Typical karoo is dominated by low shrubs, with many species belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae), for example, karoobos (Pentzia spp.), bitterbos (Chrysocoma tenuifolia), kapokbos (Eriocephalus tenuifolia), and Pteronia spp. like P. incana (Laventelbos/Vaalbossie/Karoobos) and P. paniculata (Gombossie).What all these plants have in common are high concentrations of terpenoids (redins, gums) and other volatile oils which give the meat and wool that distinctive taste and smell. For instance, in the daisy Osmitopsin, the terpenoids are sesquiterpenoid lactones, characterised by the presence of a lactone ring. While the essential oil of the laventelbossie contains alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene and myrcene as main components.These mainly mono-terpenoids and volatile oils are absorbed by the long chain waxy esters of the lanolin in the wool of the Karoo sheep. The lanolin is transferred on contact (rubbing) and can not really be removed by water (washing). Lanolin's waterproofing property are well know by fishermen traditional Ganseys. Gansey (sweaters) have been worn by seamen and fishermen throughout the British Isles for centuries. Islanders can be seen wearing them in photographs taken early in the 20th century.Helmke, Cape Town