Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog

We drove to Hazel Ridge hoping to find Rhoicissus digitata in flower. Richard Boon had asked if we could keep an eye open for it. Photographs of this plant in flower had only been documented once on I-Naturalist. Gail found it growing on the forest edge between rocks, but, as usual, no flowers were seen. However, Dorothy managed to capture Rhoicissus tridentata in flower in the grassland.

Rhoicissus tridentata
VITACEAE
PC: Dorothy

Rhoicissus digitata
VITACEAE

We explored the grasslands briefly before going to the forest edge and observed three flowers which looked similar to each other, that being Pentanisia angustifolia, Wahlenbergia huttonii and Buchnera dura. The Pentansisa was going over and one could be confused as to what one was looking at and this is why it is so important to look at the leaves and stem to differentiate between the species for correct identification.

Pentanisia angustifolia
RUBIACEAE

Wahlenbergia huttonii
CAMPANULACEAE

Buchnera dura
OROBANCHACEAE

Along the forest edge, we found Osteospermum moniliferum flowering abundantly. Yellow is certainly the most uplifting colour. Our rare and endemic Crassula sarmentosa var. integrifolia flowered, and Carissa wyliei had fruits. Tricalysia capensis var. capensis was both flowering and fruiting.

Osteospermum moniliferum
ASTERACEAE

Crassula sarmentosa var. integrifolia
CRASSULACEAE
Rare
South African endemic

Carissa wyliei
APOCYNACEAE

Tricalysia capensis var. capensis
RUBIACEAE

Maggie kept a close eye on Gail as she had ventured very near the edge of The Shoot looking to see what was growing on the steep shaded slopes. Gail spotted a baboon trail and decided to follow it with Anne and Alf following behind. There, they discovered Streptocarpus formosus, Streptocarpus haygarthii and Streptocarpus polyanthus polyanthus. An embankment stretching as far as the eye could see was full of Streptocarpus formosus. It was the most beautiful sight—we had never seen so many plants and in flower. It will remain in our memories for a life-time.

Streptocarpus formosus, commonly known as the Pondo Streptocarpus, is a captivating plant native to the sandstone gorges of Umtamvuna, Oribi, and Port St. Johns. The name formosus translates to "beautiful," a fitting description for its long, soft, mauve trumpet-shaped flowers. The plant’s leaves are covered with fine white hairs, and their undersides are a pale green.

This species thrives in well-drained soil, often growing between rocks in tropical forests where summers are humid and wet. Streptocarpus formosus is easily cross-pollinate with other species, but it’s also capable of self-pollination. Within a month or two, it releases thousands of fine brown seeds from two long fruits. When dried, these fruits spiral open—a process that inspired the plant’s name. Streptocarpus comes from the Greek words streptos (twisted) and carpus (fruit).

One of the most fascinating features of Streptocarpus formosus is that each leaf acts as an independent plant, complete with its own roots and flowering stems. As the plant ages or faces environmental stress, the tips of its leaves may die off. However, this doesn't harm the plant; instead, the leaf forms an abscission layer, and fresh growth continues from the base. This survival strategy allows the plant to adapt to drought or cooler temperatures. Propagation is straight forward—Streptocarpus formosus can be grown from a single leaf.

Streptocarpus formosus
GESNERIACE

Streptocarpus haygarthii
GESNERIACEAE
South African endemic

Streptocarpus polyanthus polyanthus
GESNERIACEAE
South African endemic

Sansevieria hyacinthoides
RUSCACEAE

Petopentia natalensis
I-nat: Ischnolepis natalensis
APOCYNACEAE
South African endemic

Sansevieria hyacinthoides has striking red margins, it thrives in rocky woodlands under the shelter of trees. Its sweetly scented, cream-colored flowers are fragrant, attracting moths for pollination. Birds love the vibrant orange berries. These plants are known for their air-purifying qualities and makes excellent indoor plants.

The rhizomes and leaves have been used medicinally to treat a range of ailments, including ear infections, toothaches, and earaches, ulcers, worms, stomach disorders, and haemorrhoids.

As the sky darkened, we decided to join the group that had remained in the grasslands. We made our way out of the forest and encountered our endemic and near-threatened Searsia acocksii in bloom. Viscum obscurum was in fruit. On the forest edge, we spotted Plectranthus hadiensis var. hadiensis, Polygala serpentaria, Aeollanthus parvifolius, Euryops brevipapposus, Thunbergia atriplicifolia, Grewia pondoensis, Searsia pentheri, and Asparagus intricatus to name a few.