Conophytum jucundum subsp. jucundum

Conophytum jucundum subsp. jucundum is a dwarf leaf succulent that forms a dense to lax, circular clump. Each convex, round-topped succulent leaf body is divided by a short slit in its centre.

Pale grey stems looking gnarled and some forking, up to 5 cm long, are visible below the green tops. Old leaf debris tends to collect in circular ridges around these stems. The stems topped by leaf-bodies lengthen as new leaves replace the old ones in winter growth. Every new stem-tip leaf is temporarily protected under the dry skin of the last old leaf; a useful shield should there not be convenient shrub shade close by.

The subspecies distribution is in a part of the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape and over the Gariep River in southern Namibia. The habitat is arid desert, semi-desert and succulent Karoo vegetation among quartz and gneiss outcrops. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

This species used to be known as C. gratum, part of its varied forms also as C. gratum subsp. gratum (Williamson, 2010; www.llifle.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).