Aloe gariepensis in winter grass

The yellow flowering form of Aloe gariepensis is maybe not as favoured as the red one, but it is common and in this dry grass environment of Keimoes in September, it charms. The last rain is clearly long forgotten history here. The grass will only turn green next autumn again, when this area receives the bulk of its rain. The average annual rainfall is only 84 mm; so much for bulk!

Plants of this habitat are adapted for the long wait commonly required in their desolate land. The grasses, like the Aloe are often perennials here. Grass will sprout vigorously in quick response to any libation that might descend, living a very different life to an Aloe that has moisture in the bank of its succulent leaves. These A. gariepensis flowers normally appear between midwinter and early spring, when this land is parched. 

The preparations for the flowering of annual herbaceous plants are in place. The seeds are already deposited from crops of the last few years. The excitement for the grassland is more hope than expectation… it will come, one of these years (Frandsen, 2017; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; iNaturalist; www.saexplorer.co.za).