Product No. P08021 Hoodia plants have an appearance very similar
to cacti, but are classified as succulents. The Hoodia genus
encompasses a number of varieties of plant, of which Hoodia
gordonii is one species. They are natives to the semi-deserts of
South Africa and Namibia, with Hoodia Gordonii growing in the
Kalahari Desert region of South Africa. Hoodia gordonii grows in
clumps of short, upright stems, with regular brown-spined stem
angles. The stems are a greyish-brown colour with a light green
new growth. These plants are very difficult to grow and need a
lot of water, warm temperatures and sunlight. They take many
years to mature. The hoodia gordonii species is the most sought
after for trade and occurs in fairly large areas. However,
hoodia is protected by national conservation laws - it can only
be collected or grown with a permit. For many centuries the San
bushmen of the Kalahari desert have used Hoodia plants as a
thirst quencher and food substance whilst hunting and travelling
across the vast des