[10] One of the smallest plastid genomes among flowering plants has been found in the genus Hydnora.

[12] As compared to the chloroplast genome of its closest photosynthetic relatives, the plastome of Hydnora visseri shows extreme reduction in both size (ca.

[11] Other Hydnora species are known to be available in Southern African herbal markets in Mozambique[13] and South Africa.

[14] In South Africa the Imbola yesiXhosa are reported to use a thin paste of the powdered Hydnora rhizome as a treatment for acne and other skin conditions.

are reported to be used as food (fruits) and medicine (rhizomes) for diarrhea, hypertension, and diabetes,[16] though these claims have not been confirmed.