Two grasslands: one good, one disturbed. (Thursday 18 October 2018)

With a commitment to walk a surveyed line later in the morning, we managed to squeeze a short walk in at a small grassland south of Margate beforehand. And this part of the walk proved to be a treat as the grassland was sparkling after overnight rain and, as there had been a fire on this stand earlier in the year, the flowers were out in force.

The Tritonia disticia were waving their elongated inflorescences in the breeze, while at our feet the flowers of Dolichos falciformis, Oxygonum dregeanum and Ophrestia oblongifolia tried to catch the attention through the grass. Vigna vexillata creepers pushed their purple pea-like flowers out on long stalks and Heliophila elongata held their flowers even higher at the ends of their long stems.

Tritonia disticia var disticha

Dolichos falciformis

Oxygonum dregeanum flowers

Heliophila elongata

Vigna vexillata var angustifolia

We made our way over a low rise and were rewarded by finding several brightly-flowering Eriosema luteopetalum shrubs. This narrow-endemic species is currently listed as Least Concern in the Red List but it has been agreed that this species needs reassessment because of extensive habitat loss in the small area in which it occurs. We currently know of very few populations and they are not protected.

Scattered around were some of the most robust Hypoxis colchicifolia any of us had seen.

Eriosema luteopetalum

Hypoxis colchicifolia

Once over the brow of the rise we came to a small wetland where Watsonia pillansii had evidently been flowering well, although there were only a few plants still in flower. Amongst these were some Senecio speciosa. Up on a sandy slope we found a few Eucomis autumnalis, Aspalathus spinifera and Orthochilus foliosus. In the shade of some trees we found a cluster of Albuca bracteata with small flowers at the end of a very tall flower stalk.

Senecio speciosa

Watsonia pillansii 

Eucomis autumnalis

Albuca bracteata

Aspalathus spinifera

Orthochilus foliosus

We had to leave this good example of coastal grassland to head for our meeting at the site of a proposed pipeline construction project at the "Seaslopes" property near the Margate airport. The Ugu District Municipality is in the process of upgrading the water supply to the area and needs to traverse this grassland to do so. We were asked to walk the proposed pipeline alignment to determine if there were any plants of conservation concern that might require rescuing before construction commences. We met with representatives of the consulting firm involved in the project and set off close on the heels of the surveyor who was pegging the line identified as the preferred route by KZN Wildlife (with the aid of our input on the plants).

As we started off we came across some ruderal species like Cynoglossum geometricum and Hibiscus surratensis amongst the tall grass in this relatively depauperate secondary grassland. The only plant we found on the line between the two reservoir complexes on the site was the endemic Senecio erubescens var. incisus and we tagged several of these plants to serve as a guide to the company tasked with the rescue project.

Once we reached the lower reservoirs, we followed the proposed route planned for the incoming pipeline onto the Seaslopes site.  At the edge of a dense stand of invasive alien species and litter, we found a small cluster of Eriosema lutelopetalum, which we also marked for rescue.

Cynoglossum geometricum

Hibiscus suratensis

Walking the proposed track of the new pipeline at the Seaslopes site

Senecio erubescens var. incisus

Having concluded our "work" for the morning we could enjoy the undisturbed portion of the Seaslopes site at our leisure. This part of the site is to be afforded protection as a conservation area not only because of the plants we have listed in the past but also because some rare butterfly species have been recorded here too (Durbania sp.)

We walked on finding Delosperma caespitosum and Ophioglossum reticulatum in the grassland. Towards the stream we found a wet area resulting from two leaks in an UGU pipeline - some plants had taken advantage of these wet conditions and we found Utricularia prehensilis and a cluster of Drosera natalensis. The stream crossing had been churned up by 4x4 or quadbikes and the authorities will need to prevent vehicular access to the new conservation site in future.

Delosperma caespitosum

Ophioglossum reticulatum

Monopsis unidentata

Utriculata prehensilis

While trying to get the perfect shot of a Drosera, Elaine managed to sink knee-deep into the mud and needed a hand to extricate herself - Mark wielding the tow-scarf is just out of shot on the left. We all subsequently enjoyed seeing Elaine take advantage of one of the pipe leaks to wash off most of the mud.

