Conophytum marginatum subsp. karamoepense

Conophytum marginatum subsp. karamoepense is quite a formidable name for such a small dwarf succulent that grows in a remote area of Namaqualand. This plant was photographed during April on the road between Springbok and Aggeneys, where such big names are not often heard. Clearly the rain has also not reached here yet, by the time the photographer arrived. This can be deduced from the wrinkled old leaf husks still covering the developing new leaves.

When these new leaves push their way through the (by then) redundant protective cover in a couple of months, they will show a Y-shaped leaf-pair. Tiny, scattered spots cover their pale green surfaces. Flowering comes when temperatures start to drop in autumn. The leaves multiply after that if winter rains allow.

The plentiful cluster of anthers protruding in the centre above the petals is ready for being touched by any visiting pollinators (iSpot; www.llifle.com).