What is the Hoodia Cactus?

The Hoodia cactus is actually a succulent plant, properly known as Hoodia gordonii, which is part of the Asclepiadaceae family. The Hoodia plant occurs in the very arid regions of Southern Africa where it has adapted to survive extended periods of drought. Common names include “Xhoba”, pronounced Ghoba, Queen of the Namib and Bushmens Hats.

Hoodia gordonii was first discovered by Col. R.J. Gordon (hence the name gordonii) while he was exploring the Orange River in 1776. Col. Gordon then referred the Hoodia plant to Francis Sweet who described it as Stapelia gordonii. Sweet then transferred it to the Hoodia genus which, unitl recently was part Asclepiadaceae family. Dr. Peter Bruyns of the Univerity of Cape Town recently reclassified the Stapeliads (plant bearing much of the characteristics of Hoodia species) of Southern Africa and moved the Hoodia genus into the Apocynaceae family.

Hoodia plants are distributed from central Namibia to southern Angola and southwards into northern South Africa. The Hoodia cactus can be found in plains and rocky areas throughout its distribution area.

Hoodia plants may look a lot like a cactus because it has spikes on the succulent stems, that can reach a height of one meter, these spikes are actually modified leaves which have evolved to protect the succulent stems from a variety of predators of the Hoodia plant. Hoodia plants are pollinated by flies, their primary pollinators that are attracted to the scent of rotting carrion that is emitted by the large saucer-shaped flesh-colored flowers.

The “Hoodia Cactus” is part of a genus that has other Hoodia species, these Hoodia plants do not contain the much sought after active ingredient present, P57. Biotech firms, such as Phytopharm, are trying to create a weight loss product based on this molecule, which is proving to be more difficult than initially anticipated, therefore companies and individual farmers are growing Hoodia under controlled environments to help meet the ever growing demand for the miraculous and all natural weight loss diet pill supplement.

Hoodia plants are CITES (Convention on Illicit Trade of Endangered Species) protected, which makes it illegal to collect Hoodia plants and their seeds from the wild without permission from the local authorities. When farmers, who grow the Hoodia cactus in a controlled environment export their Hoodia to foreign countries they are required by law to send a CITES certificate with the product. A CITES certificate is issued by local authorities, such as Fauna and Flora in South Africa.

The San People of the Kalahari, who have been using Hoodia plants for millennia to stave off hunger and thirst during their hunting trips, in South Africa will also benefit from each sale of the Hoodia cactus diet supplement that is made by a reputable dealer as they have agreed to pay them a royalty based on their folk knowledge of the plant.