Trichodiadema obliquum trying snake camouflage

Trichodiadema obliquum is a branched leaf succulent of the vygie family growing to 11 cm in height. The trailing branches of the plant become longer than the erect ones.

The small pink flowers are borne solitary on short stalks. Petals are narrow, spread in one whorl, said to open in the afternoon. The stamens and staminodes form a cone in the flower centre, yellow from the anthers on top. Each flower has five stigmas.

Note the reptilian appearance given to the dry leaf remains by the large surface cells. Each bladder cell shares margins with five or six other cells.

T. obliquum is a South African endemic of the Western Cape, found inland in the Great Karoo around Beaufort West and southwards into the Little Karoo, growing exposed in rocky places. This one was seen near Oudtshoorn in April when not flowering (Smith, et al, 1998; Hartmann, et al, 2002, Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants).