Cleretum leaves

    Cleretum leaves
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Thabo Maphisa

    These leaves are thought to belong to one of the Cleretum species in the Aizoaceae family, many of which are known as ice plants, mesembs or carpet weeds. The photo was taken at Matjiesfontein near Nieuwoudtville during August when Namaqualand was in bloom, although not these plants.

    The stalked ovate leaves are thickly succulent, here erect and covered in numerous shiny bladder cells. Bladder cells are large epidermal cells visibly containing water stored for dry seasons rather than rainy days. Leaf colour is pale green, orange with cream and purple poorly represented. 

    The branches grow flat on the ground, producing many leaf more or less clustered, here densely to be forced into erect positions. Cleretum papulosum comes to mind but that is by no means certain (iNaturalist).

     

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