The burned area we visited on the 7th May (apparently this was an arson burn) had produced very little in the way of flowering species so we thought it might be worthwhile revisiting the area to see if anything more had since sprouted. It was a day after a cold front had passed through and it was overcast, windy and cold but undeterred, we headed across to the Western Heights and stopped where we had previously parked.
What a difference! The ground was covered in flowers - many of these species were flowering way earlier than normal but this was probably stimulated by the early burn and a little rain. With these riches in front of us it was difficult to wait for our tea addicts to get their fix. Soon we set off and species lists were being recorded and cameras were snapping.
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| Mervyn and Uschi deep in discussion amongst the flowers |
The daisy family (Asteraceae) were the best represented with many Helichrysum species, two Afroaster species and several Berkheya, most numerous being Berkheya speciosa. The Helichrysum ecklonii were at their best with some of the new flowers bright pink.
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| Helichrysum ecklonii |
It was interesting to see two species of Afroaster flowering in close proximity to each other; Afroaster hispida (previously called Aster bakerianus with hairy stalks) and A. serrulatus (previously called Aster harveyanus).
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| Afroaster hispida |
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| Afroaster serrulatus |
Interspersed amongst these were Acalypha peduncularis, Clutia monticola, Eriosema kraussianum, Commelina africana and Hebenstretia dura.
A bit further down the slope in a wetland area the Gladiolus longicollis were flowering well. It is interesting that many of these flowers sport double heads. Not far from these we found a number of spikes of Gladiolus wilsonii.
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| Gladiolus longicollis |
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| Gladiolus wilsonii |
Up tight under a rock outcrop we found several of what we prefer to call Merwilla kraussii as these are so different from M. plumbea (formerly Scilla natalensis). On the rocks above them we were very happy to find Utricularia sandersonii with their pale, delicate flowers.
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| Merwilla kraussii |
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| Utricularia sandersonii |
Also on the rocks we found the only orchid in flower today - a Polystachya pubescens.
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| Polystachya pubescens |
Heading back up the slope we found some of the endemic Lotononis bachmannii in flower, as well as a few Graderia scabra.
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| Lotononis bachmannii |
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| Graderia scabra |
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| Sometimes I think our outings require a health warning |
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| Huddled in the lee of the rocks having lunch. |
Despite the cold conditions, a most successful walk!
Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Mervyn T, Uschi T.
