Lithops timelapse after watering

Video starts right after the first dose of water this year.
1 day per frame, 5 frames per second, 53 days total.

Lithops are extremely succulent plants originating from the semi-deserts of southern Africa. Their plant body rests under ground, while on top they have transparent windows to let sunlight in for photosynthesis. A camouflage pattern on the windows lets them appear more or less like a pair of pebblestones, so hungry animals may hardly find them. I like them because they look like ornamented knobs or gemstones. Lithops never afford more than two "leaves". The old ones from last year nourish the inner new lobes until they fully take over in spring: The outer lobes dry completely and retract below ground, in my opinion to avoid obstruction of the light entrance windows.
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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• time
• lapse
• gardening
• stop-motion
• lithops
• succulent
• stone
• plant
• aizoaceae
• mesembs

[coldplaylouise]

@ilboia88SD i think its because as they absorb the water they get fatter and as it slowly gets used up they go back down again.

[coldplaylouise]

that's really cooool !!

[ilboia88SD]

excuse me, why they go up and down?