Sunday, June 10, 2012

Amazing Lithops Collection

On returning to the desert a few days ago, I stopped at the recently opened Alte Kalköfen Lodge on the Keetmanshoop - Aus Road.

Besides other curiosities which I'll write about in another Post, I was delighted to discover that the owner, Frikkie, has a Lithops collection in a nursery called the "Cole Lithoparium".



Lithops is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa.

The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words λίθος (lithos), meaning "stone," and ὄψ (ops), meaning "face," referring to the stone-like appearance of the plants.



Frikkie, a registered collector, has a stunning selection of these small thumbnail-sized plants which occur in the arid western areas of Namibia and South Africa.

I was so engrossed in taking pics that I missed a lot of what he was saying but, from what I could gather, he has examples of every known Lithops species. A reference says that he has the best collection of Lithops in Namibia but I think that this is possibly the best (most comprehensive) collection in the world.

I believe too, that he has discovered one or two species himself - I'll pay more attention when I visit again.



Lithops are also known as "Living Stones" and "Baba Boudjies" (Baby Bums) or "Beeskloutjies" (Cattle Hooves) in Afrikaans.


Besides Lithops, Frikkie also has other rare succulent species from this Region in his collection.


Another amazing desert plant.

I only have a 300mm zoom lens and was unable to really do justice to the beauty of these plants.



Individual Lithops plants consist of one or more pairs of bulbous, almost fused leaves opposite to each other and hardly any stem. The slit between the leaves contains the meristem and produces flowers and new leaves.





I had to smile - this variety is nicknamed "Hotlips" - you can see why from the plant without a flower.


A moss-like growth of tiny individual Lithops plants, many with small yellow flowers.





The most startling adaptation of Lithops is the colouring of the leaves. The leaves are not green as in almost all higher plants, but various shades of cream, grey, and brown, patterned with darker windowed areas, dots, and red lines. The markings on the top surface disguise the plant in its surroundings.


There are some better images of Living Stones on this related post.


References:
Wikipedia
Alte Kalköfen Lodge


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29 comments:

  1. Fascinating, I have seen photos of these plants but I do not remember ever seeing them. I did not realise that they flowered and what beautiful flowers they are. You were lucky to see such a great collection, I am quite jealous. Love the Hotlips :-) Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane - Alte Kalkoven is on a route I often take and I'll spend some more time there for sure ... hope I'll get better pics and listen more carefully ... :)

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  2. I think your photos came out fine Graham.
    What beautiful and fascinating little plants they are.
    I was first introduced to them by a guide in the Richtersveld - would never have found them by myself - they are so well disguised....
    Thanks for posting about them.
    I look forward to seeing more after you visit Alte Kalkoven again.
    Sue

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    1. Thanks Sue - yes, I also found a patch of Lithops during my last visit to the Richtersveld ... by accident - what a thrill it was to find them.

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  3. Hi Graham,

    in that last photo, the Lithop leaves look like thumbs with the tips diced off, interesting plants and the pics are great

    I am reading Game of Thrones when I came across the name " Gunther son of Gurn of the Stone crows "

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    1. Hey Monica - these plants must be seen to be believed ...

      "Gunther son of Gurn of the Stone crows" --- hehe I Love that ... now I must read the book ... :) ... science fantasy I presume?

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  4. yes they are, I don't usually read that genre, but they are a good read .

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    1. Thanks Monica ... I'll track it down just to find out about the Stone Crows ... :)

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  5. Nature is indeeed amazing--I had never heard of lithops!!

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    1. Amazing indeed Fran - I didn't know about them either until a few years ago when I started visiting the desert regularly - they're so cute one just wants to love them ...

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  6. Every niche has it's plant or animal.

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    1. Yes indeed Phillip - they've even found life thriving in the most inhospitable depths of the ocean ...

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  7. Hi Graham .. I loved these - the detail you've given us is just great - I like the Giants' Causeway lot .. quite incredible and with such wonderful colours .. hotlips .. now my mind will wander back here.

    I'd read about them and wrote about them in a letter home back in 1988 .. I still have a detailed 14 page letter!!

    I do so love being taken back to Africa with you .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary - it's satisfying to know that my posts bring back good memories for you ...

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  8. First time I've heard of these strange flowers. You wrote "thumbnail sized" so that small for a flower. Are the stone looking parts like a mushroom in texture? Do you know if they are eaten by animals.

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    1. Yes, I guess you could say they have a mushroom texture Bill, but perhaps a bit firmer ... I assume they are browsed by animals because, according to a source, they disguise themselves as stones to prevent them being eaten.

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  9. Wow! Your photos really do justice to this unique succulent which I've never seen before. They really are beautiful and do look like stones.

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  10. Love this post Graham. I am hoping to find some on my travels from September onwards. It always amazes me to see plants like this have flowers.

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    1. Thanks Joan - let me know if you'll be in Southern Namibia - there's a room and bed for you here ...

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  11. Thanks Graham, that is very kind of you. I will be in touch when I am in your area although my plans right now do not have any time limits so I am not sure when it will be.

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    1. ... I find that's the best way to travel ... a general idea of where I want to go but no time restrictions ...

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  12. Beautiful. I am in love with these plants. I would definitely attempt to grow them if I could.

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    1. Yes, they're gorgeous hey Calvin - they're a protected species and I don't know what the laws are regarding cultivating them ...

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  13. I have to agree with you Graham. I have never made fixed plans for any trip and for me, traveling alone is another great part of it. Maybe I am just selfish? :)I like to stay as long as I want at places (or just pass by), get up and go when I want and camp for the night wherever I find myself. It is difficult finding a traveling companion who thinks like this.

    What a wonderful life!!! :)

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  14. SO fascinating! Those pictures are gorgeous :0)

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    1. Thanks for your visit and comment Elisa ... :)

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  15. I have never heard of these amazing flowers that do look like living stones. And your pictures are gorgeous, they really do them justice.
    Thank you for that beautiful desert quote you left on my blog. It is so true. I will mention your blog and what you find on the side of the road once again in the second installment of my desert road trip. It relates to one interesting thing at least that sits in our desert.

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