Huernia hystrix

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Huernia hystrix
Huernia hystrix, a, Groenkloof Natuurreservaat.jpg
Growth form
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Huernia
Species:
H. hystrix
Binomial name
Huernia hystrix
Synonyms [1]
List
    • Ceropegia hystrix(Hook.f.) Bruyns
    • Ceropegia hystrix subsp. parvula(L.C.Leach) Bruyns
    • Huernia appendiculataA.Berger
    • Huernia hystrix var. parvulaL.C.Leach
    • Stapelia hystrixHook.f.

Huernia hystrix, the porcupine huernia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to southeastern Africa. [1] [2] A succulent, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [3]

Contents

Distribution

H. hystrix is extensively sold in Zulu markets throughout South Africa for its supposed medicinal and protective magical properties, [4] and in Eswatini as an alleged aphrodisiac. [5]

Extracts from its stem and leaves may contain chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties, [6] It has been proposed as a treatment for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. [7]

Habitation

It is highly drought-tolerant and grows well in pots, and so is a good species for ornamental xeriscaping. [8]

Threat

Destructive whole-plant harvesting has led to concerns about its survival. [9]

Propagation

Researchers at University of KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden have discovered multiple shoots can be propagated from a single explant by treatment with Murashige and Skoog medium + 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid + 6-Benzylaminopurine with 95% survival rates. [6]

Subtaxa

The following subspecies are accepted: [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Huernia hystrix (Hook.f.) N.E.Br". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Huernia hystrix (Porcupine Huernia)". World of Succulents. 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021. Common Names ... Toad Plant
  3. ↑ "Huernia hystrix". The Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  4. ↑ Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham AB (1996) Zulu medicinal plants. An inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  5. ↑ Long, C. "Swaziland’s flora: siSwati names and uses." Swaziland National Trust Commission: Mbambane, Swaziland (2005).
  6. 1 2 Amoo, S. O.; Finnie, J. F.; Van Staden, J. (2009-03-01). "In vitro propagation of Huernia hystrix: an endangered medicinal and ornamental succulent". Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 96 (3): 273–278. doi:10.1007/s11240-008-9484-8. ISSN   1573-5044. S2CID   30950587.
  7. ↑ USapplication 2004052868,Asiedu, William; Frederick, Asiedu& Manny, Enninet al.,"Composition treating for AIDS and associated conditions",published 2004-03-18, since abandoned.
  8. ↑ Al-Turki TA (2002) An initiative in exploration and management of plant genetic diversity in Saudi Arabia. In: Engels JMM, Ramanatha Rao V, Brown AHD, Jackson MT (eds) Managing plant genetic diversity. IPGRI, Rome, Italy, pp 339–349
  9. ↑ Ndawonde, BG; Zobolo, AM; Dlamini, ET; Siebert, SJ (2007-07-01). "A survey of plants sold by traders at Zululand muthi markets, with a view to selecting popular plant species for propagation in communal gardens". African Journal of Range & Forage Science. 24 (2): 103–107. doi:10.2989/AJRFS.2007.24.2.7.161. ISSN   1022-0119. S2CID   83672511.
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