Grielum humifusum sunbathing

Sprawling on sand in full sun as some nearly naked people are wont to do, Grielum humifusum uses the opportunity to produce spring flowers in great profusion.

Such a boisterous burst of energy in these conditions cannot last, as grey-haired wisdom would admonish exuberant revellers. These plants are annuals, growing only after good rains and doing their thing in one limited life season from first green to final wilt.

The prostrate herb grows branched stems up to 35 cm long. G. humifusum leaves are finely dissected into rounded lobes. White hairiness is found on the lower leaf surfaces (Williamson, 2010; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).