About Rhigozum trichotomum Burch.
Rhigozum trichotomum is a woody perennial shrub native to the region stretching from Angola to South Africa. It grows primarily in the Nama Karoo, and is listed as Least Concern (LC, marked 'safe') on the SANBI red list. This shrub reaches 1–2 meters in height, and has thorny twigs that most often branch in groups of three. It produces small leaves that it drops during the dry season, and bears small white flowers with yellow centers. Areas that have been overgrazed often become densely covered by this plant. Its dominance in an area indicates poor land management, and can leave soil more prone to erosion. The plant itself is not palatable to grazing animals, but it acts as a nurse plant that supports the growth of other young plants. It grows in areas that receive 50–350 mm of rainfall per year.
