Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Common name: Living pebbles

Family: Aizoaceae (Fig-marigold)

Distribution: Cape Provinces

Life form: Cactus/succulent

Comments: During the rest period (the summer months in Europe) a new body forms inside the old, gradually taking all the substances from it until all that remains is the skin, which dries and protects the young plant from the heat of the sun and excess evaporation of water. The resting Conophytum protected by this dry cover resembles a pebble and hence the name 'living pebble'