Month: August 2018

Delosperma crassum

Both the current name and its synonym D. robustum refer to the unusually sturdy appearance of this species compared to other Delospermas.

The plants form erect shrubs up to 30 cm tall, with a basal stem up to 4.5 cm in diameter. They have yellowish brown branches, which are covered in small papillae when young.
The leaves are erect to spreading, more or less round in cross-section, 1.5-2.5 cm long and up to 3 mm thick, bright green and velvety.
In July-August the mainly straw-coloured flowers appear; they are solitary and up to 2.5 cm in diameter, with a few staminodes (yellow with a white base) .

The distribution area is from Kamieskroon to Vredenburg and the plants are found on stony ground.
Pictures were taken earlier this month on the Knersvlakte.

 

Pelargonium violiflorum

Of the Pelargoniums with underground tubers, this is one of the most appealing.
The plants have large  leaves (to 12 x 10 cm), changing from simple (undivided) in young plants to divided in various ways later on.
In September – November they produce more or less flat-topped inflorescences; these consist of 3-6  parts, each with up to 14 white flowers about 1 cm in diameter.

The plants occur in dry scrub and open places from Worcester to Stormsvlei and Bonnievale. Partly because much of the area has been cleared for growing grapes, they are localised and rather rare.