Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii

Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii, in Afrikaans commonly known as duikerballetjies (little duiker (antelope) droppings or balls), is a sprawling succulent perennial that grows an annual flower stalk to 20 cm.

The long, narrow flowers have brownish green cylindrical tubes with small pink corolla lobes flaring at the mouth. In this photo taken in April only their dry remains, brown, twisted and well spaced along the erect flower stalk are shown. Flowering happens in summer.

The plant is found on stony slopes from Namaqualand in the Northern Cape through the succulent Karoo and Little Karoo to arid parts of the Eastern Cape. This plant was seen southwest of Oudtshoorn. The plant population is stable in habitat, not considered threatened early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org).