Terra incognita - a visit to a grassland near Jolivet

We have been trying to explore more of the home territory of the collector Rudatis and when we were offered the opportunity to visit a grassland on a farm near Jolivet we made arrangements to visit, allowing a suitable interval after a management burn.

Driving down to the grassland through a Eucalyptus plantation we saw a number of Eulophia streptopetala in flower under the trees. We started our walk near a small stream crossing and very soon came across some very showy orange flowered Eriosema cordatum  plants amongst the grass.  

Eulophia streptopetala

Eriosema cordata

A little further up the slope we came across the first of a species named after Rudatis, the unobtrusive endangered endemic Searsia rudatisii. This is the fourth locality we have recorded for this species, all within a radius of about 50km.

Searsia rudatisii

Scattered around and protruding above the grass were several pale yellow Moraea, probably Moraea graminicola and nodding their silvery bracts and dark red heads were Dierama reynoldsii.

Moraea graminicola 

Dierama reynoldsii

In the shade under a tree were many small white-flowered Hypoxis membranacea and the Eugenia albanensis were also starting to flower amongst the grasses, their white flowers hidden low on the stalks - this is a plant to watch as it produces surprisingly large and delicious fruits.

Hypoxis membranacea

Eugenia albanensis

On rocky plates we found an Asclepias or Xysmalobium - with its flowers yet to open it is difficult to confirm which. With the weather starting to threaten, we returned to the vehicle, and after a brief detour to look at the opposite more rocky slope (where we found a single Drimia uniflora),  we drove further. 

Drimia uniflora

Uschi studying the Drimia

Just inside a second gate we saw some Kniphofia flowering and stopped to have a closer look, and that led us to what might be the find of the day - a Riocreuxia. As confirmation of the ID is awaited, readers will have to watch this space. 

After weathering a short rain shower, we proceeded further up the track. A flash of white in a tree alerted us to a splendid patch of the epiphytic orchid, Mystacidium capense.

Mystacidium capense

 At our lunch spot near a small stream we found Pachystigma macrocalyx alongside the stream, and in the open grassland were brightly coloured Sphenostylis angustifolia shrublets.

Sphenostylis angustifolia

Higher up the track we found several Rhynchosia cooperi with their bright yellow flowers and at the top of the hill we stopped for the last time to capture a sense of the place.

Rhynchosia cooperi 

Pondoland CREW with the Mtwalume River gorge and some impressive rock formations in the background

We came away with a list of more than 200 species which we are sure to be able to add to with further visits.

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Uschi T.