Oophytum nanum

Oophytum nanum is a dwarf leaf succulent in the Aizoaceae or mesemb family, growing small clumps of ground-level, stemless, paired leaf bodies and reaching up to 3 cm in height.

The specific name, nanum, is derived from the Latin word nanus meaning dwarf.

The leaf-like sepals protrude around the corolla bases, directly from the slits in the leaf bodies that are olive green in picture.

The species distribution is restricted to part of the Knersvlakte north of Vanrhynsdorp in the far northwest of the Western Cape.

The habitat is mostly open terrain covered in quartzite pebbles over loamy soil that receives low winter rain. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Grenier, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; Le Roux, et al, 2005; Smith, et al, 1998; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).