What is Hoodia gordonii?

Pronounced "Hoodia (HOOD-ee-uh) gordonii" - a genus of 20 plus species:
Hoodia gordonii is the stoneage wonder plant found throughout the dry arid regions of the Southwestern African continent now on the verge of making history in the fight against obesity. It is a genus of the Asclepiadaceae family which consists of approximately 30 such species. Used instead of taking food on hunting trips, South African natives (the SAN People) rely on Hoodia gordonii to suppress hunger, quench thirst, and provide energy. Eating bits and pieces of the Hoodia plant along the way was chosen over carrying food. This made them more fleet-footed and better able to chase after the animals they hunted.

Hoodia first drew outside attention when in 1937, a Dutch anthropologist visited the Kalahari and recorded the SAN tribe's people using Hoodia gordonii as an appetite suppressant. The African name for the Hoodia gordonii plant is Xhoba or Ghaap , but scientists know it by its given botanical name, Hoodia gordonii. Forming clumps of erect multi-angled stems this spiny, perennial succulent that looks like a cactus, is not a cactus (there are no native cacti in Africa), it is actually a member of the milkweed Asclepiadaceae family, and can grow 2 1/2 feet tall, (not 6-7 feet as some would have believe). The large brownish unpleasant smelling flower located at the tips of the Hoodia gordonii stems ensures its propagation and survival in the wild by emitting a distinct carrion odor that attracts flies which pollinate them.

Let the Buyer Beware

Extra care must be exercised Whenever you http://www.hoodia-dietpills.com">buy hoodia because unless you're fully familiar with the various species, it can be very difficult to identify real South African hoodia gordonii because it resembles many ordinary cacti, and looks remarkably similar to other Hoodia succulents.