Back to Anemone Falls looking for succulents

A group of visitors from Gauteng with an interest in succulent plants had asked if they could join us on our walk this Thursday and we felt that we could probably accommodate their interest while heading back to Anemone falls. So, after a sociable cup of tea, we set off in two vehicles to the Western Heights and started walking.

Hardly had we left the vehicles when we found the first of the succulent plants, the Vulnerable endemic Delosperma subpetiolatum, in its habitat of choice, the bare flat rock plates that are fairly common in this area. 

Delosperma subpetiolatum

Despite the relatively dry conditions of the last few weeks, the seeps were still wet and we found a host of Utricularia species on the fringes of these.

Utricularia livida

Utricularia livida and U. subulata

We worked our way down along a forest-clad stream finding three red-listed endemics on the forest edge: Dahlgrenodendron natalense, Grewia pondoense and Putterlickia retrospinosa. It was not long before the slope of the stream became too steep for us to continue following as it dropped down towards the Umtamvuna River gorge. Here we found a Faurea macnaughtonii in flower at the edge of the forest.

The drop towards the Umtamvuna River

We headed eastwards across a small rise and walked down to the next small stream, which is the source of Anemone falls. Crossing the stream we saw a third Utricularia species, Utricularis prehensilis.

Utricularia prehensilis

Just across the wetland at the top of a small cascade we came across the first of many Habenaria dives, growing amongst Rafnia elliptica shrubs on the hillside.

Habenaria dives

Rafnia elliptica

Working our way around the forest patch we arrived at the drop into the Umtamvuna River gorge next to Anemone Falls where we found a shady spot to enjoy lunch and take in the splendid view. Growing on a cliff edge we found several Erica cubica.

Erica cubica

After lunch, some of the more intrepid amongst us climbed down into the set of cascades and found the Near Threatened endemic Streptocarpus porphyrostachys hidden under a rock ledge in the waterfall. On the nearby stream bank and hanging out over the cliff were some large Agapanthus campanulatus. Under the shrubs were several Stenoglottis macloughlinii and above them in the shade were Streptocarpus formosus. The eponymous Anemone bracteata were still flowering as were a very few Pseudoscolopia polyantha.

 

Streptocarpus porphyrostachys

Agapanthus campanulatus

Stenoglottis macloughlinii

Streptocarpus formosus

Heading back homeward, we found several other orchids in the grassland: Satyrium trinerve, Orthochilus ensatus, Orthochilus odontoglossus and Brachycorythis inhambanensis. 

 

Brachycorythis inhambanensis

Orthochilus ensatus

Orthochilus odontoglossus

As we climbed higher up the slope, we came across more rock plates and here we found several of the Vulnerable endemic Crassula obovata var. dregeana with its beautifully textured leaves - another special succulent to show our visitors.

Crassula obovata var. dregeana 

Along the roadside we found a few Cycnium adonense.

Cycnium adonense

While the weather had looked threatening when we started walking, it remained overcast but rainless, allowing us to have a very enjoyable walk.

Participants Anne S, Debbie K, Gerhard S, Graham G, Hans G, Kate G, Luise G, Uschi T.

Gonioma Heights, The Shute and Erica Kloof

For our last walk before Christmas, Anne suggested that we walk to Erica Kloof - a small wooded stream that we have not previously visited. On the drive to that part of the reserve we noticed some of the highly invasive Campuloclinium macrocephalum at the roadside and stopped so we could deal with them before they can invade the reserve. We parked in the same place we use when visiting Hazel Ridge but this time we headed westwards towards the Umtamvuna River gorge and onto Gonioma Heights.

In the grassland we found a few Brachycorythis pubescens.

Brachycorythis pubescens

At Gonioma Heights we found Psydrax obovata in full flower and then made our way down a steep slope towards the next forested gulley. Growing in the shade below the taller trees we found several of the delicate shrubby Polygala gazensis and above them were some fruits of Diospyros villosa with their golden irritating hairs, which show up well in the photo below.

Psydrax obovata

Polygala gazensis

Diospyros villosa

We sheltered from the heat for a while next to a crystal-clear pool in the riverine forest before tackling the grassy slope, heading coastwards.

The clear mountain stream

Along this steep grassy slope Pachycarpus asperifolius was the dominant flower, accompanied occasionally by Relhania pungens.

Pachycarpus asperifolius

Relhania pungens

We finally reached Erica Kloof - we have yet to determine why the kloof is so named as we saw no Erica nearby - and stopped in the shady stream bed for lunch. Suitably refueled, we pressed on coastwards until we reached the next stream. This is the stream we previously reached when walking upstream from Manilkara Meander, so now we have covered this area between Manilkara Meander and Hazel Ridge at least once. Here we found a few Aspalathus dahlgrennii in flower.

