Sunday 13 September 2009: Pachypodium namaquanum: Half mens boom

Close up of the bark of the half human tree, mostly found in the Richtersveld in South Africa.

Covered with spines, it is not a fellow to run into after dark.

The Richtersveld National Park is a spectacular mountainous desert region in South Africa's northwestern corner. In the park, which is inhabited only by small groups of Nama, one finds a singular vegetation with innumerable species of succulents.

This is the only place where the remarkable halfmensboom (half-person tree) grows. The top of this succulent tree consists of a bunch of thick, crinkled leaves, reminiscent of a human head, the unusual appearance being the inspiration for its name.

The climate in the Richtersveld is extreme with summer temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius quite frequently. Rain is a rare event. Plants and animals get moisture primarily from the sea fog.

During a good year, the growth may be only a few millimeters; they also have the tendency to grow 'towards' the equator.

An ancient and prehistoric plant that is well worth lots of respect and admiration.

Image shot in Blanche's garden.

• DSLR-A200:
• f/5.6:
• 1/250":
• 70mm:
• ISO 100

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