Rhigozum obovatum in flower

Rhigozum obovatum (SA Tree List No. 675), the Karoo rhigozum or in Afrikaans the geelberggranaat (yellow mountain pomegranate), reaches heights from 1 m to 4,5 m. The plant may remain small in the veld from heavy browsing by appreciative livestock and game. It is the newest growth at the tips, leaves and soft young branches that have to be replaced by the patient, magnanimous or long-suffering plant.

In flower, R. obovatum gives some of the most outstanding colour displays seen after rain in these grey-green Great Karoo and Little Karoo parts (Coates Palgrave, 2002).