Delosperma obtusum

Delosperma obtusum, commonly the mountain vygie and in Afrikaans the kransvygie (rock mesemb), is a prostrate leaf succulent reaching 5 cm in height. The spreading branches form small mats. Stems are about 1,5 mm thick, the internodes from 5 mm to 30 mm long, covered in small, crowded protuberances.

Apart from open flowers there are buds and green fruits also present on the plant in the photo.

The species distribution is in the eastern Free State, inland KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. The photo was taken near the Sani Pass.

The habitat is rocky outcrops in montane grassland up to elevations around 2350 m. The plant grows in full sun where temperatures become seasonally low. The habitat population is considered of least concern early in the twenty first century.

The plant is used horticulturally as a groundcover (Pooley, 1998; Smith, et al, 1998; iNaturalist; https://wildflowernursery.co.za; http://redlist.sanbi.org).