The genus Huernia (family Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae) consists of perennial, stem succulents from Eastern and Southern Africa and Arabia, first described as a genus in 1810.

The flowers are five-lobed, usually somewhat more funnel- or bell-shaped than in the closely related genus Stapelia, and often striped vividly in contrasting colors or tones, some glossy, others matte and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. Frequently the flowers are colored a variation of red, yellow or brown. To pollinate, the flowers attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion. The genus is considered close to the genera Stapelia and Hoodia. Phylogenetic studies have shown the genus to be monophyletic, and most closely related to the genus Tavaresia, and to a widespread branch of stapeliads comprising the genera Orbea, Piaranthus and Stapelia.

The name of the plant is in honor of Justus van Heurne (1587–1653?) a Dutch missionary, botanist, and doctor, who is reputed to have been the first European to document and collect South African Cape plants. His surname has variations (van Horne, Heurnius, van Heurnius), As a result, local farmers encouraged it to grow on stone walls forming the terraces, where it does not compete with other crops.

;formerly included

moved to Angolluma

  • Huernia sprengeri now Angolluma sprengeri

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File:Huernia aspera.jpg|alt=Huernia asperia|Huernia asperia

File:Huernia guttata ericbrian.jpg|alt=Huernia guttata|Huernia guttata

File:Huernia piersii1.JPG|alt=Huernia piersii|Huernia piersii

File:Huernia primulina (Vermont).jpg|alt=Huernia primulina|Huernia primulina

File:Huernia quinta.JPG|alt=Huernia quinta|Huernia quinta

File:Flower of Huernia schneideriana.jpg|alt=Huernia schneideriana|Huernia schneideriana

File:Huernia striata1.JPG|alt=Huernia striata|Huernia striata

File:Huernia zebrina kwiat.jpg|alt=Huernia zebrina|Huernia zebrina

</gallery>

References

  • Images of Stapeliads
  • Plant care