Namaqualand is an arid area in northwest South Africa. Although it is a winter rainfall area, rainfall is sparse and the plants found in this area are not included in some of the books illustrating South African bulbs since it is not considered to be part of the Cape Floral province. For most of the year the land appears to be a desert and because it has an average annual rainfall of 50-400 mm it could be classified as such. But in a year with adequate rainfall it becomes alive with an amazing floral display of annuals, bulbs, dwarf shrubs, and succulents. Flowering usually occurs in August and September, but dry winds which halt the display can end it sooner. In a year with little rainfall there are few flowers. Summers are hot and dry but there is occasional fog since the ocean is not that far away. Photos on this page taken in Namaqualand. More information about the plants seen on this page can by found on the wiki genus pages. Links are included to make it easier to go directly to these pages. Species P through W, Pelargonium through Watsonia, are pictured below.
Pelargonium barklyi Photographed September 2006 in Namaqua National Park by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner. The leaves were protected below a shrub. And the flowers twined through the leaves and branches of the shrub.
Pelargonium incrassatum Photos taken in September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller.
Pelargonium triste These pictures taken by Mary Sue Ittner are of plants seen August 2001.
Romulea citrina habitat photos from Rod Saunders and Mary Sue Ittner. The last two taken in September 2006 show it growing in some wet spots.
Romulea kamisensis Photos taken on two different trips (2001, 2006) by Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller.
Romulea namaquensis photographed by Mary Sue Ittner in Namaqualand in 2001 growing with Lapeirousia silenoides.
Spiloxene ovata Photo was taken by Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Spiloxene scullyi Photos taken September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller.
Trachyandra falcata Photos taken by Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Tulbaghia dregeana Photos were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner in September 2006.
Watsonia meriana Photos taken by Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Namaqualand A-F - Namaqualand G-I - Namaqualand L-M - Namaqualand O - Namaqualand Index