Zygophyllum leptopetalum

Zygophyllum leptopetalum is a semi-deciduous, much-branched shrub growing a rounded shape to heights around 1 m.

The white to cream, five-petalled flowers grow solitary or in pairs from leaf axils. There is usually a small maroon blotch or at least maroon veins near the base of the petal. The petals are spoon-shaped with rounded to slightly pointed tips. The flower is about 1,5 cm in diameter. Flowering is associated with rain, occurring in winter and early spring.

The specific name, leptopetalum, is derived from the Greek words leptos meaning slender or thin and petalon meaning thin plate, referring to the petal shape. 

The species is distributed in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape from the Knersvlakte to the Richtersveld and the extreme south of Namibia near the Gariep River.

The habitat is arid to semi-arid winter rainfall flats and slopes among rocks and stones. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Mannheimer and Curtis, (Eds.), 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; https.redlist.sanbi.org).