Portulacaria armiana often grows in small dominant stands in vegetation classified as Noms Mountain Desert (Gariep Desert Bioregion) (Mucina et al . 2006). The tall perennial whipstick-like inflorescence (usually only three to eight produced by each plant) is remarkable and reminds one of the whipstick acacia ( Acacia robynsiana ) from the northern Namib. These inflorescences can be seen from great distances. The initial branch grows fast and is covered by leaf-like smaller bracts. These soon become deciduous, leaving a bare and smooth peduncle. The general length recorded is from 3-5 m. However, one plant had an inflorescence 8 m long! (Van Jaarsveld 1984b).

One can only speculate on the strategy of the plant to protect its flowers. Producing flowers high up on its tall ascending branches not only protects them from the warm sun-baked earth, but also from dassie rats (Petromys typicus ), a local diurnal rodent with a characteristic fluffy tail. These vegetarian rats are widespread in the Namib Desert and Namaqua region. The delicate flowers would make a perfect meal for the animals, however the smooth and bare flowering stems of the Portulacaria inflorescence make climbing difficult and therefore keep the flowers out of reach of rats, dassies ( Procavia capensis ) and other smaller rodents as well as antelope. The other advantage of carrying its seed so high would be its seed dispersal, which is probably by wind. The light seed would have an advantage being produced far above the plant canopy which makes wind dispersal more effective. This plant and its dispersal strategy would make a fascinating study for a student of ecology.

With our last visit to the Richtersveld (October 2012) black organic leaf debris was noticed below every plant which suggests (like in the case of its relative, Portulacaria afra ) that this debris is effective in trapping carbon.