Tielman Haumann (1968 matric class)
The small succulent plants called Beeskloutjies or Flowering Stones consist of about fifty species of similar pebble-like plants grouped under the genus Lithops. This name is derived from the Greek words lithos (stone) and opsis (face like). Lithops is one of 123 genera that fits into the family Mesembryanthemaceae. The Afrikaans common family name Vygie(s) is now accepted in many parts of the world to refer to the Mesemb family of succulent plants.
The distribution of Lithops is restricted to South Africa and Namibia, with a few outliers in Botswana. Most species are found in the drainage basin of the Vaal and the Orange rivers, and their respective tributaries. William Burchell ‘discovered’ the first Lithops in 1811 near Prieska, when he picked up an interesting pebble and found it was a plant. Since then there has been considerable European, Japanese and American interest in this amazing genus. Overseas Lithops are generally grown from seed and are often kept indoors. However, these plants are not popular in our outdoor gardens in South Africa, possibly because few plants survive when poached from the veld. It is a general rule amongst ‘Lithopariums’ that they will only collect seed capsules, and never living plants, from the wild. The seed ripens about 9 months after flowering.
Stellenbosch played a role in research on Lithops:
Dr Gert Cornelius Nel (1885-1950), who studied at the Victoria College in Stellenbosch and later in Europe (Ph.D. in chemistry from Berlin University in 1914), returned to the Orange Free State, and eventually became the Professor of Botany at Stellenbosch in 1921. He worked closely with Dr Hans Herre (curator of the Stellenbosch Botanical Garden, where Lithops can still be viewed today) and published the first illustrated book on Lithops in 1946. Dr James Lückhoff, who lived in Alexandra Avenue (my street!) in Oranjezicht, wrote a tribute in this book that reads:
“For me there is something very attractive in Lithops. Its adaptation is very peculiar and where it grows is so attractive, that a search for Lithops is always enveloped in an atmosphere of adventure…”
En dit nimlike Vriende, is hoekom ek van die 1968-reünie moes wegsluip om die meegaande foto in die blomtyd in die Tankwa Karoo vir julle te gaan haal!
References:
Nel, G.C. (1946) Lithops. University Press, Stellenbosch.*
Cole, Desmond & Naureen (1988): Lithops – Flowering Stones. Acorn Books, Randburg.
Van Jaarsveld, Ernst, et al (1998): Mesembs of the World. Briza, Pretoria.
Hammer, Steven (1999): Lithops, Treasures of the Veld. British Cactus and Succulent Society.
Van Jaarsveld, Ernst, et al (2000): Vetplante van Suid-Afrika. Tafelberg, Kaapstad.
Van Jaarsveld, Ernst, et al (2000): Vygies, Gems of the Veld (in Italian & English). Cactus & Co, Italy.
Jainta, Harald & Anja (2017): Wild Lithops. Klaus Hess, Germany.
*Nel, C.G. se boek is skaars, maar kan by die volgende skakel gratis afgelaai word: http://www.lithops.info/en/books/literature.html
