GROENEFONTEIN

Please note: Due to the increase in illegal succulent plant trade, the succulent trail is only accessible with a guide, who will share expert knowledge on the veld with you. Prior booking necessary.

The traditional names of most of these succulents are in Afrikaans. To enlighten you on the very descriptive (and often humourous) nature of each name, a direct translation has been provided.

1. Bobbejaankos (Baboon food) – Augea capensis
Indigenous people insulted each other by referring to this plant as the other persons daily food. During drought, baboons dig up the roots of this plant for food. The leaves have a salty flavour. The presence of Augea also indicates a previous disturbance to natural veld, eg. over grazing.

2. Blomkoolganna (Cauliflower ganna) – Salsola tuberculata
Salsola is Italian for salty and tuberca/oto means warty in Latin. Thus, the salty warty bush! Steenbofe

3. Skilpadkos (Tortoise food) – Glottiphyllum regium
The largest of all Glottiphyllum, this species is a Little Karoo endemic. It is found among quartzitic sandstone gravels.

4. Soetgombos (Sweet gum bush) – Pteronia inflexa
This bush is browsed by herbivores.

5. Bababoutjies (Babies’ bums) – Gibbaeum heathii
These are confined to areas with light coloured quartzitic gravels. It was one of Leslie Hill’s favourite plants.

6. Kleinplakkie (Small plakkie) – Adromischus triflorus
The fleshy leaves have beautiful markings and this plant often grows in amongst other bushes.

7. Gansmis (Goose dung) – Avonia papyracea
An edible plant which was traditionally used to induce the fermentation of homebrewed beer!

8. Hondepisbos (Dog-wee bush) – Zygophyllum retrofractum
Zygophyllum refers to the leaf structure consisting of two leaves which appear to be fused together at the base. The bush supposedly smells of dog wee!

9. Slaapvygie (Sleep [small] mesem) – Hereroa tenuifolia
Pollinated by moths, the scented flowers open at night.

10. Akkedisvel (Lizard skin) – Crassula tecta
This plant represents the characteristic stone-like plants of the Little Karoo.

11. Boesmanskers (Bushman’s candle) – Monsonia crassicaule
The bark has a waxy texture and is flammable. The stems were used traditionally as candles.

12. Scholtzbos/Armoedsbos (Poor man’s bush) – Pteronia pallens
This plant is not browsed by herbivores, hence the name “Poor man’s bush”. By creating shade as well as the prevention of trampling and browsing it acts as a ‘nurse’ plant to many dwarf succulents.

13. Sterretjiebos (Little star bush) – Tylecodon reticulatus
The calyx of the flower does not fall off when the flower dries out. Rather, it remains loosely attached to the flower stem where it moves up and down in the wind. This is believed to be the plants defence mechanism against caterpillars which might come and feed on the edible leaves. It is thought that these moving objects resemble ants and therefore the caterpillars, which are eaten by ants, leave the tasty leaves alone.

14. Haasballetjies (Hare’s balls) – Anacampseros albidiflora
Is it a plant? The leaves are covered in fine hairs and are eaten by herbivores.

15. Geelgranaat (Yellow pomegranate) – Rhigozum obovatum
The tasty leaves and pods are eaten by browsers. After the rain, the yellow flowers are conspicuous in the veld.

16. Sosatiebos (Kebab bush) – Crassula rupestris
The leaf arrangement of certain plants in this family resemble bits of food on a skewer, like a kebab (or sosatie). The leaves of this plant were strung decoratively by the Khoi San during rituals.

17. Spekboom (Bacon tree) – Portulacaria afra
Although slightly acidic, the fleshy leaves can be eaten raw when hungry or thirsty. The plant is believed to promote lactation in breastfeeding mothers. Also valued as stock feed.

18. Dikvoet (Thick foot) – Pachypodium succulentum
The name refers to the big underground stem which is edible and was an important part of the San diet.

19. Karooviooltjie (Karoo violet) – Aptosimum indivisum
When flowering, these small, beautiful plants are a treat to behold in this harsh environment.

20. Melkbos (Milk bush) – Euphorbia sp.
The milky latex, found in the stem, is known to be poisonous and to cause blindness in humans. Indigenous herbivores browse lightly on this plant as a natural control against parasites.

Source: Cape Nature