"Some people say hoodia gordonii is a cactus, others say it isn't. What's the truth?"
You must be an amateur botanist to be interested in this subject.
Many people refer to hoodia gordonii as a cactus (even this website does, sometimes) but the truth is that hoodia gordonii is NOT a cactus. Hoodia gordonii is a succulent – meaning a plant with thick, fleshy leaves and/or stems. Succulents are frequently found in the desert. Cacti are a type of succulent.
Hoodia gordonii is a member of the milkweed family, Asclepiadaceae.
There are about 20 hoodia species that grow in Africa, many very similar to hoodia gordonii. They include Hoodia alstonii, Hoodia currorii, Hoodia currorii, Hoodia lugardii, Hoodia dregei, Hoodia flava, Hoodia juttae, Hoodia officinalis, Hoodia parviflora, Hoodia pedicellata, Hoodia pilifera, Hoodia pilifera, Hoodia ruschii and Hoodia triebneri.
If your hoodia supplement has one of these names on the side, then it is NOT hoodia gordonii. The other hoodia species may have similar effects but they have not been studied. Only hoodia gordonii has been studied in laboratories.
I hope that answers your question.
