Floral Treasures of Rennies

Our destination this Thursday was Rennies, Port Edward — a small but highly biodiverse, endemic-rich coastal ecosystem. We met at the seaside entrance to the Red Desert. After we realised we didn’t have our keys to the gate, we called Matt, who valiantly arrived minutes later to unlock it and let us in. From the gate, we could see the extent of the arson burn that had occurred at the Red Desert over the weekend. Matt said that it had taken until late Monday afternoon to get it under control; the dry winds and lack of rain meant that fire season was starting earlier than expected. 

A nest of twigs and spider silk sits vacant till spring.

After our traditional tea and coffee, we gathered our packs and set off down the tracks towards Rennies. There was no wind—hallelujah!—it was cool and cloudy. Our first flower was the hardy Athrixia phylicoides, Bush tea, a common sight at this time of year. There was Imperata cylindrica, Cotton-wool grass, which begs you to reach out and touch the soft, woolly, silver-white flower spikes. Anne pointed to Leonotis leonurus, Wild dagga, growing in the thicket, and as we brushed past a clump of Cymbopogon nardus, Giant Turpentine Grass, it released its gentle citronella smell.

Athrixia phylicoides

Imperata cylindrica

Leonotis leonurus

Cymbopogon nardus

Nearby in the parched grass, Helichrysum natalitium, Imphepho, displayed its creamy-yellow flower clusters. Imphepho translates directly in traditional contexts to “air for the spirits”; it is believed that burning the dried plant clears the physical air, creating a pure space that allows ancestral spirits (Amadlozi) to breathe, draw close, and communicate with the living.

Helichrysum natalitium

Tucked into the grass, Thunbergia atriplicifolia (Isiphondo esincane) used its dark green foliage and soft, cream-coloured flowers to draw our gaze. Beside it, the pretty pink Tephrosia macropoda subsp. diffusa trailed through the thick grass — a small, dainty pea that secretly hides potent chemical properties. Rising on four-sided square stems was the floriferous perennial herb Hypericum lalandii, Spindly Hypericum, showing off its starry yellow flowers. Scattered around them were the blue stars of Aristea ecklonii, whose intense blue flowers open wide at dawn, only to melt into a dark blue ink by the heat of midday. Tragic.

Thunbergia atriplicifolia

Tephrosia macropoda subsp. diffusa

Hypericum lalandii

Aristea ecklonii

The occasional Watsonia densiflora was still in bloom, adding a pop of deep magenta-pink colour with its densely packed, trumpet-shaped blossoms that stacked neatly up rigid, sword-like stalks. As we plodded along, our packs heavy with lunch, Dorothy found the South African endemic Selago tarachodes, a highly attractive, compact perennial herb belonging to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). We set our sights on some rocks, eager to explore what botanical treasure we might find. Standing out there in the long grass like beacons, Lasiosiphon anthylloides (Brandbossie) is a remarkable shrub. It features neat layers of overlapping, silky grey-green leaves that beautifully complement its soft, woolly yellow flowers. 

Watsonia densiflora

Selago tarachodes

Lasiosiphon anthylloides

A muddle of botanists, admiring Lasiosiphon anthylloides

Anthospermum herbaceum falls in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). What’s interesting is that it is strictly wind-pollinated. It's amazing how unique each plant is. Peeking out of the grass was Indigofera herrstreyi, a highly localised endemic species in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism. As we made our way through the Watsonia pillansii, Knolpypie, Alf spotted a single spike of the fiery tangerine flowers. If orange is your colour, then you will love these.

Anthospermum herbaceum

Indigofera herrstreyi

Watsonia pillansii

Amidst the rocks and grass, the beautiful succulent rosettes of Aloe maculata, Common Soap Aloe, form a vibrant green oasis. Their flat-topped clusters of tubular flowers are held proudly atop long, slender stems. Hillary, fascinated with the flowers, carefully and perfectly dissected a single tubular flower. Anne explained how the prominent, superior green ovary leads to a slender style surrounded by six pollen-bearing anthers. Polygala myrtifolia, September bush — while the blooms closely resemble a legume (pea) flower, they belong to the milkwort family (Polygalaceae). Barleria obtusa, Bush violet, defines the arrival of the cooler weather.

