Hermannia pinnata spreading across the sand

This picture gives an idea of the ground covering mat that this creeping doll’s rose may create. Not gaining height much beyond 15 cm, the branches and foliage of Hermannia pinnata cover sandy ground in their west coast habitat well, leaving little opportunity for plants of the less robust kind to peep through.

Many flowers were found nodding over the green of this plant in August in the West Coast National Park. Blooming normally starts late in winter, lasting until midspring (Manning, 2007; www.plantzafrica.com).