Smedmore grassland and forest (Thursday, 4th January, 2018)

Although we had originally intended walking on the Western Heights, faced with a hot, clear day we decided that Smedmore might be a better option, as it allowed us the option of escaping into the forest if the sun got too hot. An added attraction at Smedmore was the opportunity to look for an elusive species of Pachycarpus thought to be an undescribed species - a plant last seen in 2013. On the way there we stopped to look at a beautiful Gladiolus ochroleucus growing near the road.

Gladiolus ochroleucus

We arrived to a frenzied welcome from hyperactive pugnacious ants - and those in shorts and open shoes were soon hopping to get away from their biting. We explored along the forested cliff edge, coming across Pachycarpus coronarius - first some in fruit and then a little further on, some in flower. 

Pachycarpus coronarius

We found some scattered flowers of Cryptolepis capensis draped over other shrubbery and below it a creeping frond of Cyphostemma rubroglandulosa displayed some large fruits. Between some rocks we saw a very intense-blue Agapanthus campanulatus. Old seed capsules on a Bersama swinnyi made an interesting photo.

Cryptolepis capensis

Cyphostemma rubroglandulosa fruits

Bersama swinnyi seed capsules

There were two Combretum species exposed at the top edge of the cliffs. Combretum kraussii had bright red fruits and was more spectacular than the scrambling Combretum edwardsii with its normal straw-coloured fruits. There was an Erianthemum dregei just starting to flower and we found Manilkara nicholsonii bearing a number of fruits, most of which become parasitised.

Combretum kraussii

Erianthemum kraussii

Manilkara nicholsonii fruits

Flowers on a cliff-side Schrebera alata were the next thing to catch the eye. The climber, Secamone alpinii was also flowering profusely and in the background we could see bright red fruits on an Allocassine laurifolia. There was an unusual low shrubby Acridocarpus natalitius covered in yellow flowers.

Schrebera alata

Secamone alpinii

Allocassine laurifolia fruits

Acridocarpus natalitius

Then we found the Pachycarpus species we had been looking for for so long. And this time there were several flowers so we could collect voucher material which should allow for a proper description of this as yet undescribed species.

By now the sun was really making itself felt so we turned back after stopping to look at the flowers on a Acacia (Senegalia) ataxacantha and the Dalechampia capensis climbing over it. A little further on we found clusters of Viscum trifolium growing in a Garcinia gerrardii, and below this was Clerodendrum (Volkameria) glabrum.

Acacia ataxacantha

Dalechampia capensis

Viscum trifolium

Volkameria glabra

We found our way into the cool of the forest to have our lunch. None of the expected Stenoglottis fimbriata were flowering on this occasion, but Strepocarpus primulifolius  were flowering on the cliffs above us. There were also signs of Disperis lindleyana having flowered earlier.

After lunch we headed out to an adjoining section of the grassland to help some Wits students track down another elusive species, Euphorbia bupleurifolia -  we found no sign of them but after we left they persisted and eventually found four plants. Almost back at the vehicles we found a few more of the undescribed Pachycarpus species - it is reassuring to see that they appear to be doing quite well in this area.


Participants: Anne S, Debbie K, Dorothy M, Elaine G, Graham G, Jean P, Kate G, Maggie A, Mark G