Glottiphyllum suave

Glottiphyllum suave is a compact, nearly stemless leaf succulent that grows clumps at ground level, in the wild about 10 cm in diameter, in cultivation sometimes bigger.

The species is endemic to the west of the Little Karoo and a little northwards into the Great Karoo as well, near Laingsburg. The photo was taken near Vanwyksdorp.

The habitat is sandy and loamy flats and minor slopes, the plants often among stones and sometimes in the shade of taller shrubs. The species is considered near threatened in its habitat, due to soil erosion, grazing and trampling by game, stock and ostrich farming.

The plant resembles G. carnosum found in the east of the Little Karoo (Frandsen, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://www.llifle.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).