Glottiphyllum carnosum

Glottiphyllum carnosum is a compact, prostrate, leaf succulent that forms clumps.

The leaves are variably shaped, sometimes flat and thick, oblong with rounded tips. Leaf colour is blue-green to yellow-green with smooth surface texture. Leaves become about 2,5 cm wide. The opposite leaves are nearly equal in size. Variable indents, twists or skewness in shape are found on usually only one of the leaf margins.

Yellow vygie-type flowers emerge from between the leaves. Petals spread to a flower diameter of 2,5 cm. Flowering happens in late autumn and winter.

This species is endemic to the eastern parts of the Little Karoo from Calitzdorp eastwards. The plant in the photo was seen near Oudtshoorn. 

The habitat is gravel flats and stony slopes in sandy or loam soils. The species is considered to be endangered in its habitat early in the twenty first century, due to habitat degradation from ostrich farming (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; www.llifle.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).