Hydnora africana
Hydnora africana
Jackal food
★
Taxonomy
Family Hydnoraceae · Genus Hydnora
Description
Hydnora africana is one of the world’s strangest plants: a leafless, underground parasite that erupts with a fleshy, carrion-scented flower. Native to southern Africa and living off Euphorbia roots, it’s a botanical curiosity for the bravest collectors—challenging to grow but unforgettable when it blooms.
Common Names
Jackal foodJakkalskosHydnoraAfrican hydnora
Context
nativeRegion
Southern Africa (primarily South Africa and Namibia).
usdaZones
10–12 (frost-free, arid to semi-arid).
companionPlants
Euphorbia mauritanica, Euphorbia caput-medusae, Euphorbia gummifera, Euphorbia hamata, Other hardy Euphorbia spp.
culturalUses
Edible subterranean fruit (“jackal food”) eaten by people and wildlife; used traditionally as an astringent for diarrhea and oral care; tannin-rich tissues used for tanning.
Care
Care Requirements
LightFull sun to very bright light for the Euphorbia host; the Hydnora remains underground.
WateringInfrequent, deep soaks followed by a thorough dry-down; avoid sustained moisture and waterlogged soils.
SoilVery fast-draining, sandy/gritty mix (70–90% mineral) such as cactus mix with coarse sand/pumice; wide, shallow container to encourage host root spread.
FertilizerFeed the host sparingly with a dilute, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer in spring–summer; do not directly fertilize Hydnora.
HumidityLow humidity preferred; arid conditions with excellent airflow.
TemperatureWarm: 65–95°F (18–35°C) ideal; keep above 50°F (10°C); avoid frost.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitHoloparasitic, leafless, achlorophyllous root parasite; mostly subterranean, producing a fleshy, malodorous bloom at the surface.
Mature SizeFlower 6–15 cm tall and wide; subterranean rhizome can spread 30+ cm along host roots.
Growth RateVery slow-growing; may take several years after host infection to flower.
BloomingTypically after warm rains; emits a fecal odor and briefly traps carrion/dung beetles to ensure pollination.
DormancySubterranean most of the year; above-ground only during flowering and fruiting.
Propagation
MethodsFresh seed placed in direct contact with actively growing Euphorbia roots, Inoculating/co-potting host plants with infected root sections, Rarely, rhizome segment with attached host tissue
DifficultyExtremely difficult; expert-only due to strict host dependency and germination cues.
Best SeasonLate spring to early summer or the onset of warm rains when hosts are actively growing.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningNone required; optionally remove spent floral tissue gently after fruiting if accessible.
RepottingAvoid disturbing the pot. If grown with a host in a container, repot only when necessary and keep the infected root mass intact.
Pests & DiseasesRoot rot from overwatering; fungal rot in poorly drained media; common succulent pests (mealybugs, scale) may affect the Euphorbia host.
ToxicityNot known to be toxic; the fruit is edible. Caution: many Euphorbia hosts exude caustic, toxic latex.
Recent Public Plants
No public plants yet.