Schlechteranthus steenbokensis

Schlechteranthus steenbokensis, previously Polymita steenbokensis, is a dwarf mesemb. It grows woody roots and densely leaved branches hiding the stems, reaching heights from 15 cm to 40 cm.

Some Schlechteranthus plants were given the Afrikaans name of vleisbos (meat bush), referring to the dense cluster of short, succulent leaves.

The species distribution is extremely limited in the Port Nolloth region in the northeast of Namaqualand, near places with rarely heard names, Naroegas and Maerpoort.

The habitat is succulent Karoo on quartzite slopes at elevations from 200 m to 450 m that receive only a little winter rain. Although the plant is rare, it has a stable population and no known threats, therefore not considered threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Klak and Bruyns, 2016: Expansion of Schlechteranthus (Ruschioideae, Aizoaceae) to include Polymita, with a new species from Namaqualand, South Africa. SA Journal of Botany, 103(70-77); Smith, et al, 1998; Herre, 1971; http://redlist.sanbi.org).