Origin and Habitat: Northern part of the southern Namib, Distristrict Luderitz-South, Namibia.
Altitude: 20–550 metres above sea level.
Habitat end ecology: Psammophpra nissenii grows on rocky outcrops on gentle, north-facing hill slopes in well-drained sandy or gravelly soil rich in limestone, also in extensive plains in tiny hummocks of sand or in pockets in quartz or dolomite. It strives in a very a arid area with less than 100 mm rain/per annum, but the extreme aridity is attenuated by the frequent, often dense coastal fog (the humidity of the ocean furnish part of the water needed by this plants). The nocturnal condensation is also an important and conspicuous source of humidity, that (especially in winter) may wet the ground down to 2 cm in depth. The root system of the Psammophpra is sallow and allows them to uptake the maximum of this humidity. Other psammophorous species such as Psammophora modestaSN|34734]]SN|34734]] and Chlorophytum viscosum are important constituents of the vegetation. It is known from between 6 and 16 sub-populations and locations; no significant continuing decline in number of mature plants known.

• Psammophora nissenii (Dinter) Dinter & Schwantes
• Mesembryanthemum nissenii Dinter

Description: Psammophpra nissenii is a very attractive, compact, perennial dwarf succulent, up to 10 cm across. In habitat it grows sunken in the ground for most of the leaf length, only the triangular leaf tips visible. The particularity of this plant is that sand particles adhere to the sticky leaves in great quantity, forming a secondary protective layer over leaf surface (probably with heat-reducing function, moreover the layer of sand shelters the leaves against the destructive force of high sand blasting winds). The broader, recurved leaf tips and the wider and more rounded valve wings distinguish this species from Ppsammophpra longifolia.
Stems: Very short with up to 12 branches,
Leaves: Broadening towards the tip, forming a recurved triangle there, exhibiting the leaf surface in this part, 20-40 mm long, up to 15 mm broad, the raised, subdivided prominent epidermis cells densely packed as if forming a pavement, the stomata in the sunken fissures in between. The leaves characteristically exude a gummy, sticky substance. The glue is made under the cuticle, which bursts, setting it free.
Flowers: Solitary with two pairs of bracts, 20-30 mm in diameter, white. Sepals 5 . Petals mostly less than 40, white. Filamentous staminodes mostly 18-43 white. Filaments 74-138 white, basally papillate.
Fruits (Hygrochastic seed capsules): With poorly developed covering membranes, valve wings broader than expanding keels, 5, rarely 6-locular
Seeds: Small 0.7-0.9 mm long, 0.55-0.75 mm broad. Testa surface rugose, micropylar fold with cuticular folds,

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) J.S.Turner & M.D. Picker "Thermal ecology of an embedded dwarf succulent from southern Africa (Lithops spp: Mesembryanthemaceae)" in: Journal of Arid Environments 24: 361-385 1993
2) Nicholas Edward Brown, A. Tischer, M. C. Karsten “Mesembryanthema; Descriptions: With Chapters on Cultivation and General Ecology” L. Reeve, 1931
3) Gordon D. Rowley “The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents” Crown Publishers, 01/Aug/1978
4) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
5) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
6) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
7) Hermann Jacobsen “Lexicon of Succulent Plants” Littlehampton Book Services Ltd. 1974
8) Sonja Loots “Red Data Book of Namibian Plants” SABONET, 2005
9) WIND National Herbarium of Namibia.
10) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/giu/2000

Cultivation and Propagation: Psammophora grow on a varied rainfall period, but in cultivation they do very well with the fall-winter growing period during which they are watered not too frequently and heads for summer dormancy. Psammophora are tricky plants that are very particular about their growing conditions and require the right maintenance in order to keep happy. They are notoriously difficult to grow because they rot easily, but they are not so really difficult in cultivation, keeps going over the summer too and don’t need very special care. The growing season in northern hemisphere is from September to March. If you provide the Psammophora with the right conditions, they will reward you with their unique shape, size, colour and a proliferation of blooms in winter. Being small plants, a representative collection can be grown on a patio table, a sunny windowsill or a shelf in the greenhouse.
Soil: It grows best in sandy-gritty soil and requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Repotting: They may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently relatively poor flowers. They might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Watering: The Psammophora thrive in dry and desert regions and are able to stand extended periods of drought and require careful watering. Water minimally in summer, (only occasional misting), water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring, but let the soil dry between soaking. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended. It must have very dry atmosphere.
Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer.
Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and require a minimum temperature 5°C (But will take a light frost and is hardy down to -7° C for short periods if it is in dry soil). USDA zones 9A – 11.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: Seed in autumn or (or rarely) cuttings. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root and permit to dry out a couple of days, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward. It is relatively difficult to root Psammophora from cuttings and generally pointless as well, so quick are they from seed.