| Caralluma | |
|---|---|
| Caralluma acuntangula inflorescence | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asclepiadoideae |
| Tribe: | Ceropegieae |
| Subtribe: | Stapeliinae |
| Genus: | Caralluma R.Br. |
| Species | |
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See text |
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| Synonyms | |
Caralluma is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, consisting of about 120 species. Once classified in the family Asclepiadaceae, it is now in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae. The generic name is derived from the Arabic word qahr al-luhum, meaning "wound in the flesh" or "abscess," referring the floral odour. Most of the species occur in Africa, including several taxa valued by people for their medicinal properties. One species, Caralluma edulis is eaten as a vegetable.
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