Aloe maculata

Hilary examining a flower tube of Aloe maculata

Through the looking glass

A perfectly dissected flower

Polygala myrtifolia

Barleria obtusa

At our lunch spot on the rocks we were surrounded by some exciting finds. Justicia betonica, Squirrel’s tail, and Ceropegia carnosa, whose tubular blossoms feature specialised cages lined with downward-pointing hairs. These temporarily imprison tiny flies before releasing them once they are dusted with pollen. Euphorbia flanaganii, Medusa’s head, is endemic to the coastal sandstone bands of the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. It is severely poached for two totally different reasons: the international horticulture trade and the domestic “muthi” market. This combined pressure, paired with ongoing coastal development and habitat fragmentation, has landed the species Vulnerable status.

Justicia betonica

Ceropegia carnosa

Euphorbia flanaganii

You have to love some of the common names. Soldier-in-the-box, Albuca setosa — the hessian-like, matte bulbs form a distinct, fibrous tunic around the neck, a primary identifying feature that protects it from the harsh elements of the veld. Delosperma lineare with white flowers and translucent red fruit growing in the cracks. We admired the beautiful evergreen tree Apodytes dimidiata, White Pear, full of asymmetrical black berries, each sporting a bright scarlet, fleshy aril. Osteospermum moniliferum, Bietou, full of jolly yellow daisy-like flowers.

Albuca setosa

Delosperma lineare

Apodytes dimidiata

Osteospermum moniliferum

Winding through the grassland are a series of gullies hidden in the long grass, expertly designed to trip you. Just ask Uschi! Helping to hold the muddy margins of these gullies together is Lobelia anceps, which acts like natural netting because of its tendency to drop roots wherever its stem joints touch the mud. Callilepis laureola, Ox-eye Daisy, is beautiful but highly toxic. Interestingly, in early botanical history the word “daisy” originally meant “day’s eye”. Adding “ox-eye” or “bull’s-eye” was used to describe daisies that were much larger, rounder, and bolder.

Uschi "exploring" the gully

Lobelia anceps

Callilepis laureola

You would be forgiven for thinking that the name Thesium cupressoides has something to do with its copper-gold colour. However, the species name cupressoides actually refers to its highly branched, bushy growth habit and its small, scale-like leaves that resemble a cypress tree (Cupressus). Cyanotis speciosa, Doll’s powderpuff, has distinctive mauve-pink fluffy flowers beautifully contrasted by its bright yellow anthers. Our second Polygala of the day, Polygala refracta, is distinguished by its bright pink wing alae that flank a smaller, darker pink central keel.

Thesium cupressoides

Cyanotis speciosa

Polygala refracta

Clusters of pretty button-like yellow flower heads belonged to Nidorella auriculata, Inhlanga. The species name auriculata means “with ears”. This refers directly to the distinctive lobes at the base of the leaves that tightly clamp or wrap around the central stem (auriculate leaves). We waded through the grass to admire Coleus kirkii, Blue soldier, which was putting on an impressive display. Dorothy photographed Gnidia woodii, a perennial subshrub belonging to the fibre-bark family (Thymelaeaceae).

Nidorella auriculata

Distinctive lobes at the base of the leaves of Nidorella auriculata

Coleus kirkii

Gnidia woodii
Photo credit Dorothy

As we walked through the Brachylaena discolor, Coastal Silver-oak, and Strelitzia nicolai, Natal Mock Banana, we saw the papery, sun-kissed blossoms of Helichrysum aureum and Berkheya speciosa. Endemic to southern Africa, it is known for its dramatic rosettes of spiny foliage and exceptionally large, bright yellow composite flowers. Some quick group photo magic and then we were homeward bound.

Strelitzia nicolai

Dehiscent woody capsule of Strelitzia nicolai

Helichrysum aureum

Berkheya speciosa

Catacroptera cloanthe
Pirate

Pondoland C.R.E.W.
Tracy Taylor, Hilary Henderson, Anne Skelton, Dorothy Mcintyre, Alf Hayter, Uschi Teicher

A Windy Day at Beacon Hill

We met at Beacon Hill and had coffee under the rather weathered roof. We had planned to walk down the firebreak towards the stream, but the wind had other ideas, so we made our way down to the forested area along the stream instead.

