Esterhuysenia drepanophylla making progress

This small Esterhuysenia drepanophylla plant will, if it fares well in life, branch and spread, forming a compact mat reaching at least 5 cm in height, rarely more than 10 cm.

Up here in its Tulbagh mountain abode it is temperature extremes and moisture availability, being eaten or trampled by animals that count among the main challenges it faces. The guy with the camera is in its experience less fearsome than the one wielding the digging tool. But both of them often miss the plants they’re looking for altogether… funny creatures!