Ifloga glomerata leaves

The simple leaves of Ifloga glomerata grow densely around the cylindrical stems, living up to their naaldebos (needles bush) common name. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate to linear, ending in acutely pointed tips. The slightly hairy blades have entire margins. Leaf dimensions are from 5 mm to 10 mm long and about 2 mm wide.

Stock and game pass them by. Although the young leaves are green after rain and the plant is commonly known as a bekvol (mouthful) due to its small size, the leaves are shunned as unpalatable.

And so the dead annuals remain standing as stokmannetjies (little stick men) for long after they die, while the animals find food elsewhere (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).