Heading down to the stream

As we are well into autumn, there were very few flowers. It’s that quiet in-between period when the summer flowers have all but faded and the winter flowers have yet to emerge. Among the grass, the last few Exochaenium natalense (Liphalana) still displayed their bright white, star-shaped flowers. These little plants are endemic to a very specific, narrow strip of the east coast of South Africa. Not far away, a bedraggled Exochaenium grande — the more widespread and robust relative — was also in flower. While they share a star-like appearance, this species is easily distinguished by its significantly larger, pale yellow flowers.

Exochaenium natalense

Exochaenium grande

As we merrily walked along the path, Hilary was excited to find Moraea spathulata (Grootgeeltulp), a member of the Iridaceae family. It’s a real crowd-pleaser, with bright yellow iris-like flowers and a single, long, narrow leaf that can reach up to two metres in length.

Moraea spathulata

Hilary holding up the Moraea spathulata leaf

True to its common name, Pelargonium luridum (Waving Pelargonium) waved at us above the grass. Known for its highly variable leaves — which range from almost round and slightly lobed to deeply dissected and feather-like — its colour is equally varied, from plain green to vibrant green or red with contrasting margins. Either way, it makes a striking plant. Clusters of lemon-yellow Helichrysum pannosum flowers appeared like golden islands between the grasses, their felt-like, greyish-white sessile leaves enveloping the thin stalks. The species is endangered due to the loss of over 55% of its natural habitat from urban development, farming, and invasive alien plants.

Pelargonium luridum

Green variation of Pelargonium luridum leaf

Red and green variation of Pelargonium luridum leaf

Helichrysum pannosum

Sessile leaf of Helichrysum pannosum

As we walked, eyes darting from side to side, Dorothy spotted the first Helichrysum ecklonis (Ecklon’s Everlasting). With its bright yellow disc florets surrounded by crystal-pink papery bracts and suede-like grey-green leaves, it was playing host to a busy furrow bee. Easy to identify, Ipomoea cairica (Messina Creeper) trailed through the long grass, its palmate leaves deeply divided into five to seven finger-like lobes.

Helichrysum ecklonis

Ipomoea cairica

The wind had picked up, making it hard to hold onto our hats, so we sought refuge among the boulders in the streambed. While we were deciding where to go next, I noticed a Gerrardina foliosa (Krantz-berry) with axillary clusters of white to yellowish flowers. While not a spectacular-looking shrub, it is scientifically significant as the only member of its own unique family, Gerrardinaceae. Nearby grew the woody climber Putterlickia retrospinosa (Pondo False Spike-thorn), endemic to the Pondoland sandstone region. Its stems, covered in warty lenticels and hooked, backward-pointing thorns, allow it to scramble toward the light. This climber always intrigues me — the plant that dared to be different.

Gerrardina foliosa

Backward-pointing thorns of Putterlickia retrospinosa

Warty lenticels of Putterlickia retrospinosa

 Maggie and Dorothy decided to explore the grassland while Anne, Alf, Hilary and I balanced our way across the moss-covered boulders. It was slow going, but that’s botany. The filigree foliage of Asparagus setaceus (Common Asparagus Fern) added softness to the forest. Despite its common name, it is not a true fern. It looked delicate beside a fallen Podocarpus latifolius (True Yellowwood), South Africa’s prestigious national tree. These slow-growing evergreens are deeply woven into the country’s history; ruthlessly felled in the 1800s, they are now protected.

Into the forest we went

Asparagus setaceus

Podocarpus latifolius

The generous, leathery, elliptic to ovate, opposite leaves of Memecylon bachmannii (Pondo Rose-apple) always warrant a closer look. A defining feature of the genus is the obscure leaf venation — the side veins are often nearly invisible to the naked eye. Hyperacanthus amoenus (Doringkatjiepiering) impressed us with its sculptural beauty. Hidden among clusters of glossy emerald leaves are fierce spines. Its small, pomegranate-like fruits ripen to black, providing a sweet harvest for birds.

