Didelta spinosa shrub

Didelta spinosa is an erect, branched shrub that catches the eye because of its lush, bright green leaves among generally greyer scrub veld of the habitat. Greyness is restricted to bare stem surfaces, pale on the dead branches persisting on the plant in picture. Young plant parts may be cobwebby.

D. spinosa is highly palatable, the small spines probably serving some purpose as deterrent for a bush so conspicuous to browsers in the veld; the future of the species is of least concern. In summer the dry leaves continue to be favoured by herbivores (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Manning and Goldblatt, 1997).