Othonna lepidocaulis in summer rest

Othonna lepidocaulis, the scaly othonna, is a stem succulent member of the Asteraceae family that grows near Vredendal and the Knersvlakte. The caudiciform stem is yellowish and branched with characteristic scale-like, markings where the leaves of previous seasons have dropped off.

Deciduous in summer, it grows new leaves with the onset of the winter rainy season when it also flowers. The flowers are small yellow daisies with narrow ray florets appearing in sprays on long stalks well above the leaves (www.redlist.sanbi.org; www.penroc.co.za).