Conophytum peersii (Toorwaterpoort)

Commonly known as the "Witberg button" due to the shape of its small bodies, this species tends to grow in large cushions with multiple ovoid heads, roundish at the apex, where the two leaves are separated only by a marked central fissure. The epidermis is green-greyish, opaque and enriched by small dark green dots; with prolonged exposure to the sun C. peersii assumes wonderful reddish shades. Like all the species belonging to the genus Conophytum, it is amazing to notice its extreme adaptability: in fact, this miniature succulent tends to store remarkable quantities of water in its massive leaves, to be exploited during the drought periods; is also able to reduce its volume and hide in the ground when it is in lack of water supply! From the central fissure, in autumn wonderful flowers bloom, on the notes of cream white, which unusually tend to only come out at night and emanate really intense aromas.