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Huernia hystrix

{{Short description|Species of plant in the genus Huernia}}

{{Speciesbox

|image=Huernia hystrix, a, Groenkloof Natuurreservaat.jpg

|image_caption=Growth form

|genus=Huernia

|species=hystrix

|authority=(Hook.f.) N.E.Br.

|synonyms_ref=

|synonyms={{Collapsible list|

  • Ceropegia hystrix (Hook.f.) Bruyns
  • Ceropegia hystrix subsp. parvula (L.C.Leach) Bruyns
  • Huernia appendiculata A.Berger
  • Huernia hystrix var. parvula L.C.Leach
  • Stapelia hystrix Hook.f.

}}}}

Huernia hystrix, the porcupine huernia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to southeastern Africa.{{cite web |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:98774-1 |title=Huernia hystrix (Hook.f.) N.E.Br. |author= |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=10 April 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://worldofsucculents.com/huernia-hystrix-porcupine-huernia |title=Huernia hystrix (Porcupine Huernia) |author= |date=2020 |newspaper=World of Succulents |access-date=10 April 2021 |quote=Common Names ... Toad Plant}} A succulent, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web |title=Huernia hystrix |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8865/i-Huernia-hystrix-i/Details |publisher=The Royal Horticultural Society |access-date=10 April 2021}}

Distribution

H. hystrix is extensively sold in Zulu markets throughout South Africa for its supposed medicinal and protective magical properties,Hutchings A, Scott AH, Lewis G, Cunningham AB (1996) Zulu medicinal plants. An inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and in Eswatini as an alleged aphrodisiac.Long, C. "Swaziland’s flora: siSwati names and uses." Swaziland National Trust Commission: Mbambane, Swaziland (2005).

Extracts from its stem and leaves may contain chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties,{{Cite journal |last1=Amoo |first1=S. O. |last2=Finnie |first2=J. F. |last3=Van Staden |first3=J. |date=2009-03-01 |title=In vitro propagation of Huernia hystrix: an endangered medicinal and ornamental succulent |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-008-9484-8 |journal=Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture |language=en |volume=96 |issue=3 |pages=273–278 |doi=10.1007/s11240-008-9484-8 |s2cid=30950587 |issn=1573-5044|url-access=subscription }} It has been proposed as a treatment for people suffering from HIV/AIDS.{{Cite patent|number=2004052868|title=Composition treating for AIDS and associated conditions|country=US|status=application|pubdate=2004-03-18|inventor1-last=Asiedu|inventor1-first=William|inventor2-last=Frederick|inventor2-first=Asiedu|inventor3-last=Manny|inventor3-first=Ennin|inventor4=Michael Doudu; Charles Boateng; Kwasi Appiah-Kubi; Seth Ware; Debrah Boateng; Kofi Ampim; William Owusu; Akwete Adjei}}, since abandoned.

Habitation

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

Threat

Destructive whole-plant harvesting has led to concerns about its survival.{{Cite journal |last1=Ndawonde |first1=BG |last2=Zobolo |first2=AM |last3=Dlamini |first3=ET |last4=Siebert |first4=SJ |date=2007-07-01 |title=A survey of plants sold by traders at Zululand muthi markets, with a view to selecting popular plant species for propagation in communal gardens |url=https://doi.org/10.2989/AJRFS.2007.24.2.7.161 |journal=African Journal of Range & Forage Science |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=103–107 |doi=10.2989/AJRFS.2007.24.2.7.161 |s2cid=83672511 |issn=1022-0119|url-access=subscription }}

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.

Subtaxa

The following subspecies are accepted:

  • Huernia hystrix subsp. hystrix – KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Provinces, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
  • Huernia hystrix subsp. parvula (L.C.Leach) Bruyns – KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Provinces

References

{{Reflist}}

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hystrix

Category:Flora of Mozambique

Category:Flora of Zimbabwe

Category:Flora of Swaziland

Category:Flora of the Northern Provinces

Category:Flora of KwaZulu-Natal

Category:Flora of the Cape Provinces

Category:Plants described in 1876

Category:Taxa named by N. E. Brown

Category:Taxa named by Joseph Dalton Hooker

{{Apocynaceae-stub}}