Cephalophyllum is a captivating genus of low-growing, mat-forming to trailing succulent plants in the Aizoaceae, the ice plant or vygie family. These hardy little jewels are strongly associated with the winter-rainfall regions of western South Africa and extend northwards into south-western Namibia, with many species adapted to open, stony, sandy, or renosterveld and fynbos habitats where rainfall is seasonal and drainage is sharp. The name Cephalophyllum comes from Greek words meaning “head” and “leaf”, referring to the compact, head-like clusters of succulent leaves produced by many species. In cultivation, the genus is loved for its neat creeping habit, drought tolerance, and brilliant daisy-like flowers, which may be yellow, red, orange, pink, purple or bicoloured depending on the species, often opening in the brighter part of the day to attract pollinators.

Cephalophyllum pillansii is a mat-forming succulent that grows up to 12.5cm in height. It has grey green finger-like leaves and puts on a prolific display of very striking shiny primrose yellow flowers with many petals in a star burst arrangement, some with dark centers. The flowers are each about 6.5cm wide and open only during sunny days. It makes a great groundcover and also grows well in pots or at the edge of a rock wall.