Macledium spinosum

Macledium spinosum shrubs, sometimes called spikeflowers, live in comparative comfort in sometimes trying conditions of its Little Karoo habitat that often consists of stony and partly bare flats and lower slopes.

Its compact growth habit of many branches ending in persistent floral spines augmented by one or a few marginal leaf spines enables it to fend for itself successfully. The neighbouring mesembs and small succulents bear more risk of being trampled.

Lucky is the small plant that started life in the shade of this freely shared and readily used weaponry. The snake needing the shade occasionally will add to defence effectiveness, but hired help cannot be trusted to remain on duty when one needs it (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).