The ever impressive Petalidium canescens always turns up in the most inhospitable of environments. I’m surprised it hasn’t reached the top of a tepui yet (well, not really). Here it is germinating in sun-fired roadside clay, in an environment so dry that it hurts to breathe–I am not kidding. This is a species to respect.

Petalidium canescens is emblematic of Damaraland in east-central Namibia. Very nice farmers have welcomed us onto their property to learn more about the natural history of this species.

Salute!

Wild collected, Namibia, Tripp & Dexter #882 (RSA-POM); Photo by Erin Tripp