Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata

Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata, commonly known as the purple ghaap, is a low-growing, clump-forming stem succulent reaching heights between 15 cm and 45 cm. In spite of large clumps and strongly coloured flowers this is one of the less known hoodias.  

The plant branches low down to form a clump of thick stems similarly to other Hoodia species. The maroon flowers have a notable ring or annulus around the small central corona. The tiny papillae, fleshy protuberances with the same colour as the rest of the corolla scattered densely on the corolla surface add to the allure of the flowers. This plant is said to be the biggest of South African hoodias.

The subspecies distribution is in the Eastern Cape Karoo, from near Willowmore to Steytlerville and Graaff-Reinet. 

The habitat is succulent Karoo in arid and harsh scrub conditions. The habitat population is deemed vulnerable early in the twenty first century, due to the prospect of gas fracking in the Karoo, as well as population decline due to unknown causes. There are often several hundred meters between plants in nature (Smith, et al, 2017; iNaturalist; https://llifle.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).