Carissa bispinosa hosting a Crassula and a Cynanchum

This Carissa bispinosa bush seen in the Kammanassie hosts a couple of scrambling succulents.

Karoo and Little Karoo succulents are often stemless or low-growing, semi-hidden under tall shrubs as if in protective custody, especially when the shrubs bear arms in the form of thorns.

These two, Crassula perforata and Cynanchum viminale, previously Sarcostemma viminale, have long stems that can seek the sun through the branches of their host. Without support their stems would not be sustainably erect, so leaned upon neighbouring plants allow them tall plant luxuries.

The Crassula has paired leaves fused at the base only on young upper stem parts, while the Cynanchum has no leaves at all, a stem succulent. The Carissa has forked spines and bears edible fruit (Smith, et al, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015).