The !narra plant on the dunes in the Namib desert. It grows in areas where there are ephemeral (usually underground) rivers, and on the sheltered side (the plinth) of dunes.

A !narra blossom. Did you know that there are male and female !narra plants?

The fruit (melons) of the !narra are gathered usually December through may

Many plants like the !narra will wilt and die in severe drought. Even desert plants need a source of water. The roots can reach down 50 meters in length!

Opening and cleaning the ripened fruits to be cooked.

The Topnaar preserve the fruit by boiling it and pounding it into a pulp.

Juice from the !narra fruits are squeezed out upon the sand and allowed to dry into fruit roll-ups