This species is found sporadically from Montagu eastwards to the Eastern Cape, usually on rocky outcrops. The leaves are covered in silvery grey felt, protecting the plant against desiccation.
The first picture was taken southwest of Ladismith, the second one northwest of the same town and the last one at the foot the Rooiberg near Calitzdorp.
The genus Wooleya has never had more than one species, which is rather uncommon.
The plants occur only on the sandy coastal plains of Namaqualand near the sea, where there is regular fog. They become up to half a meter tall and up to 70 cm in diameter. The leaves look as if they are covered in flour (farinosa means just that).
Photographed at Hondeklipbaai, 31 March 2012.
It seemed appropriate to devote this first post from my new home to a plant that was first discovered near Montagu. Nowadays it is known to be widely distributed from just south of Ceres to the area north of Port Elizabeth. In a genus where most plants look rather dull when not in flower, this is probably the most handsome. It is a robust species, forming shrubs of almost half a meter tall and even more in diameter. (The only Quaqua that is occasionally bigger is Q. mammillaris). In spite of their size, the plants are not always very easy to find. The shape and mottling of the stems provide a nice camouflage.
The two plants in habitat were photographed in early November at the northern foot of the Rooiberg pass near Calitzdorp. The flowering plant is a cultivated one.
After just over two weeks, Telkom has seen fit to connect me to the Internet again. Thank you, thank you.
Last week they sent a technician to restore my telephone connection and today they sent another one to do the ADSL part. It must be wonderful to have a monopoly, especially on such a vital component of modern life. As their “valued customer” you can moan and groan as much as much as you want, but in the end you just have to accept what is thrown at you. Anyway, all is well that ends well. Or so they say.
This week my wife and I will move house from Calitzdorp in the centre of the Little Karoo to Montagu, its westernmost town.
For a plantsman like me that is exciting, because there is a whole new lot of plants to be discovered and photographed. For you it hopefully means that you will be treated to a variety of pictures of new and different succulents.
The bad news is that because of lack of cooperation between Telkom, the telephone company and Mweb, the ISP, we will not have an Internet connection for some time. How much time? “Time will tell”. Anything from a few days to a few weeks it seems.
I keep my fingers crossed and will start publishing new posts as soon as I can.
Thank you for your patience.
Photographed 12 Sept. 2009, just south of Calitzdorp.
This is the smallest species in the genus. It was photographed on the Sutherland plateau (said to be the coldest area in South Africa) on 9 May 2012.
This species is common in western Bushmanland. Photographed 2 Sept. 2010.
These plants occur in the eastern part of the Little Karoo and just north of it. They may become up to a meter tall and have flowers about 4 cm across.
The habitat shot was taken 27 October 2012, north of Grahamstown. The close-up is of a cultivated plant
