Hunting for Commelinaceae at Red Desert

On this Thursday's outing we were joined by Frank Chidawanyika, a researcher from the Agricultural Research Council. He is researching biological control of the invasive species, Tradescantia flumenensis (Commelinaceae), and needs to collect indigenous members of the Commelinaceae family to confirm that the biocontrol vector being considered for release has no inclination to skip species and cause damage to indigenous species. 

At the Red Desert Nature Reserve we were able to show him the natural habitat for several species of Commelina, Cyanotis and Floscopa. In addition, Pondoland CREW members gave him cuttings from their gardens for the trials. Although it was too early for the Floscopa to be flowering, a photo from an earlier visit to the same site is attached below to show what Floscopa glomerata looks like.

Floscopa glomerata

We found a number of Brachycorythis ovata, but fewer than in previous years. In a nearby wetland the numbers of Orthochilus (Eulophia) milnei were more severly reduced by the dry conditions. Near the wetland we came across two Brachystelma sandersonii (vulnerable).

Orthochilus milnei

Brachystelma sandersonii

Scattered in the wetland were a few Satyrium sphaerocarpum, and in another wetland area near the Zolwane stream we found a number of Eulophia angolensis.
 

Satyrium sphaerocarpum

At this stage the light drizzle we had been enjoying intensified into real rain and it did not take long for us to be wet to the knees and to be squelching along in soaked boots. We nevertheless had time, after lunch under the shelter of an umdoni tree (Syzygium cordatum), to enjoy the flowers of Dianthus zeyheri, Protea simplex and Protea roupelliae on the way back to our vehicles.

Dianthus zeyheri

Protea roupelliae

Protea simplex

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Frank C, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Uschi T.