The desiccated, red purple Tylecodon reticulatus subsp. reticulatus leaves of this small plant on a stony Calitzdorp slope recline indecorously, like a bunch of over-thirsty tongues, languishing desperately in the drought-ridden veld.

Over them, hard and rigid, the white, woody branches of an earlier panicle give testimony of successful past flowering during days better than this.

Curve and colour contrast proves that suffering can be done in style.