Huernia whitesloaneana

Description

Huernia whitesloanea is a an attractive miniature species that grow in colonies. Found only in the Northern Province of South Africa (Limpopo: Soutpansberg and Blouberg). This localized taxon is fairly common and occurs in a habitat where it is not threatened.  This species is found in grassland on exposed sites on in pockets of sandy soil on the tops sandstone rocky outcrops or in rock crevices, often in association with Euphorbias. Purplish-green, growing no taller than 3 cm (or more under cultivation), four- to five-angled with rounded projections (tubercles) along the ridges.
The flower are tiny, bell-shaped, only about 1 cm across, cream, with maroon mottling. They are smooth on the outer surface but with minute, pimple-like bodies (papillae) on the inside. Though small, they still smell foul. The blooms face upwards when produced within the clump, but outwards if formed on the colony edge, for they find support on the ground