Cerochlamys pachyphylla open capsule

The open, dry fruit capsule husk of Cerochlamys pachyphylla in picture tops a long stalk but not long enough for reaching the leaf-tips. The inner walls of the five locules are pale yellow-brown, appearing young enough to have recently still been holding seeds, unless there still are some present inside, ready to travel.

In habitat this plant may not have the benefit of any vegetation as immediate neighbours on the bare karoid land. The open ground is, however, well covered here in the Oudtshoorn veld, albeit only in stone.

Half-buried in loose stones is clearly not interfering with this plant’s wellbeing, showing only slight summer shrivelling of its leaves as rain has been scarce. Any natural ground cover for root protection and moisture retention will do, if the genetic make-up is right (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).