| Hoodia gordonii | |
|---|---|
| |
| In the Biedouw Valley, Cederberg | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Hoodia |
| Species: | H. gordonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hoodia gordonii | |
Hoodia gordonii, also known as Bushman’s hat, is a leafless spiny succulent plant supposed to have therapeutic properties in folk medicine. It grows naturally in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. The species became internationally known and threatened by collectors, after a marketing campaign falsely claimed that it was an appetite suppressant for weight loss.[2][3] The flowers smell like rotten meat and are pollinated mainly by flies. The indigenous San people of the Namib desert call this plant ǁhoba (pronounced [kǁʰɔbɑ] – the initial sound is a lateral click).
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Wendy AM Blom; Salomon L Abrahamse; Roberta Bradford; Guus SMJE Duchateau; Winfried Theis; Antonia Orsi; Caroline L Ward; David J Mela (2011). "Effects of 15-d repeated consumption of Hoodia gordonii purified extract on safety, ad libitum energy intake, and body weight in healthy, overweight women: a randomized controlled trial". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 94 (5): 1171–1181. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.020321. PMID 21993434.
- ^ Harriet Hall (November 8, 2011). "Weight Loss Customers Are Being Hoodia-Winked". Science-Based Medicine.