These plants, which may become up to 80 cm tall, are locally abundant from Worcester to Barrydale in the western Little Karoo and are often seen along roads.
The many flowers are about 5 cm across and usually flaming scarlet or red, although more subtle orangey colours also occur; they are present in late winter and spring (May-October).
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In the next post I will show you some more flowers, photographed in a somewhat different way.
Peersia is a genus of only 3 species. They used to be included in Rhinephyllum, but the leaves miss the rough surface which is typical for the latter genus. They have a strangely S-shaped distribution area from the northern tip of the Western Cape, southwards to near Touwsrivier and from there eastward to the western part of the Eastern Cape.
The flowering plants were photographed 3 Nov. 2012, northeast of Prince Albert, the other two 9 Jan 2006, north of Laingsburg.
These plants take their name from suricats, because of the upright position of the leaves. The pictures were all taken along the road from Aneysberg reserve to Laingsburg, between end of March and mid August.
Yesterday for the first time I took a serious walk in the Montagu Nature Garden. One of the interesting plants I came across is shown here. The first question when one comes across a plant looking like this is always: is it a Ruschia or is it an Antimima? Last years’ fruit pointed in the direction of Ruschia, so that is where I started. For me and -I suppose- most other people, reading dozens of plant descriptions is not a favourite pastime. After going through the specialized literature without any luck, I decided to turn to one of the most excellent fieldguides I know :”Plants of the Little Karoo” by Jan Vlok and his wife Anne Lise. As soon as I saw their picture of Ruschia lineolata I got the feeling that this was it. But of course one still has to check and double check and fortunately all the written information I found fitted in.
“Lineolata” means bearing fine lines, referring to the beautifully striped petals.
The plants form mats up to 1 m across and because of their abundant flowering this looks like a great garden subject in an appropriate climate.
This plant only occurs near Riethuis in Namaqualand, where it grows in saline quartz flats. Although locally common, the plants are often not easy to find.
Pictures taken 1 April 2012.
The genus Odontophorus (tooth bearing) contains just four species, all occurring in Namaqualand north and west of Springbok. This species is the only one in which -over time- long trailing branches rise from the compact centre.
Photographed 5 October 2011.
Here is an example of how knowing the meaning of the name actually may help to recognise the species. (Rhinephyllum = leaf like a file, referring to the rough surface of the leaves; graniforme = shaped like a grain). The genus occurs from Laingsburg in the Western Cape northeastwards to the southern tip of the Free State.
The flowers are rather special in the sense that they open only late in the afternoon or in the evening.
Photographed east of Prince Albert 3 Nov. 2012.
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.
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.
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.
