Holothrix secunda

The distribution of Holothrix secunda is widespread from the Richtersveld, Namaqualand, the Gifberg and Robertson to the Little Karoo. Some are seen elsewhere in the Karoo and a few in the higher rainfall southerly region around Swellendam to Bredasdorp.

Various soil types occur in this wide area, derived from sandstone, shale, granite and more. The main habitat is rocky slopes and plateaux of the semi-arid winter rainfall region. The plants in picture were found in renosterveld near Barrydale, hiding under scrub in semi-shade, a common place to find them in nature.

The species is considered to have a stable population in nature early in the twenty first century (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; www.redlist.sanbi.org).