Gallery

A selection of images illustrating a variety of aspects of Namibian plants.

Plain Tiger Danaus chryssipus on African heartvine Pentarrhinum insipidum. Photo: B Curtis

Eragrostis pallens for sale at the roadside. Photo: Coleen Mannheimer

Vegetation in the western-flowing rivers allows large animals such as giraffe to survive in the desert. Photo: Steve Braine

Sossusvlei, the end of an ephemeral river blocked off by dunes, with Camelthorn trees (Acacia erioloba) and the Namib endemic !Nara melon (Acanthosicyos horridus) bushes. Only during exceptional rains does water reach this pan. Both species are an important source of food and habitat for wildlife. The !Nara melons are also eaten by people. Photo: B Curtis

One of many uses of Sesamum triphyllum. Photo: Coleen Mannheimer

Kalahari acacia, Omungondo, Mumangandjamba (Rk) (Acacia luederitzii), one of two well-photographed trees in the saline grasslands of Etosha Pan. Found across central and north-eastern Namibia. Photo: J Fourie

Wasp on flowers of Euphorbia virosa, Candelabra Euphorbia (E), Gifboom (A), Kandelaberwolfsmilch (D), Eyao (H), ǁKhaob (K). Photo: B Curtis

Euphorbia virosa at sundown. Photo: Steve Braine

Plant pollinator: Honey bee on Acacia flowers. Photo: P Tarr

Gazania lichtensteinii, a common annual after the rains in southern Namibia and northern Cape. Photo: Sean Braine

Chameleon hiding in Searsia marlothii bush, Bitter Karee (E), Bitterkaree (A,D), Okaryangwari (H), ǀKhurubeb (K).

Photo: S Braine

Commiphora wildii – also known as omumbiri and Namibian myrrh. Namibian myrrh is an essential oil. See https://www.nbri.org.na/sections/economic-botany/INP/sectors/Commiphora. Photo: J Fourie

Aloe dichotoma / Aloidendron dichotomum Quiver Tree (E), Kokerboom (A), Köcherbaum (D), Otjindombo (H), ǁGaras (K). Photo: J Fourie

Buprestid beetle. Photo: M Steynberg

Vine Snake Thelotornis capensis oatesii in Mustard Bush Salvadora persica, Kerriebos (A), Pfefferstrauch (D), omungambu (H), khooris (K). Photo: A Jarvis

A range of indigenous fruits for sale in an open market.

Photo: C Mannheimer

Many grass species are used traditionally for thatching, especially in Zambezi and Kavango regions. Photo: C Mannheimer

A little-known forest of Phantom trees (Sprokiesboom, Mehlsackbaum, Omutindi, //Khaos) (Moringa ovalifolia) in the Namib Naukluft National Park. Found mostly in north and central western Namibia, the species also extends into southern Angola. Photo: B Curtis

Ants collect the seeds of grasses. Photo: B Curtis

Indigenous natural products being sold at Opuwo open market. Many of these are used in traditional Ovahimba cosmetic products, mostly fragrances. Photo: D Cole

The Namib’s iconic Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis) is endemic to the Namib and Pro-Namib, growing on gravel plains, dry washes and rocky slopes. Photo: A Jarvis

The winged fruit of Brittle-thorn (Brosdoring, Flügelfruchtstrauch, Otjinanguruve, //Aris)(Phaeoptilum spinosum) may be confused with the totally unrelated combretums. This hardy species is common across southern and central Namibia. Peeping from behind is Dubbeltjie (Tribulus zeyheri). Photo: B Curtis

Sociable weavers Philetairus socius make large nests in camelthorn Acacia erioloba trees using grass. Photo: B Curtis

Gazania jurineifolia subsp. scabra, a perennial daisy of the coastal southern Namib and northern Cape. Photo: Sean Braine

Gemsbok in the Namib need grass to eat and trees for shade. Photo: B Curtis

Giraffe enjoy the leaves and flowers of Acacia erioloba, Camel Thorn (E), Kameeldoring (A), Kameldorn(baum) (D), Omumbonde (H), ǀ’Ànà (J), ǁGanab (K), ǁQara (Kx), Omuthiya (O), Musu (R), Muhoto (S), Ghuthu (T). Photo: B Curtis

Edible fruit of the Large Sour Plum (E), Grootsuurpruim (A), Rote Sauerpflaume (D), Omumbeke (H), Gǁoeh (J), ǀGūbes (K), ǁ’Axàǂ’ori (Kx), Simpeke (R), Mutente (S), Thihambya (T) (Ximenia caffra) are a delicacy across the north, as indicated by the number of local names. Photo: B Curtis

Elephants and other animals thrive on the pods of Faidherbia albida, Ana Tree (E), Anaboom (A), Anabaum (D), Omue (H), Anas (K), Omuyele (O), Munga (S). Photo: B Curtis

The edible fruit of Strychnos cocculoides – Corky Monkey Orange (E), Suurklapper (A), Korkrindenstrychnos (D), Nǃoh (J), ǃNōs (K), ǀX’oanayi (Kx), Omuguni (O), Uguni (R), Muhuluhulu (S), Ghughumi (T). Photo: B Curtis

Colourful pods of Albizia versicolor – Poisonpod Albizia (E), Grootblaarvalsdoring (A), Großblatt-Albizie (D), Musese (R), Mubaba (S), Ghukongotji (T). Photo: B Curtis

Language codes for species common names

Where common names in different languages are given, the following language codes have been used:

E: English
A: Afrikaans
D: Deutch (German)
H: Otjiherero (including Ovahimba)
J: Ju’hoan
K: Khoekhoegowab (Nama/Damara)
Kx: Kxoe
O: Oshiwambo (including all dialects)
R: Rumanyo (including Rukwangali, Gciriku and Shambuyu)
S: Silozi
T: Thimbukushu