In the deserts of southern Africa, a remarkable group of plants has evolved into forms so unusual that they often look more like stones than living organisms. These plants, in the family Aizoaceae, have developed extraordinary adaptations that allow them to survive intense heat, drought, and predation. In this edition of Desert Dreaming, we’ll explore how these plants live, how they evolved, and how people cultivate them today. We’ll also look at the threats they face in the wild, and what we can do to help ensure their survival for generations to come.” Learn to grow lithops from seed!

Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration is required. Wonder Walks are designed for all ages to inspire curiosity and learning from each other through activities that model curiosity and honor nature. If we have a sizeable mixed-age group, we may separate into two sets to offer the same content at different levels of engagement.

Desert Dreaming is an indoor walk in the conservatory at Matthaei Botanica Gardens.