On the way back we found a small forest patch just below a wetland. While there was nothing of special note in this forest patch, we did find a several small invasive Acacia longifolia which Anne and I promptly dealt with. In the wetland above we found Satyrium sphaerocarpum - unfortunately all past their best. Sticking out above the grass were several dried flowers of Crabbea nana.

Interesting textures of dry Crabbea nana flowers

Best wishes for a peaceful festive season from Pondoland CREW

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

A first visit to Mount Currie Nature Reserve

On the spur of the moment, Kate and I decided to travel up to Kokstad to see what flowers Mount Currie Nature Reserve had to offer. We were joined at the reserve by Mivuyo Mbiko, a Masters student at UKZN. We were met by the reserve manager, Pat Lowry, who took us to the upper gate of the reserve to show us what route to take on our walk. He and Mivuyo walked with us for the first half kilometer or so before Pat had to get back to work and Mivuyo had to return for family business.

View along path from top gate with Kokstad in the background

The flowers were prolific along this section of the path and the grassland looked in very good condition. In contrast to the sandstone formations familiar on our walks in the Pondoland region, the geology here is mostly formed by dolerite outcrops and clayey soils derived from the weathering of the dolerite.  The views towards Mount Currie are pretty spectacular.

A cloud-capped Mount Currie

We soon came across the first Orthochilus foliosus of the many we were to see that day. Another common orchid for the day was Eulophia ovalis. Nearby was a Hibiscus aethiopicus and another ubiquitous species for the day, Monsonia grandifolia.

Orthochilus foliosus

Eulophia ovalis

Hibiscus aethiopicus

Monsonia grandiflora

There were also many Pachycarpus plicatus - a species I had forgotten we had seen previously at Ngele. Not far away was a Eulophia zeyheriana and another orchid, Orthochilus leontoglossus.

Pachycarpus plicatus

Eulophia zeyheriana

Orthochilus leontoglossus

Amongst some dolerite boulders we found Dioscorea rupicola  in flower as well as Bowiea volubilis. The latter is a bulbous plant which is very popular for use in traditional medicine (muthi), and as a result is heavily collected. 

Dioscorea rupicola

Bowiea volubilis

Near these boulders we found Schizoglossum stenoglossum subsp. stenoglossum and we were to see several more of these during the day. Another plant which enjoyed the protection and micro-climate offered by the boulders was Helichrysum tenax var. tenax.

Schizoglossum stenoglossum subsp. stenoglossum

Helichrysum tenax var. tenax

We worked our way up an outcrop, finding Moraea graminicola and Dianthus mooiensis along the way.

A dolerite outcrop - the red-coloured grass is Rendlia altera

Moraea graminicola

Dianthus mooiensis

Once we reached the top of the outcrop we found Convolvulus natalensis, Ipomoea oblongata and the first of many Xysmalobium stokenstroomense.

Convolvulus natalensis

Ipomoea oblongata

Xysmalobium stokenstroomense

In the distance we spotted the wetland that Pat Lowry mentioned so we headed down to explore. Here we found a few Gladiolus papilio and the two varieties of Senecio polyodon, one with ray florets and one without. This area was rich in Cyperaceae as well as an unusual white-coloured form of Pentanisia angustifolia.  In another section of damp grassland we found an Alepidea which may be A. duplidens (awaiting confirmation).

 

Gladiolus papilio

Senecio polyodon var. polyodon

Senecio polyodon var. subglaber

Pentanisia angustifolia

 

Alepidea duplidens

We stopped for lunch near a stream in the shade of a Leucosidea sericea and then set off downhill towards the reserve camp.

The boulder strewn stream bed as our lunch stop

We found a dramatic display of Agapanthus campanulatus on a steep south-west facing slope set off by tall Cephalaria oblongifolia. Opposite these was a small forest patch dominated by flowering Olinia emarginata trees.

Agapanthus campanulatus

Olinia emarginata

Skirting around the forest patch we clambered down a steep slope finding Indigofera foliosa on the way down.

Indigofera foliosa

 At this lower altitude, we moved into areas which had been used as commonage before the establishment of the Reserve. Clearly this is an area which the game seem to prefer as we spotted a Mountain Reedbuck watching us for a while before whistling an alarm and running off. Closer to the camp a group of rather tame Zebra followed us for short distance.

Mountain Reedbuck

Zebra

This was a very promising first visit. We will probably choose to explore the higher parts of the reserve during future visits as these areas appear to have suffered less from past grazing activity. Maybe with an earlier start it will be possible to get even higher up Mount Currie than we managed on this occasion.

Participants: Graham G, Kate G, Mivuyo B, Pat L.