Memecylon bachmannii

The underside of Memecylon bachmannianum leaf

Hyperacanthus amoenus with fruit

“Opposites, subopposite? Alternate? Toothed with a clear drip tip. Definitely a creeper. Are there threads?” Yes, no, maybe. So we decided to take a takkie for Dorothy and, in moments, she had identified it as Salacia gerrardii (Forest Lemon-rope). Uschi told us that the Ochna natalitia (Showy Redwood) growing in the forest had two types of galls. Imagine our excitement when we found one. Tarenna pavettoides subsp. pavettoides, Englerophytum natalense, Erythroxylum pictum and Indigofera natalensis were all in abundance along the stream.

 Photo of Salacia gerrardii leaf showing serrations and drip tip

Ochna natalitia with spikey galls

Ochna natalitia with both spikey and rosette-shaped galls 

Where did you put it Anne?

As we neared the end of our ramble in the streambed, I spotted the indigestible remains of an owl’s meal. Looking up, I was thrilled to see a Spotted Eagle-Owl staring down at me. I quietly called the rest of the group over. The owl continued to gaze at us calmly — until one person too many approached. Then it silently took flight.

Indigestible remains of an owl’s meal

Spotted Eagle-Owl

In the sun on the rocks we spotted Alberta magna (Magnificent-flame); the bright red flowers lay scattered on the ground beneath the large, scarlet winged fruits. Below us lay a lovely rock pool overhung by a large Syzygium cordatum (Umdoni). As we picked our way through the grass around the pool, we saw Aspalathus chortophila (Tea Bush) and Athrixia phylicoides (Bush Tea) — not a typo. The former is a wild cousin of commercial rooibos, while the latter is a popular medicinal tea. Helichrysum herbaceum (Monkey-tail Everlasting) still glowed in patches through the grass.

Scarlet winged fruits of Alberta magna

Aspalathus chortophila

Open seed pods of Aspalathus chortophila

Athrixia phylicoides

Helichrysum herbaceum

Back in the streambed we traversed the large steps cut into the Msikaba sandstone by years of flowing water. We ate lunch under two magnificent Syzygium cordatum trees, then walked up the hill on old stone steps laid by people long gone. Monopsis unidentata, a dainty perennial groundcover with small, asymmetric flowers — typically deep purple or mauve, with three petals pointing up and two pointing down — was growing in the damp soil along the trail. Photographing it in the strong wind was a challenge.

Lunch under two magnificent Syzygium cordatum trees

A content Alf

Monopsis unidentata

To the left near the top stood a large boulder we often visit. A gorgeous Ficus grew in a crack, sparking a lively debate between Uschi and Anne about its identity. Ficus ingens (Red-leaved Fig) is famous for its dramatic red leaves and rock-splitting growth habit. Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. mauritiana (Mistletoe Cactus) cascaded from the top of the rock — the only cactus species naturally found outside the Americas. Its long, slender, pendulous stems grew in every direction, displaying beautiful autumn colours. This variation is caused by exposure to high-intensity sunlight, which triggers the production of pigments (primarily anthocyanins and betalains) that act as the plant’s own sunscreen.

A lively debate between Uschi and Anne

Ficus ingens in fruit

Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. mauritiana
with colour variation caused by exposure to
high-intensity sunlight

A quick scramble up the rocks before reaching the cars revealed Ekebergia pterophylla (Rock Ash), an attractive, slow-growing evergreen tree in the mahogany family (Meliaceae). Smilax anceps (Leg-ripper) danced across the rock face, and Helichrysum populifolium filled the air with its lovely honey scent.

Back at the office, the Phoenix reclinata (Wild Date Palm) was full of large, hanging clusters of small, oval orange dates. Though edible, they have thin flesh and are mostly seed. These palms are ecologically important and therefore protected.

Ekebergia pterophylla 

Smilax anceps

Helichrysum populifolium

Phoenix reclinata

This week we end by paying tribute to those who came before us — the ones who laid the foundation for our Thursday excursions. To our mentors, who so generously and patiently share their passion and knowledge with us: thank you.

Moss in its reproductive phase