Huernia hystrix
| Huernia hystrix | |
|---|---|
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| Growth form | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Huernia |
| Species: | H. hystrix
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| Binomial name | |
| Huernia hystrix | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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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]
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]
It is highly drought-tolerant and grows well in pots, and so is a good species for ornamental xeriscaping.[8] Destructive whole-plant harvesting has led to concerns about its survival.[9] 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[edit]
The following subspecies are accepted:[1]
- Huernia hystrix subsp. hystrix – KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Provinces, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
- Huernia hystrix subsp. parvula (L.C.Leach) Bruyns – KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Provinces
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Huernia hystrix (Porcupine Huernia)". World of Succulents. 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
Common Names ... Toad Plant
- ^ "Huernia hystrix". The Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham AB (1996) Zulu medicinal plants. An inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- ^ Long, C. "Swaziland’s flora: siSwati names and uses." Swaziland National Trust Commission: Mbambane, Swaziland (2005).
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ US application 2004052868, Asiedu, William; Frederick, Asiedu & Manny, Ennin et al., "Composition treating for AIDS and associated conditions", published 2004-03-18, since abandoned.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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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