About Zyrphelis crenata (Thunb.) Kuntze
Zyrphelis crenata (Thunb.) Kuntze, also referred to as Mairia crenata, is a geophytic perennial herb that varies in height and hairiness. Plants are mostly 2–15 cm (1–6 in) tall, but at low altitudes, particularly towards the east, they may sometimes reach 40 cm (16 in) in height. This species has a woody rhizome up to 5 cm (2 in) long, which produces bright to dark brown, thick fleshy roots, and one to three leaf rosettes. Each plant produces five to seventeen hard leathery leaves that may be somewhat succulent, with a distinct midvein. Leaves are either narrowed into a 1⁄2–2 cm (0.2–0.8 in) long leaf stalk or only slightly narrowed. The leaf axils are often woolly. Leaf blades are mostly initially covered in some woolly hairs, have a shiny surface, and are shaped like an ellipse, inverted oval, spoon, or almost circle. Leaf blades measure 2–4+1⁄2 cm (0.8–1.8 in) long and 1⁄2–2+1⁄2 cm (0.2–1.0 in) wide. Leaf tips may be either pointy or blunt. Leaf margins are flat or slightly curved downward, and have evenly spaced rounded teeth tipped with blackish red; rarely, leaf margins are almost entire. Among all species in the genus Mairia, M. crenata has the largest distribution. It has an isolated population on Table Mountain. It can be found from Du Toitskloof Pass and the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the west, along the entire length of the Riviersonderend Mountains, Langeberg, Outeniqua Mountains and Tsitsikamma Mountains, all the way to the Kouga Mountains at its eastern end. It grows in fynbos vegetation on sandstone slopes.
