Fauna
Plant

Skinny Stripper

Lachnaea pusilla

Skinny strippers are diminutive, wiry shrublets that cling to nutrient-poor sandstone soils across the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Their tough, remarkably fibrous bark peels away in flexible strips, an adaptation shared throughout the daphne family that deters heavy browsing and provides resilience against mountain winds. During the spring flowering window, compact clusters of pale blossoms crown the slender branch tips to draw solitary bees and specialized fly pollinators.

FynbosEndemicWildflower
Skinny Stripper reference1 / 6
(c) douglaseustonbrown, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by douglaseustonbrown · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Cape grysbok
  • Grey duiker
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsAltered fire frequency and invasive alien vegetation
HabitatsSandstone fynbos slopes and coastal sands
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyThymelaeaceae
  2. SpeciesLachnaea pusilla
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Peak Viewing: Search rocky fynbos outcrops during the spring flowering season when the pale flower heads expand.
  • Field Etiquette: Remain on established hiking trails to avoid trampling fragile root systems anchored in loose sand.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…