopped the project because our clinical studies revealed that products using hoodia would not meet our strict standards of safety and efficacy."

Hoodia is currently listed in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which includes species not currently considered endangered but are at risk if trade is not controlled.^[3]

Species

• Hoodia alstonii
• Hoodia cactus
• Hoodia currorii (syn. H. lugardii, H. macrantha)
• Hoodia dregei
• Hoodia flava
• Hoodia gordonii (syn. Stapelia gordonii, H. barklyi, H. burkei, H. longispina)
• Hoodia juttae
• Hoodia mossamedensis
• Hoodia officinalis (syn. H. delaetiana)
• Hoodia parviflora
• Hoodia pedicellata
• Hoodia pilifera (syn. H. annulata, H. grandis, H. pillansii)
• Hoodia ruschii (Queen of the Namib)
• Hoodia triebneri (syn. H. foetida)

References

1. ^ Stevens PF (2001 onwards) (2007-06-03). "Angiosperm Phylogeny Website: Gentianales". Missouri Botanical Gardens. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/orders/gentianalesweb.htm#Apocynaceae. Retrieved 2008-03-21. 
2. ^ Wong, Cathy (2007-09-20). ""What You Need to Know About Hoodia Diet Pills" Website: About.com". http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/hoodia1.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-02. 
3. ^ "CITES Appendices I, II and III". http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml. Retrieved 2008-03-21. 

External links

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Hoodia