Trichodiadema imitans

Trichodiadema imitans is a low-growing, sprawling shrublet becoming 15 cm tall when unassisted by neighbouring vegetation; otherwise it may scramble to slightly greater heights.

This species does not wear the tiny bristle-hair diadems at its leaf-tips (or tops), the hallmark of the Trichodiadema genus of 34 species. All of them live in nature somewhere in southern Africa. The specific name, imitans, may refer to the possibility of impostor status of this “diadem-less” plant in its current genus.

Cylinder, barrel and club-shapes are all represented among the thickly succulent leaves in the photo, like spectator shapes at a sports event. These leaves grow opposite in pairs, slightly attached to each other at the base. Leaf dimensions are about 15 mm long and 3 mm in diameter.

The large, glistening bladder cells covering the leaf surfaces convey an inviting sugar-candy appearance, of possible interest to the visiting ants in picture. The leaf-tips are rounded, mostly yellow to orange in colour while the lower leaf parts are greener. These leaves are eagerly browsed in the veld.

The species distribution is in the western part of the Little Karoo where the plants grow in rocky and sandy soils. Although not common, the species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Smith, et al, 1998; www.redlist.sanbi.org).