The “Look, Mum! See where I got to!” shout never comes in the case of Haworthiopsis viscosa, although the youngsters may sprout and mature in the most unlikely, precarious spots, assuming their positions in the Great and Little Karoo succulent community.

As long as the roots retain their grip and the rare big rains don’t flood away the soil too much, all remains well with a plant ensconced like this. The blackish, plus-minus dead stem leaves forming part of the cluster indicate some longevity of this plant.

Narrow crevices among slaty rock arranged like the leaves of a book provide ample opportunity for roots to anchor well here, as well as finding much to eat and drink by roots for more stem growth in the years to come. Or is it drink only when all the nutrients are dissolved in the water, entering by osmosis?