A pre-construction survey of Seaview Farm

With the planning for a new 600 mm water pipeline for Ugu District Municipality almost at the final stages, we undertook an inspection of the flora on a pristine grassland section on the farm Seaview, which potentially could be impacted by the construction of the pipeline.

We made an early start as there was potential for rain with the cold front headed up the coast. This section of grassland was burned some time earlier and is now starting to show many of our early spring flowering species. Overnight rain, heavy overcast conditions and a blustery wind made it difficult to get good photos but we were soon recording species at a good rate.

One of the first species to catch our attention was Thunbergia atriplicifolia, accompanied by many of the common spring species, such as Gerbera ambigua, Ocimum obovatum, Hilliardiella oligocephala, and Lasiosiphon kraussianus. Other species seen as we worked our way over a rocky rise were Eriospermum mackenii, Chlorophytum cooperi, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Senecio oxyrifolius.

Thunbergia atriplicifolia

Eriospermum mackenii

Chlorophytum cooperi

Senecio oxyrifolius

 

Hypoxis hemerocallidea

On the top of the rise there were a few bush clumps that we explored. Here we found Haemanthus albiflos and Scadoxus puniceus secreted under the shrubs. One shrub led to some debate - it appeared to be one of the Myrtaceae; it had some features of Syzygium pondoensis and others from Eugenia verdoorniae, but the habitat was wrong for both these species. After consultation later this turned out to be Eugenia simii, a Vulnerable KZN and Pondoland endemic. Unfortunately there was no fertile material for a voucher collection.

Over the top of the rise and heading down to denser riverine forest along the Ivungu River, we saw some Tritonia gladiolaris - these were a lighter shade of orange than we have seen in the past, but still orange rather than yellow which is the "normal" colour for the species.

Tritonia gladiolaris

Nearby we found a single Tephrosia macropoda in flower sprawled over a rock.

Tephrosia macropoda

We then spent time investigating the trees growing on the steep rocky banks above the Ivungu River before working our way down the slope to the river. We were able to get to a small island but could not cross the river without getting wet - not to be considered on this cold and blustery day.

Still the views up and down the Ivungu River here were very pleasant. It is surprising that this site is only a couple of hundred metres from the Masanenge housing development just outside Margate. Growing on the island we found Thunbergia alata - "black-eyed Susan" climbing over the reeds.

Thunbergia alata

View upstream along the Ivungu River

Looking downstream along the Ivungu River

Unsurprisingly, there were a number of Invasive Alien Species along the river banks, including Hedychium gardnerianum. Unable to proceed any further, we turned back. As we scrambled back up the steep bank we were rather surprised to come across Plectranthus oertendahlii, a Rare Pondoland endemic.

Plectranthus oertendahlii

On the way back to the vehicle we found a few Eulophia parviflora and a single, rather stunted, Gladiolus wilsonii.

Gladiolus wilsonii

From this brief visit we were able to compile a list of over 200 species, some of which are of conservation concern. Hopefully this will be taken into account when the final decisions are made on the routing of the pipeline project.

Participants: Anne S, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, and Uschi T.