As we had received a request to look out for the orchid species Ypsilopus erectus, we decided to return to the same area where we walked last week, but on this occasion to try to get to the opposite bank of the waterfall where we had seen suitable habitat for this range-restricted species.
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| The rugged edge of the Umtamvuna River gorge |
We first found our way into the stream bed and then down to the top edge of the waterfall where we enjoyed the stunning view across the gorge towards the Eastern Cape.
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| Climbing down to the waterfall |
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| View from the top of the waterfall |
In a seep at the side of the stream we came across a group of mauve tinged bladderwort species, Utricularia livida, and a bit further from the stream were sheets of the data deficient species Erica aspalathifolia with its white flowers tightly enclosing the stems.
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| Utricularia livida |
Along the cliff edge we found several Pondoland endemics - Eugenia erythrophylla, Eugenia verdoorniae, Manilkara nicholsonii and Pseudoscolopia polyantha. In the shade of the forest below the top edge of the scarp we many Brownleea coerulea - some surrounding a flowering Streptocarpus formosus.
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| Brownleea coerulea |
There was a Robsonodendron ecleiforme in flower and not far away there was a Schefflera umbeliffera with inflorescence buds within reach.
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| Robsonodendron ecleiforme |
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| Schefflera umbellifera |
We came across a rather unusual colour of an undescribed Wahlenbergia, which we collected for our herbarium in the hopes that someone will work on this group soon.
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| Wahlenbergia sp. |
At the forest edge we came across a Lotononis eriocarpa in flower. We kept checking the vertical faces of the rocks for signs of Ypsilopus and were finally rewarded with one plant with open flowers on a vertical face overhanging a vertical drop of about 350m.
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| Lotononis eriocarpa |
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| Ypsilopus erectus - the brown in the background is the Umtamvuna River some 350 metres below |
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| Uschi braving the drop to get a photo |
On the way back we found a solitary Disa tripetaloides at the edge of the stream.
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| Disa tripetaloides |
Participants: Anne S, Debbie K, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Uschi T.
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