Marlothistella stenophylla

Marlothistella stenophylla, sometimes called grasvygie (grass mesemb) in Afrikaans and previously scientifically Mesembryanthemum stenophyllum and Ruschia stenophylla at different times, is a mat-forming leaf succulent growing from a large rootstock. The plants sometimes die down annually in summer and resprout. The roots resemble a series of carrots or turnips sprouting from the same point.

The variable, finger-like leaves are long and thin, from nearly cylindrical to flat or channelled on top. Leaf dimensions are about 5 cm long and 3 mm wide.

The flowers, born solitary at stem-tips, are coloured in shades of pinkish purple or magenta with a darker central petal lines. The stamens are bunched erectly in the flower centre. Flower diameter is up to 3,5 cm. Flowering happens in winter, from before midwinter.

The fruit capsules have five locules, stiff covering membranes and large closing bodies. The seeds are rounded and rough-surfaced.

The species distribution is inland in the east of the Western Cape in the Little Karoo from Calitzdorp to Joubertina in the Eastern Cape.

The habitat is open flats and slopes among grass and thorny scrub, sometimes in quartzite. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The plants are grown in containers in full sun with low watering, propagated by seed or division (Smith, et al, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; https://llifle.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).