Partitioning of nutrients in Acanthosicyos horridus, a keystone endemic species in the Namib Desert

Nara (Acanthosicyos horridus) is a dioecious phreatophyte endemic to the Namib Desert. This plant, because of its sand-binding characteristics, forms micro-ecosystems within the dunes. These micro-ecosystems provide both shelter and food for a variety of detritivores, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Nara, a leafless cucurbit, provides a source of water with many of its plant parts containing > 80% water by weight. The new stem tips, flowers, and seeds provide high sources of both nitrogen and phosphorus. The pulp of the melons, besides providing a high source of water, also offers a significant amount of carbohydrates. Considering the nutrient-poor environment nara occurs in, its stoichiometric relationships of C/N and C/P are unusually low.