Huernia
Encyclopedia
The genus Huernia
The genus Huernia (family Asclepiadaceae
consists of some (30-)60 species
of stem succulents from Eastern and Southern Africa
. The flower
s are five-lobed, usually somewhat more funnel- or bell-shaped than in the closely related genus
Stapelia
, and often striped vividly in contrasting colours or tones, some glossy, others matt and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. To pollinate, the flower
s attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion
. The genus is considered close to the genera Stapelia
and Hoodia
. The name is in honour of Justin Heurnius (1587–1652) a Dutch
missionary
who is reputed to have been the first collector of South African Cape
plants. His name was actually mis-spelt by the collector.
Various species of Huernia are considered famine food
by the inhabitants of Konso special woreda
in southern Ethiopia
. The local inhabitants, who call the native species of this genus baqibaqa indiscriminately, eat it with prepared balls of sorghum
; they note that baqibaqa tastes relatively good and has no unpleasant side-effects when boiled and consumed. As a result, it is encouraged by the local farmers to grow on stone walls forming the terraces, where it does not compete with other crops.
The genus Huernia (family Asclepiadaceae
Asclepiadaceae
According to APG II, the Asclepiadaceae is a former plant family now treated as a subfamily in the Apocynaceae...
consists of some (30-)60 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of stem succulents from Eastern and Southern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are five-lobed, usually somewhat more funnel- or bell-shaped than in the closely related genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Stapelia
Stapelia
The genus Stapelia consists of around 40 species of low growing, spineless, stem succulent plants, predominantly from South Africa. The flowers of certain species, most notably Stapelia gigantea, can reach 41 cm in diameter when fully open...
, and often striped vividly in contrasting colours or tones, some glossy, others matt and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. To pollinate, the flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
. The genus is considered close to the genera Stapelia
Stapelia
The genus Stapelia consists of around 40 species of low growing, spineless, stem succulent plants, predominantly from South Africa. The flowers of certain species, most notably Stapelia gigantea, can reach 41 cm in diameter when fully open...
and Hoodia
Hoodia
Hoodia is a genus of 13 species in the flowering plant family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. They are stem succulents, described as "cactiform" because of their remarkable similarity to the unrelated cactus family...
. The name is in honour of Justin Heurnius (1587–1652) a Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
who is reputed to have been the first collector of South African Cape
Cape
Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic...
plants. His name was actually mis-spelt by the collector.
Various species of Huernia are considered famine food
Famine food
A famine food or poverty food is any inexpensive or readily-available foodstuff used to nourish people in times of extreme poverty or starvation, as during a war or famine...
by the inhabitants of Konso special woreda
Konso special woreda
Konso is one of the 77 woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region of Ethiopia. Because Konso is not part of any Zone in the SNNPR, it is considered a Special woreda, an administrative subdivision which is similar to an autonomous area. This woreda is named after the Konso...
in southern Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. The local inhabitants, who call the native species of this genus baqibaqa indiscriminately, eat it with prepared balls of sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
; they note that baqibaqa tastes relatively good and has no unpleasant side-effects when boiled and consumed. As a result, it is encouraged by the local farmers to grow on stone walls forming the terraces, where it does not compete with other crops.
Selected species
- Huernia barbata
- Huernia boleana
- Huernia halliiHuernia halliiHuernia hallii is a species of plant in the Asclepiadaceae family. It is endemic to Namibia. Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-References:* Craven, P. 2004. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
- Huernia keniensis
- Huernia macrocarpaHuernia macrocarpaHuernia macrocarpa is a colorful succulent plant related to the milkweeds. It grows to a height of a few inches, extending fleshy, toothed arms and dark pink star-shaped flowers. It is commonly kept as a potted houseplant....
- Huernia piersii
- Huernia pillansii
- Huernia plowesiiHuernia plowesiiHuernia plowesii is a species of plant in the Asclepiadaceae family. It is endemic to Namibia. Its natural habitat is rocky areas.-References:* Craven, P. 2004. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
- Huernia primulina
- Huernia quinta
- Huernia schneiderana
- Huernia striata
- Huernia zebrina