Cleretum papulosum

Cleretum papulosum, in Afrikaans commonly known as sandslaai (sand salad), is a trailing, dwarf succulent. The fast-growing annual has branched stems and fibrous roots.

There are two subspecies, viz. C. papulosum subsp. papulosum that is widespread in the west of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape, while subsp. schlechteri is found only in the Northern Cape. The subspecies differ in flower size and pedicel length, subsp. schlechteri being bigger in both respects.

The plants grow in arid to semi-arid conditions in the winter rainfall region on sandy or gravelly flats, often in disturbed patches. Neither subspecies is considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The Cleretum genus was suddenly expanded in 2012 when a more well-known mesemb genus, Dorotheanthus, was sunk into it on account of similarities (Williamson, 2010; Manning, 2009; Smith, et al, 1998; iNaturalist; https://enjoysucculents.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).