This is a Split Rock succulent. It’s related to the lithops (living stones) succulents – both are native to South Africa. Pleiospilos nelii is the scientific name for this interesting little plant. Living stones mimic their natural surroundings to an astounding degree – they evolved to resemble smooth rocks – presumably to avoid detection by herbivorous predators.
Because of their compactness, drought tolerance and low maintenance, living stones have become very popular as houseplants and garden accents. The split rock, shown in the photo to the right, lives on the patio and is currently producing its annual flowers. Click on the thumbnail photo to see the full-sized image.
Below is a close-up photo of the beautiful flower as it opens to gather sunlight. Click the image for the 1024×717 pixel close-up.
what a gorgeous shot.
What a great photo of the flower! Split rocks are amazingly interesting!!!
Thanks for the compliments – I always enjoy it when folks like the shots I take!
That is a beautiful shot. Nice work.
Thanks, Sig.
You should see some of my artistic pictures of firearms. I posted some on the blog, but there is only so much space here. Even though some of these aren’t posted, they wind up on Bob’s computer desktop or something.
Most of my “still” photography consisted of various woundings and homicides. Since retiring I do other more fun things but my Nikon 5700 took a dump just three months after I paid $160 to get it fixed. Oh well. My brother is big time into nature photography on his walks through a section of the old Erie Channel near his house. He has some of his shots used on a regular as background by a local TV station during their weather forecast segments.
You do have a nice eye for composition. I would like to see some of those firearms shots also.
Wow, Sig – you and your brother must know quite a bit about the photo profession. I’m just an amateur having fun and love to take pictures. Thanks for the compliment. I’ll get some nice ‘gun art’ pix after our trip to the range this Sunday.
I was trained as a crime scene photographer/evidence technician and my brother is a talented amateur with no training at all. He has used the same 2 MP Fuji camera now for years. Nothing special, he just has an eye like you obviously do.
Thanks again, Sig. I’m very flattered that people like my photos.