Succulent member of the milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae.
Native to South Africa. A very odd, beautiful, and hard to find
species. Long used by the San Bushmen as a hunting food, which has
the effect of eliminating hunger and fatigue. Interest
in this plant has mushroomed since pharmaceutical giant Pfizer purchased
2.8 million dollars worth of the plants as well as sole research license.
Their program isolated a compound, now named "P 57", which acts
on the brain with 10,000 times the potency of glucose, causing a complete
loss of appetite. See
an article on Hoodia gordonii and the "San Bushmen's"
traditional use of the plant here.Produces
an odd and ill-smelling flower in order to attract flies as its
pollinating agents. Although any web search will turn up hundreds of
links to "diet pill Hoodia", live plants are extremely difficult
to find in the US and are protected by Endangered Species treaties which
ban international trade in this species.
Sold as a
nursery specimen only, not as a diet supplement!
Limited numbers of
multi-armed, 6 inch minimum height plants
available!
Produces
an odd and ill-smelling flower in order to attract flies as its
pollinating agents. Although any web search will turn up hundreds of
links to "diet pill Hoodia", live plants are extremely difficult
to find in the US and are protected by Endangered Species treaties which
ban international trade in this species.