Aptosimum indivisum

Aptosimum indivisum is a dwarf shrublet of about 7 cm with alternate, obovate leaves attenuating into long petioles and sharp pointed tips. It has been called the Karooviooltjie in Afrikaans (Karoo violet) and also brandbossie (burn bushlet) on account of it serving to treat sunburn.

The tubular flower, white in the throat, ends in five rounded corolla lobes, light blue or purple in colour, with darker marks at the base of each lobe. The four stamens occur in dissimilar pairs. The plants bloom in spring, also after good rain in any season.

These plants are sometimes found on disturbed land in clay or loam soil, occurring throughout the Karoo, Little Karoo and Namaqualand. The plant grows a strong, woody taproot and is difficult to transplant. It is grazed by livestock and tortoises (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2007).