It is a dwarf growing plant and can be found (in ideal conditions) to make a 'carpet' across the ground, with blooms in shades of blue and purple.

[4] It is known as a resurrection plant (meaning it can dry out and stay dormant for long periods and then come back to life after some rain).

[1][6] 5 broad lobes, with 2 yellow,[6] or orange honey guides, marked as spots at the throat,[7] acting as false stamens.

[6] After the flowers are finished blooming, it produces a fruit capsule which is ovoid,[5] cylindric and glabrous or smooth.

[5] Craterostigma plantagineum (Hochst) is known as a resurrection plant as it has the ability to dry out and then stay dormant for long periods and then come back to life after some rain.

[12] These survival mechanisms help it cope in environments with extreme hydration and restricted seasonal water.

[16] It was found in 2000, that the capacity to accumulate large amounts of sucrose in the vegetative tissues helps the plant survive.

[17] In 2011, a study found that Putrescine (an organic chemical compound) to spermine (an organic chemical compound) canalization has also been found in C. plantagineum, which conversely to Arabidopsis, accumulates high spermine levels which associate with drought tolerance.

[1][23] It was first described and published by German (botanist and Protestant minister) Christian Ferdinand Friedrich Hochstetter, in 'Flora' Vol.24 on page 669 in 1841.

[25] It is found within Africa in Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan (including Didinga mountains in south Sudan,[26]), Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Niger, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana,[7] Namibia and South Africa.

[1][25][26] It is found growing in shallow soils over rock,[9][1] on the edge of murram (dirt roads), or on poor pasture lands,[6] and in wooded grasslands.