Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog: 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.