Drosanthemum archeri near Oudtshoorn

Drosanthemum archeri is a prostrate vygie or mesemb bearing white-centred pinkish purple flowers in early spring. The shrublet grows stems up to 25 cm long. Drosos (Greek) means dew, referring to the shiny leaf cells.

The plant is found in the Karoo, notably the Tankwa Karoo and the Little Karoo. The habitat is typically grows on flat, open ground. This may be one of the less common, even rare species, but is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Smith, et al, 1998; www.redlist.sanbi.org).