Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Glottiphyllum

Family: Aizoaceae (Vygie)

Distribution: Western Cape, Ceres to Uniondale

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Succulent plant

Comments: It grows in the Little Karoo in semi-arid winter rainfall veld, often close to shrubs that provide partial shade. Glottiphyllum capsules are hygrochastic, an intriguing mechanism whereby seeds are dispersed by raindrops. When it rains, the keels of the wet seed capsules push open valves. Raindrops hitting the open seed capsule splatter seeds in different directions, thus ensuring recruitment and the subsequent survival of the species.