Delosperma litorale

Look for the skaapvygie (Afrikaans for sheep mesemb), Delosperma litorale, close to the sea in the Western Cape and the western part of the Eastern Cape. It is well established among sandstone rocks in open sunny spaces where the soil is sandy, not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

Littoral literally means the zone between high tide and low tide, the land that is under water for some hours daily. This is not where skaapvygies grow. They are close to the water, though. Just above, on permanently dry land (apart from the salt spray brought on when the wind blows). The term then also refers to this strip of ground where the land plants are found in closest proximity to the sea.

The elements will rough it up, painting a bright pink over the leaves, even causing some branches to die off. The feet of passersby seeking out open patches free from tall shrubs don’t help either. Recovery is quick, however, shown in healthy succulent leaves on spreading new branches, weather permitting (Manning, 2007; Smith, et al, 1998; www.redlist.sanbi.org).