Living stones

‘Living stones’, or lithops, are an intriguing group of succulents. They resemble the pebbles found in their natural habitat of Namibia and its adjoining African countries. Spineless succulents of 2-4in (5-10cm) across, they grow almost completely embedded in the soil, exposing only a pair of thick and semi-circular succulent ‘leaves’ fused together. A single, daisy-like flower appears from the slit between the leaves.

There are some 200 varieties and cultivars and, because there is such diversity in colours and patterns, collecting lithops can become a hobby.