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Caralluma
is a genus in the
Asclepiadaceous family. There are approximately 100
variable species in the genus. The star-shaped flowers
are black, purple, yellow or red in colour and may
appear in summer or autumn. Stems are angular with
rudimentary leaves, these leaves tend to resemble
spines. The plant is clump forming and are found in
Africa and India.
DESCRIPTION : This
large group consists of tender succulents found wild in
Africa, India and Afghanistan. These plants may be grown
outdoors in the warmer and drier parts, or in
greenhouses and window gardens. The plants of this group
vary from thin, recumbent stems from ½ to 1½ inches
thick to erect growing clumps up to 8 inches high. The
spines that cover the angled stems are actually leaves.
The star shaped, fleshy flowers of these plants are some
of the worst smelling of the succulent plants.
Ordinarily borne in late summer, the foul-smelling
blossoms are usually colored purple, black, yellow, tan,
maroon, red, or dark brown. They are
from ½ to 2 inches or more across and borne at the base
of the plant. In the wild, these blossoms are pollinated
by flies, which are greatly attracted to the plant
Caralluma socotrana forms a clump of coral-like, pale
green stems that grow up to 6 inches high and 2 feet
wide. In the autumn, maroon flowers are produced. These
are followed by twin-horned, papery seed pods. Caralluma
fimbriata is a succulent plant, in the cactus family,
that has been used as a natural appetite suppressant in
India for centuries. It's a new arrival in the family of
cactii and succulent plants that are becoming
increasingly popular for their appetite suppressant, and
weight loss properties, as well as their ability to
lower blood sugar. Supplements made from the popular
hoodia gordonii catcus from the Kalahari Desert in
Africa, are, for example, growing in popularity and
usage in the U.S. and Europe. |
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