Albuca flowering near Concordia

Namaqualand has low, but fairly reliable soft winter rain. This ecological asset has brought remarkable plant diversity to the region. This is especially true as far as geophytes, including bulbous plants are concerned. Geophytes are plants with fleshy storage organs for water and nutrient. Some of them are bulbs, positioned underground or peeking out partly. Namaqualand and the Richtersveld are semi-desert regions renowned for their interesting plant life.

Albuca species such as A. altissima, A. cooperi and A. spiralis grow in Namaqualand. These and several others like A. etesiogariepenis, A. foetida, A. setosa and A. viscosa grow in the Richtersveld.

The plant in picture seen near Concordia in September managed to produce two flower stalks for the season. It is a privileged citizen, having partial shade, hidden behind this huge rock for a few hours every day (Williamson, 2010; Cowling and Pierce, 1999).