Delosperma frantiskae-niederlovae

Delosperma frantiskae-niederlovae, previously Malotigena frantiskae-niederlovae was photographed in June near Mokhotlong in the north-east of Lesotho in high altitude grassland. The species is endemic to Lesotho, not a South African plant. 

The plant is a compact leaf succulent, a shrublet bearing creeping branches. The lanceolate leaves are triangular in cross-section near their tips caused by their distinct keels, tapering to acutely pointed tips. The leaves are opposite and paired, positioned erectly with short internodes on the trailing branches. Tiny hair-like projections grow along the angular leaf margins. Leaves become 2 cm long.

The winter flowers are yellow, subtended by five or six fleshy sepals. A yellow cone of staminodes, white at the base, forms the flower centre. The sepals with their pointed tips are still prominent around the globose fruit capsules in picture. Five or six locules with pinkish red, pointed valves top the capsules (iNaturalist; iSpot).