As some of had to meet a visitor arriving on a bus shuttle, we made this a walk from the offices at Beacon Hill. We set off along the path stopping at the first forest patch to look for signs of
Eulophia horstfalii. However, unexpectedly we found
Eulophia streptopetala instead. This was sheltering in the shade below a tangle of
Dioscorea dregeana, a plant we needed to collect for a reassessment of the relationship between this species at the coast and the "same" species which grows in Mpumalanga.
Another climber flowering in this small forest patch was
Secamone alpinii.
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| Dioscorea dregeana |
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| Eulophia streptopetala |
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| Secamone alpinii |
We walked on over the grassland towards "Mr Nic's Gully". Here we found a tiny
Burchellia bubalina flowering despite its diminutive size. Crossing the gully we found a large
Eugenia erythrophylla in flower. The grassland in this area was dotted with yellow-flowered
Aspalathus chortophila.
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| A for effort - a stunted Burchellia bubalina |
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| Aspalathus chortophila |
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| Eugenia erythrophylla |
At this stage some of us had to turn back while the others pressed on to skirt around the rocky outcrop at the top of the hill which bears the memorial plaque. Kate stopped on the way back for a brief discourse with Kermit the Frog.
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| On the cliffs above the Bulolo River |
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| Risking it all for a close-up |
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| Kate with Kermit |
Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Rachel B-W, Serf S, Tracy T.
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