Conophytum wettsteinii leaves bursting from old leaf husks

Conophytum wettsteinii flowers in winter and early spring in Namaqualand, sometimes autumn and part of winter. This is the fashionable blooming season for local flowering plants triggered by rain. A concerted carnival delighting insects, birds and people alike with unrivalled colour display and exuberant growth.

Recurring celebratory events for marking the completion of tough seasonal assignments do much for many living things, not only people! In Namaqualand the main challenge for all that lives here, is the long and arduous contrasting summer phase of climatic hardship (www.cactus-art.biz; Smith, et al, 1998).