Muraltia spinosa leafless

No leaves at all? This scantly flowering Muraltia spinosa plant in the Ceres Karoo has ample green stems but no leaves in sight.

The spring season is still young in September. The warming conditions are not yet harsh, shortly after the winter rain, although hot by day. Still, the plant is travelling light already, conditioned for a dry summer.

The leaf scars and dried out spines at stem-tips indicate experience of survival mode. Or maybe this one is just a pessimist!