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Namaqualand's Succulent Karoo FloraSome 300 km north of Cape Town, the Olifants River reaches the sea. Stretching from here up South Africa's west coast and hinterland to the Orange River (the border with Namibia) and beyond, lies a near desert. This is the centre of the second of southern Africa's unique floras. The plants which have evolved to survive the harsh environment of Namaqualand and southern Namibia are unique, quite unlike the plants of any of the world's other deserts. Namaqualand is best known for its spectacular displays of massed spring annuals which delight visitors to the region and locals alike. But there is much more to this extraordinary vegetation; this is where a huge number of succulent leafed or succulent stemmed plants have evolved, including miniatures like the stone plants which are treasured by enthusiasts all over the world. Gazania krebsiana with a monkey beetle, Scelophysa militaris, Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa
Conophytum meyeri on the Oograbies Hills, Northern Cape, South Africa
A new species of Babiana, as yet unnamed, from the Knersvlakte, Western Cape, South Africa
Pachypodium namaquanum, the Halfmens. Near Pella, Northern Cape, South Africa
Spring daisies near Steinkopf, Northern Cape, South Africa
Aloe dichotoma, in the Richtersveld, Northern Cape, South Africa
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