Conophytum rugosum TS614 (Rietkloof, S of Kamieskroon)

This species is quite widespread on the ancient granite hills of Namaqualand, often being found low on the hills where water run-off is greatest. However, it is never common in the wild. It is one of the very few conos that is self-fertile, which is probably why the day-opening flowers are small and have little need to attract pollinators. Seed does not germinate well and the plants are extremely challenging to grow, so it will never be common in cultivation either. Frequent division and repotting of the plants, as for C. roodiae, does help to keep it healthy. One of the Rodgerson discoveries, CR1461, seems more amenable to cultivation that most ecotypes.