Crassothonna capensis leaves

Seen close up, the sharp-tipped and barrel-shaped leaves of Crassothonna capensis offer their own colour feast in the absence of the yellow flowers. The spreading mat of ample succulence is worth nurturing in a sunny garden patch.

Whether baboons eat the bobbejaankool (baboon cabbage) is not known. The drought hardy plant is a survivor, said to even invade under certain warm climate conditions. The plant is naturalised in Algeria and Tunisia.

This June photo is from the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg (http://kumbulanursery.co.za; http://www.llifle.com).