Elaine being rescued from the bog

Fortunately there was a leaking water pipe nearby for a decontamination job

There were some good Eriocaulon dregei growing at the streamside and we found a single Dianthus mooiensis with a bagworm perched on top.

We look forward to this site getting the protection it has needed for some time. With good management this can become an asset for the Margate community.

Eriocaulon dregei

Dianthus mooiensis with bagworm

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Elaine L, Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Mark G, Peter M, Tracy T.

Showcasing Pondoland orchids to international visitors (Sunday 14 October 2018)

A few weeks earier we had been contacted by Dr. Timo van der Niet from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg to say that he would have a group of botanists visiting from China who would like to see South African orchids in the wild and he wondered whether a visit to the Port Edward area would be worthwhile. We undertook to keep an eye on what orchids were flowering closer to the time of their trip and fortunately we had quite a lot to offer when the time arrived.

We arranged to all meet at the hotel in Port Edward where the Chinese visitors had spent the night. I arrived before Timo and his colleagues so I introduced myself to Prof. Huang, Vice President of the Chenshan Botanical Gardens in Shanghai, China and his two colleagues Kai Jiang and Qi Wang. It was not long before Timo arrived with his two colleagues, Miguel Castañeda-Zárate and Daichi Funamoto. 

We made up a very cosmopolitan group as we set off to the first grassland I had targeted for visiting, the Rennie's Beach portion of the Red Desert Nature Reserve. It was not long before we found the first terrestrial orchids, Disa versicolor and then we were among many Disa similis.

Looking at the first orchids of the day (In front, Daichi Funamoto and
behind from left, Qi Wang, Kai Jiang and Timo v d Niet)

Prof. Huang admiring an unusual coloured Disa woodii

Disa versicolor

Disa similis

On orange variant of the normally yellow Disa woodii

We crossed a small stream to see if there were any other orchid species flowering closer to the sea but apart from everyone enjoying the sight of Harveya speciosa, we failed to find more.

Harveya speciosa

We then drove up to the Beacon Hill entrance to the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve and after briefly meeting with the Reserve Manager, Enoch Mahlangu, we set off to find more orchids. This was relatively easily done as there was a good collection of lithophytic species on the rocks near the reserve offices. Here we found a cluster of Polystachya pubescens, which Prof. Huang had seen when he visited the orchid show in Durban the previous day. Nearby was a Cyrtorchis arcuata flowering in a cluster of other lithophytes, including Polystachya pubescens, Tridactyle bicaudata subsp. rupestris and Rangaeris muscicola. The latter two species were not yet flowering.

Polystachya pubescens

Cyrtorchis arcuata

We then walked down the slope for a short distance, finding Disa stachyoides, Eulophia hians and several of the leafless form of Satyrium longicauda. This latter species is the subject of Miguel's PhD research project. Lower down the slope in a much wetter grassland section, he was very gratified to see the two-leafed form of Satyrium longicauda in large numbers. When he visited this same area in 2017, the conditions were less optimal for the Satyrium and there were far fewer flowers.

Eulophia hians

Disa stachyoides

A cluster of the wetland form of Satyrium longicauda

We headed over the next rise and down to the next stream where we found many Disa caffra and Satyrium trinerve, and this required a lengthy stop for photographs. Taking a route back via the top of Ingrid's Falls to give the visitors a view of the Bulolo River gorge, we saw the last orchid species for the day, a lone Disa tripetaloides growing at the side of the stream.

Pausing on the way back to look at two flowering members of the Proteaceae, Protea caffra and Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. oribinum, it was time for everyone to head homeward. It was certainly a privilege to share some of our floral riches with such a knowledgeable and appreciative group.

Disa caffra

Satyrium trinerve

Disa tripetaloides

Participants: (From L to R in photo above): Kathy  (tour guide), Qi Wang, Kai Jiang, Prof. Weichang Huang, Dr. Timo v d Niet, Graham Grieve, Daichi Funamoto, Miguel Castañeda-Zárate

A hot day at Manilkara Meander (Thursday 11 October 2018)

As it had been some time since we visited the more inland areas of the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve and knowing that these areas had been burned, we decided to visit Manilkara Meander for this Thursday's walk. The grassland had recovered well after the fire and there were many flowers in evidence. The first of these was Convolvulus natalensis holding its greenish-white flowers close to the ground. Nearby was a small cluster of Hybanthus enneaspermus. We also found several Gnidia coriacea - we had previously identified these as Gnidia baurii but the latter is very hairy.

