Gloveria integrifolia

Many robust spines defend Gloveria integrifolia against physical violation. Attacks are most likely to come from browsers, although there is also the occasional destructive lout.

In habitat drought may be a more serious adversary, although a bedraggled summer appearance divulges nothing about the vital asset of a deep taproot. Access to the receding water table, deep down in summer, assures survival for so much longer (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002).