The CSSA is supporting the purchase of critical habitat at one of only two known sites for a distinctive and potentially new species – Lithops alpina. This effort is a collaboration with the Namibian Chamber of Environment and the National Botanical Research Institute.
The CSSA is funding the purchase of land in Namibia that is botanically significant, as it is part of one of only two known locations of Lithops pseudotruncattella f.alpina. There is scientific discussion that Lithops pseudotruncattella f.alpina is deserving of species status and should be known as Lithops alpina.
In any case, this population of Lithops pseudotruncattella f.alpina exhibits a unique yellow color. This population of Lithops pseudotruncattella f.alpina is contained in a fully fenced-in area that had been bulldozed to make way for a housing development. Initially, the Lithops population was decimated. Luckily, the population rebounded due to the seed bank in the soil.
The plants grow on a small strip of land designated for two housing lots separated by a road in the middle. The land being purchased is one of the two lots. After the purchase of the first parcel, it is anticipated that the owner of the second parcel will be approached regarding the feasibility of a sale. The specifics of the sale are that the buyer of the property is the Namibian Chamber of Environment and the Custodian of the property is the National Botanical Research Institute.
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