Hoodia flava
| Light | Bright light to full sun once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly in the warm months; keep dry through winter |
| Soil | Very free-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Warmth-loving; keep well above freezing, USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Seed; cuttings are possible but root slowly and are prone to rot |
| Toxicity | No serious toxicity reported |
Hoodia flava is a southern African stem succulent in the milkweed family (Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae), forming clumps of erect, spiny grey-green stems topped in season with scented, saucer-shaped yellow flowers. It is a member of the genus Hoodia, a group of stapeliads native to the arid country of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Description
Hoodia flava grows as a cluster of stout, upright stems, grey-green to bluish and ribbed lengthwise, each rib lined with hardened tubercles that end in a sharp spine. Mature clumps can build into a low, many-stemmed mound. Like other stapeliads it lacks true leaves — the succulent stems do the work of photosynthesis and water storage.
The flowers are the highlight: broad, shallow, saucer- to bell-shaped blooms, pale to clear yellow, usually appearing near the stem tips. As the specific epithet flava ("yellow") suggests, the colour is cleaner and softer than the maroon blooms of many relatives. Despite the yellow colouring, the flowers are carrion-scented and fly-pollinated in habitat, like the true carrion flowers (Stapelia).
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in the dry interior of southern Africa, across parts of Namibia and South Africa (chiefly the Northern and Western Cape). It is a plant of hot, arid country, growing in stony or sandy ground, often sheltered among low shrubs and rocks that give a little shade and run-off. Rainfall is low and seasonal, and plants endure long dry spells followed by brief growth after rain.
Cultivation
Hoodia flava has a reputation for being touchier than the average stapeliad, and rot is the usual cause of loss. Grow it in a very open, mostly mineral mix in a pot with excellent drainage, and give it strong light — bright sun once acclimatised produces the tightest, healthiest growth and the best flowering.
Water sparingly during the warm growing season, letting the mix dry fully between waterings, and keep the plant essentially dry and warm through winter. Because the roots resent cold, wet conditions, err on the side of underwatering. Growers in cooler or wetter climates often keep Hoodia under cover and give a little extra warmth. Some hobbyists graft difficult Hoodia onto a more vigorous stapeliad rootstock to sidestep root troubles; see Grafting and Repotting for technique.
Propagation
Seed is the most reliable route. Fresh seed, sown on a warm, gritty surface and kept lightly moist, germinates well; the tiny seedlings are then grown on carefully with sharp drainage. Cuttings can be taken but root slowly and are especially prone to rotting at the base, so they must be dried thoroughly before being set in a barely-moist mineral mix. See Propagation — seed and Propagation — cuttings for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — by far the commonest killer, from overwatering, a slow-draining mix, or cold wet roots; stems soften, blacken and collapse.
- Mealybugs — white cottony pests hide in the stem grooves and around the roots; see Pests and diseases.
- Sun scorch — plants moved abruptly into fierce sun without acclimatising can bleach or scar; increase light gradually.
Legal status
The genus Hoodia is listed under CITES Appendix II (listed in 2005), and Hoodia flava is covered by that listing. In practice this means international trade in the plants, and in their parts and derivatives, requires the appropriate CITES permits. The listing reflects concern over wild harvesting; nursery-propagated plants may be traded legally with the correct documentation, but paperwork is needed to move plants across international borders. Growers buying or selling across borders should ensure their plants come with valid CITES paperwork and comply with local wildlife-trade regulations.
See also
- Hoodia — the genus overview
- Stapelia · Ceropegia — related stapeliads
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Propagation — cuttings