This stand of stressed Ursinia calenduliflora plants was encountered in the road reserve along the way from Springbok to Steinkopf during August.
Some other plants around displayed no problems with the living conditions, while the strain these plants experience is shown in purplish red leaf discoloration. In spite of this they continued to flower well. Fair quantities of seed will in all likelihood be set normally and all will be well as far as meeting life’s ambitions.
Similar situations occur among people complaining without palpable cause, more anticipating than experiencing hardship. Plants don’t share people’s luxury or risk of imagination for overcoming or complicating matters. Life without a mind may be hard but simple (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).