Khadia beswickii

Khadia beswickii is a mat-forming succulent with branches that spread flatly on the ground. The plant has a large woody root-system. The long, grey-green leaves are notably angular; triangular in cross-section and tapering to acute tips. They grow in opposite pairs that succeed each other closely to form dense foliage. Faint spots occur on the leaf surfaces.

White or different shades of pink flowers with yellow central clusters of stamens and staminodes appear in summer and autumn. Flowers grow solitary at stem tips. Some records only mention white flowers. Flowers open in the morning, best on sunny days. Fruit capsules have five to eight locules, opening in wet weather once they are ripe.

The distribution of this plant is grassland and quartzite slopes in south-eastern Gauteng from Alberton to Nigel, where the species is endangered due to habitat loss. This photo was taken in the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden during May (Smith, et al, 1998; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com).