Erepsia lacera

Erepsia lacera, commonly referred to in Afrikaans as the Paarl roosvygie (Paarl rose mesemb), is an erect shrublet branching moderately and reaching 70 cm to 1 m in height.

The species joined its Erepsia brethren late, as its unusual appearance brought it earlier classification on its own in the genus Semnanthe. Both leaves and flowers of this Erepsia resemble Carpobrotus plants (in reduced size).

The species distribution is restricted to little more than the Paarl region, from Malmesbury to Stellenbosch. This photo was taken on the Paardeberg near Riebeek West. The habitat of this plant is shale slopes in renosterveld. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Smith, et al, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).