Cheiridopsis pillansii making it in the Richtersveld

Clearly coping in its trying living conditions, the well-established Cheiridopsis pillansii plant has formed a low dome or cushion. It consists of many short branches, healthy leaves and the fruits of past flower in numerous dry capsules. The plants become about 5 cm to 8 cm high, the capsules having 10 to 13 locules. The seeds have brought proliferation of the plants, showing spirit amidst threats of global warming.

The leaf-pairs are joined for nearly half their length, the upper surfaces are really inner surfaces, as the wide flanks of the keels are the most exposed ones facing the elements, importantly the sun for photosynthesis. Whitish grey more than green, the succulent Cheiridopsis leaves compete strongly for the title of greenest in their neighbourhood when the photo was taken (Grenier, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).