Namaqualand Flowers

In terms of natural selection these flowers have been selected for their ability to survive and indeed multiply in a somewhat hostile environment.   Dry and hot and dusty for much of the year, they all bring out their delightful flowers in spring, to make the most of the short period before the drought once again settles in, to be pollinated and produce seed, which may lie inactive in the soil for many years.  It is difficult to believe that they bring forth their glory simply to attract bees and butterflies and other insects.

There are enormous stores of seed in the soil of the Richtersveld and Namaqualand.  These plants have adapted to remain inactive in the soil for many years, and only germinate when the conditions are right ... rain during mid-winter, and hopefully lasting through to springtime.  Many of these species have some sort of built in randomiser, so that in any one year only a small percentage of the seeds germinate.  If the initial winter rains do not follow through to the spring, then all is not lost ... there are many more seeds in reserve for the following years.  And when a good year comes, enormous quantities of seed are produced, renewing the reserves in the soil for future years. Different seeds germinate under different conditions of temperature and moisture, so the predominant flowers in each area will be different from year to year, depending on when the first rains fall.