Delosperma calitzdorpense

Delosperma calitzdorpense, the Calitzdorp sheepfig, is a much-branched, sprawling shrublet reaching about 25 cm in height. In picture the habitat plant shows the signs of drought-related hardship. Only few leaves are remaining at the stem-tips, the grey, woody stems lower down bare and gnarled.

The species is endemic to the Little Karoo, known only from the Calitzdorp area where the photo was taken.

The habitat is Gamka thicket where the plants grow on lower slopes and valley floors in deep shale and gravelly soils. The species, already reduced by more than halving of its population in nature, is considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century. This is due to crop cultivation but particularly degradation from ostrich farming (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Smith, et al, 1998; http://redlist.sanbi.org).