Erepsia bracteata

Erepsia bracteata, commonly known as the bract spoonfig and scientifically previously as E. racemosa and E. radiata at different times, is a low-growing shrublet that branches sparsely from the base. It probably grows to heights around 30 cm, the rounded plant probably spreading to around 45 cm. The stems become 2 mm to 4 mm in diameter.

The succulent, opposite leaves are triangular in cross-section, slightly fused at the base, sometimes bulging in the centre and tapering to pointed tips that curve outwards. The leaf surfaces are covered in glassy, translucent dots that let light into the succulent leaf body.

The species distribution is in the far southwest of the Western Cape from Clanwilliam to Walker Bay and Swellendam. The photo was taken in Fernkloof.

The habitat is rocky sandstone slopes. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Herre, 1971; Andrew, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).