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 were taken in Namaqualand. More information about the plants seen on this page can be found on the wiki genus pages. Links are included to make it easier to go directly to these pages. Species O, Ornithogalum through Oxalis, are pictured below.
Ornithogalum maculatum These first photos were taken September 2006 in Namaqua National Park by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner. Flowers seen in the morning mist were not yet open, but later in the day they were.
Ornithogalum multifolium These pictures were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner of a group seen in the middle of the day and illustrate the habitat as well as the flowers.
Southern African Ornithogalum Two
Ornithogalum polyphyllum Jacq. is found on stony slopes from Namaqualand to the cold Bokkeveld. Photos were taken by Cameron McMaster.
Ornithogalum pruinosum The first two photos by Bob Rutemoeller were taken in such a spot near Kamieskroon September 2006. The second two were taken by Andrew Harvie northwest of Steinkopf.
Ornithogalum xanthochlorum Photos 1-2 taken alongside the main road September 2006 by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner. Photo 3 taken September 2011 by Cameron McMaster.
Ornithoglossum spp Pictures below were taken by Andrew Harvie and Mary Sue Ittner of unidentified species in leaf and fruit.
Ornithoglossum undulatum is found on rocky sandstone and granite slopes from southern Namibia to Somerset East. The photo was taken by Cameron McMaster September 2011 near Knersvlakte.
Ornithoglossum vulgare is found on stony slopes from Western Africa to tropical Africa. Photos 1-3 were taken by Andrew Harvie northeast of Springbok. Photos 4-5 taken by Cameron McMaster near Carolusberg September 2011.
Oxalis adenodes has a large geographic distribution, mostly in Namaqualand, but also extending into Bushmanland. The photo was taken near Kamieskroon by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
Oxalis comosa is common in Namaqualand, from Kamieskroon in the south, extending beyond Concordia in the North found in rocky places, often in the shade. Photos were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Oxalis dregei is a small marsh plant that occurs from Namaqualand to Worcester where it can be abundant in wet sandy soils. The photo was taken by Bob Rutemoeller September 2006.
Oxalis furcillata is a short species found in Namaqualand. Photos from Alan Horstmann taken near Concordia, photographed in July.
Oxalis namaquana is usually found in moist places, but sometimes in open dry places. The first photo shows a mass blooming in a wet spot in a wet year (August 2001). The next two photos were taken September 2006. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Oxalis obtusa is common and widespread and found on sandy or clay soils from Namaqualand to Knysna. Photos were taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner September 2006.
Oxalis sonderiana is found on rocky sandstone slopes from Namaqualand to Graafwater. The photo below was taken near Springbok by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
Namaqualand A-F - Namaqualand G-I - Namaqualand L-M - Namaqualand P-Z - Namaqualand Index