Chasmatophyllum musculinum

Chasmatophyllum musculinum is sometimes commonly called the yellow humbugfig, in Afrikaans known as the geelswaelstertvygie (yellow swallowtail mesemb) and earlier scientifically as Mesembryanthemum musculinum and Stomatium musculinum respectively at different times. It is the most frequently seen member of its genus of eight species in South Africa.

The compact, tufted, creeping plant expands its small ground-covering mat by thick underground rhizomes that root easily as they spread. Above-ground, the stems are short and somewhat woody, unlike the usually herbaceous stems common among its mesemb relatives. 

The species is widely distributed in South Africa, in all provinces excepting KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, although it is very common in the north of the Eastern Cape and the southern Free State. It is also found in some neighbouring countries, notably Lesotho and Namibia. The photo was taken near Hannover in the Northern Cape.

The habitat is semi-arid to arid scrub and grass, the plants often stunted in rocky places, but fair colonies thriving where conditions allow. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 1998; iNaturalist; iSpot; http://redlist.sanbi.org).