Zygophyllum pygmaeum leaves

The stalkless grey-green leaves of Zygophyllum pygmaeum are each split into two finger-like leaflets. The twiggy shrublet grows to 30 cm in height; occasionally double that in favourable circumstances. It is found on semi-arid flats and slopes of the Great and Little Karoo.

The leaves taste better to game and stock than they may appear to humans. They are palatable and heavily browsed (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984).