Convolvulus natalensis

Gnidia coriacea

Hybanthus enneaspermus

There were also many red flowered Indigofera hilaris in the open grassland. Dotted around were several Othonna natalensis sporting their interesting seed heads. We then reached the forested fringe of the krans line and started finding flowering trees. The first of these was Erythroxylum pictum with single axilliary flowers. A bit further along we found Canthium vanwykii flowering profusely. Nearby was Homalium rufescens with an impressive spray of flowers. We were to see several of this species on this walk, all flowering well.

Indigofera hilaris

The seed head of Othonna natalensis

Erythroxylum pictum

Canthium vanwykii

Homalium rufescens

In the grassland at the forest margin was a Polygala macowanii and next to it was a Searsia lucida with most of the branchlets showing flower spikes. We then came across a particularly impressive example of a flowering Homalium rufescens growing together with a Rhyochocalyx lawsonoides bearing a heavy crop of buds - in a week or so this will be a very showy tree. At its base, tangled among the undergrowth was a Sarcostemma viminale bearing a single fruit.

Polygala macowanii

Searsia lucida

Rhynchocalyx lawsonoides

Sarcostemma viminale follicle

Following the krans edge around a corner to an area of greater sun exposure, we found a Carissa bispinosa with small clusters of star-like white flowers. After most of us had walked on, Gail spotted something we had all missed. First there was a tangled cluster of Salacia gerrardii with greenish-yellow flowers and tucked in amongst this tangle was a colony of flowering Polystachya sandersonii.

Carissa bispinosa

Salacia gerrardii

Polystachya sandersonii

Out in the open was a Raphionacme gerrardii with some unobtrusive open green flowers. Further along the cliffs we found Vangueria infausta in flower and in a small, shallow depression in a rock sheet, accompanied by several small Delosperma subpetiolatum, there was a group of the tiny Drimia uniflora. Each flower is held on its own stalk and is only about 3 mm long.

Raphionacme galpinii

Vangueria infausta

Drimia uniflora

Euryops brevipapposus

Euryops brevipapposus was a fairly common plant along these sun-drenched cliffs. Looking over the edge in one place we found a Combretum kraussii with its tell-tale white leaves surrounding the clusters of flowers. In the grassland on the way back to the vehicles we found a few of the Vulnerable endemic Watsonia inclinata.

Combretum kraussii

A view of the forest from the clifftops showing the white patches of Combretum kraussii

Watsonia inclinata

We then headed to Smedmore to enjoy our lunch in the forest and out of the baking sun. At the entrance to the forest we found some clumps of Acalypha wilmsii. Once into the welcome shade of the tall trees we found two common species of fern, Asplenium gemmiferum and Asplenium rutifolium and the photos below show the spore patterns of these two species.

Acalypha wilmsii

Asplenium gemmifera

Asplenium rutifolium

At our chosen lunch spot we were surrounded by undergrowth vegetation, including Bachmannia woodii with clusters of fruits, the forest floor hugging Justicia tubulosa and a large Vangueria macrocalyx (recently renamed from Pachystigma macrocalyx), flowering profusely.

Bachmannia woodii

Justicia tubulosa

Vangueria macrocalyx

Back out in the open we stopped at the edge of the forest to collect a specimen of Dioscorea dregeana - this is intended to assist with the resurrection of an old, but unpublished name for this subspecies that differs from the one found in Mpumalanga. Out in the grassland we found Hilliardiella aristata and looking back at the forest we saw a fine tree-top display of flowers on a climbing Strophanthus speciosus. Tucked into the undergrowth at the forest edge was a small Diospyros lycioides and hanging down from a tree was a Tragia sp. with a couple of flowers.

Hilliardiella aristata

Diospyros lycioides

Strophanthus speciosus

Tragia sp.

Participants: Anne S, Colin T, Dorothy M. Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Tracy T.