Terrain of the Knersvlakte. Vlakte in Afrikaans means 'plain,' and kners means 'gnash.' This is a region of flats and low hills covered with quartz gravel. Wikipedia says: "The name is thought to be derived from the gnashing of teeth caused by the hard quartz stones as they are traveled over by wagons."

This is a picture looking down from eye-height at the ground. This is typical Knersvlakte habitat. Every one of the circles surrounds one or more Argyroderma plants that would likely not even be noticed by someone who was not aware that these were living plants among the quartz stones. Each of the squares surround one or more Oophytum nanum plants. The stony ground is literally covered with life. At upper left is another Mesemb and in the upper right is a possible Crassula.

Namaqualand tent tortoise
Psammobates tentorius trimeni

Road sign