This post and the next two in this series are devoted to striking examples of plants that have evolved/adapted to survive in the least-rainy part of the Namib Desert.
The featured image’s stark centre of attention is (I am almost sure) a particularly hardy member of the geranium family.
It is probably one of the “Sarcocaulons” – members of what was formerly the generally-recognised genus Sarcocaulon.
Since 1996 these plants are usually numbered as members of the genus Monsonia.
One species – which may or may not be the one pictured above – contains a highly flammable resin which persists even when the plant is “dead”…or “dead”-ish.
(some of the local plants can appear “utterly lifeless”, but suddenly burst into very-evident life when rains or floodwaters arrive)
That species is commonly known as “Bushman’s candle”; it has for many thousands of years been prized as kindling.
Click here for an overview of Sarcocaulon species; some grow beautiful flowers, as you can see in this image gallery.
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