Dec 16, 2022
Karoo gansmis (Avonia papyracea) is said to mimic bird droppings to avoid herbivores in the desert of the Northern Cape. But I suspect it resembles more caterpillars and thus may be more attractive to birds? (the Chinese name is 银蚕 , which means silver silkworm). The white scales (stipules) function as shade clothes to protect the small green leaves underneath from the harsh desert sun. How clever it is!