Cultivars from Diploid Lines of Hoodia gordonii
Introduction
Listed here are our new cultivars of Hoodia gordonii that were identified as diploids by testing or that were found in subsequent generations of plants grown from seeds of plants that had a known diploid predecessor. Untested cultivars, and cultivars from predecessors of unknown ploidy are also included here because only diploids have been reported in wild plants. The ploidy of the cultivars listed here has not been tested except as noted in their descriptions.
Our plants are also open pollinated and if other species of Hoodia were blooming at the time the seed producing plants of these cultivars were also blooming the resulting seeds could be hybrids. If the only other plants in bloom were Hoodia gordonii then it is unlikely that the cultivars are hybrids. Potential hybridization may be indicated by the appearance of the floral anatomy and other phenotypic characteristics shown in the images.
As we build content for this section we will add additional data on the origins and genotypes of the cultivars and their characteristics.
Availability of Seeds and Plants of These Cultivars
Seeds and certified plants of many of these cultivars are available for purchase through our online store.
Listing of Cultivars
Diploid Cultivar HG-NC1
This cultivar was the most vigorous of the very few surviving seedlings produced from three large lots of seeds obtained from growers in Germany in 2004-2006. It formed many branches and cuttings made from them were much easier to root than other plants acquired from outside sources. At least six successive generations of plants were grown from this plant and many seed lots were produced from the cuttings. Testing of specimens of the cultivar grown in artificial cultivation confirmed its identity as Hoodia gordonii, and the presence of P-57 at a level similar to that of plants from wild sources.
These characteristics made this cultivar the most suitable stock for our research and plant breeding activities. The batch of seeds from which cultivar HG-NC1 was produced was also treated with colchicine but ploidy testing confirmed that it was diploid. Most of our tetraploid cultivars were derived from seeds of this first diploid cultivar treated with colchicine.
Because information about this cultivar is extensive and there are numerous images we have created a Separate Page for it.
Diploid Cultivar HG-NC2
This was another cultivar developed from a seed lot acquired from Germany. We were able to produce cuttings from this plant that rooted. The plant and all cuttings were lost to soft rot before seeds were produced. It is now extinct. Seeds and plants of this cultivar will not be available.
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC2 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC2 After Removal of Cuttings |
Diploid Cultivar HG-NC7
This cultivar was a high performing seedling selected a batch of seedlings from a batch of colchicine treated seeds of cultivar HG-NC1. Testing confirmed that it was diploid. Seed lots from this cultivar will be offered from our online store.
 Hoodia gordonii diploid Cultivar HG-NC7 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC7 Flower Center |
Cultivar HG-NC11 – Ploidy Undetermined
This cultivar was found in a lot of seedlings that were shipped from our Frederick, Maryland facility to Hawaii in 2013. The shipping container was severely damaged in shipment resulting in the loss of the pot tag identifying the plant and its ancestry. The original plant is now extinct but seeds from it will be available from our online store.
 Hoodia gordonii Tetraploid Cultivar HG-NC11 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC11 Typical Flower |
Diploid Cultivar HG-NC12
This cultivar was a high performing seedling selected from seedlings from a batch of seeds treated in our second colchicine exposure experiment. Testing confirmed that it was diploid. We may offer several seed lots of this cultivar and its F2 generations soon.
 Hoodia gordonii Diploid Cultivar HG-NC12 |
Abnormal Follicle Development
The follicles of one plant of this cultivar showed abnormal development with a ring-like structure that constricted and prevented separation of the two seed horns.
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 Abnormal Follicle Developing |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 Maturing Abnormal Follicle |
F2 Hybrids of Cultivar HG-NC12
At least two lots of seeds (SL70 and SL71) from this cultivar appeared promising with exceptionally fast growth rates. The form of the plants was prostrate and as they reached maturity there was significant to complete loss of roots. Further development of these was terminated.
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 F2 Hybrid Genotype SL70 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 F2 Hybrid, Typical Flower Genotype SL70 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 F2 Hybrid, Flower Center, Genotype SL70 |
 Hoodia gordonii Cultivar HG-NC12 F2 Hybrid, Typical Flower Genotype SL71-02 |
Diploid Cultivar HG-NC14
This cultivar emerged as a seedling from seeds produced from Cultivar HG-NC1. The original plant is now extinct.
 Hoodia gordonii Diploid Cultivar HG-NC14 |
 Hoodia gordonii Diploid Cultivar HG-NC14 Typical Flower |
 Hoodia gordonii Diploid Cultivar HG-NC14 Flower Center |
Plants and Seeds for Sale
Improved Cultivars
We offer plants and seeds of improved diploid varieties of this species (cultivars) that we have developed from our online store. The species name listed for these cultivars is that associated with the seed-bearing plant from which the seeds or plants were grown. Because all of our plants are open pollinated in most cases we cannot definitively determine of the pollinator and all of our cultivars may have hybridized with other species.
Restrictions on Use of Cultivars. Sales and samples of plants, cuttings and seeds of this species and its cultivars are subject to our Hawaiian Hoodia™ License Agreement. All patent rights are reserved by Sustainable Bioresources, LLC. The transfer of Improved Cultivars as defined in the agreement from the buyer to other parties, and all commercial propagation or other commercial uses of these cultivars is prohibited.
We welcome inquiries about potential arrangements for commercial licensing and/or distributorships of our Hawaiian Hoodia™ products.
Please Contact Us for additional information.
Organic Status
All of the live plants and cuttings of our Improved Cultivars of this species offered for sale were produced following the organic farming standards of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program.
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Availability and Ordering Information
Nursery Stock. Live plants and seeds of some diploid cultivars of this species are available for purchase from our online store.
Photos taken in December 2019 of typical plants of this species to be offered for sale are shown below. These seedlings were approximately one year old when the photos were taken and were in 5” pots. In 2022 some of these plants have matured and will be offered for sale at harvestable size.
 Hoodia gordonii, Seedlings from Diploid Lines |
Seeds. We offer seeds from specific cultivars of this species, and mixtures of seeds from multiple seed lots from our online store. Each lot consists of seeds from one follicle (two horns), produced from one pollination event and should have similar genetics. Seeds from specific seed lots are also available and there are usually from 100 – 400 seeds in each lot. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing these or more information.
Cuttings. Currently, we do not offer cuttings of this species.
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipments. Hoodia plants and cuttings from our certified nursery, and seeds can be shipped to all states and territories of the U.S except California. We are no longer shipping plants or cuttings to California. All plants will be shipped bare root.
International Shipments. All shipments of Hoodia plants, cuttings, seeds and materials derived from Hoodia plants to destinations outside the U.S. must comply with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These shipments will be made under the provisions of our CITES Master File number 44411D, Original Permit/Certificate number 19US52992D/9 and single use permits issued to us by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We must obtain a single use permit for each shipment, regardless of its size. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Inspections, import permits and issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates may also be necessary, and documentation requirements vary by country. Advance payment of fees may be required for permits, certificates, inspections and related services. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Sale for additional information. International customers are advised to contact us for before placing orders for any of our Hoodia products as the requirements and logistics for shipments from Hawaii are currently unsettled.
This page was last updated on January 30, 2022.