Odontophorus nanus

Odontophorus nanus, in Afrikaans commonly called the meerkatbekkie (little meerkat maw) and previously scientifically O. albus and O. herrei among other names, is a dwarf leaf succulent of the Aizoaceae family, a mesemb. The plant forms a ground-level clump of about 5 cm in diameter from a somewhat fleshy rootstock. The specific name, nanus, is derived from the Greek word nanos meaning small or dwarf, referring to the plant’s petite stature.

The species distribution of this Northern Cape endemic is the southern Richtersveld, the plant particularly associated with Steinkopf.

The habitat is quartzite ridges and outcrops. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Frandsen, 2017; Williamson, 2010; Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006; iNaturalist; https://llifle.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).