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Useful Tropical Plants

Huernia hystrix

(Hook.f.) N.E.Br.

Apocynaceae

+ Synonyms

Huernia appendiculata A.Berger

Stapelia hystrix Hook.f.

Common Name:

Huernia hystrix
Close-up of the flower
Photograph by: Martin Heigan
Creative Commons License
Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix Huernia hystrix

General Information

Huernia hystrix is an evergreen, prostrate to erect, low-growing, succulent, leafless, perennial plant. It forms a small clump of five-angled stems, usually up to 8cm long and around 1cm in diameter[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is grown as an ornamental and has become rare in South Africa due to overharvesting[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

394
Title
Flora Capensis
Publication
 
Author
Hiern. W.P.; Brown N.E.
Website
http://www.aluka.org/action/doBrowse?sa=1&st=662543&execbr=&sls=
Publisher
 
Year
1909
ISBN
 
Description
Rather dated, and many of the botanical names have been changed since it was written, but contains a wealth of information about plants of southern Africa. It can be downloaded or viewed online.

Range

Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Perennial
Height0.08 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier regions in the tropical and subtropical regions.
Grows best in bright shade, in a gritty, freely draining soil[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Established plants are drought-tolerant[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A stem infusion is taken as a sexual stimulant[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Stem and root extract showed anti-inflammatory activity in vitro[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in individual containers, placing each seed about 5mm below soil level. Do not water from above because of the risk of fungal diseases, but soak the pots by partially immersing them in water and then enclose them in tightly sealed plastic bags. Place in a lightly shaded position at a temperature around 22 - 25°c and germination should take place within a few days[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Keep the plant out of direct light for at least the first 2 - 3 months[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Stem cuttings root easily[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Choose stems that are young, but mature, and around 8cm long. Leave the cutting in a bright, airy, dry place for 7 - 10 days for the cut surface to heal, then place them in a freely-draining compost, where they should root well within 3 - 5 weeks[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-11-22. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Huernia+hystrix>

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