Conophytum truncatum subsp. truncatum bearing up

Before the winter rains arrive stress builds in the leaves of Conophytum truncatum subsp. truncatum from summer heat. Remains of old leaf skins tend to collect around the fleshy pink-purple sides of the leaf, less able to depart or slower to do so than the skin bits from the leaf tops.

This plant seen in April has not had the benefit of much early winter rain yet. Conophytum plants do not grow in parts of the Great Karoo where it rains predominantly in summer. Leaf bodies expand as they accumulate moisture, the plant also adding more bodies during each successful growing season. Although it has started flowering, all is not well yet; maybe in a month’s time?