Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog: Spring has sprung; walking at the Red Desert Nature Reserve (Thursday 18 July 2019)

With the first of the usual arson fires at the Red Desert Nature Reserve having occurred about six weeks ago, we decided to walk there to see what had emerged since the fire. The first burned section started just inside the inland boundary fence so we were soon amongst the early spring flowers.

Many blue-flowered Afroaster hispidus were the first found, followed by Lasiosiphon kraussianus. Nestled among the yellow flowers was a very well-camouflaged mantis. There were also a few Ledebouria revoluta and Hypoxis argentea.

Afroaster hispidus

Lasiosiphon kraussianus

A camouflaged mantis hidden in the flower

Ledebouria revoluta

Hypoxis argentea

We crossed the track and descended towards a wetland passing a few Aloe maculata. In the wetland the Kniphofia rooperii were in various stages of flowering and there was a scattering of Dissotis canescens. On the other side of the wetland we came across some Tritonia gladiolaris.

Aloe maculata

Tritonia gladiolaris

In this area there were several species of Helichrysum: H. griseum, H. areum var monocephalum and H. pallidum. There were also a few low Berkheya speciosa, some Lobelia tomentosa and hiding at the base of the tall grass stems, several Ophioglossum reticulatum.

Helichrysum griseum

Helichrysum pallidum

Helichrysum aureum var monocephalum

Berkheya speciosa

Dissotis canescens

Kniphofia rooperii

Ophioglossum reticulatum

Lobelia tomentosa

We climbed a low hill and below this we could see a sea of flowers, a veritable feast of Asteraceae. Ocimum obovatum dotted the area and there were isolated Hilliardiella oligocephala as well as a few Eulophia clitellifera.

Ocimum obovatum

Lasiosiphon kraussianus young leaves

Hilliardiella oligocephala

Eulophia clitellifera

At the bottom of the slope we could see the bright gold flowers of clusters of Berkheya insignis, as well as a a few species of Senecio: S bupleurioides, S discodregeanus and S. oxyriifolius.

Berkheya insignis

Senecio bupleurioides

Senecio discodregeanus

Senecio oxyriifolius

Ursinia tenuiloba

We saw one or two Cyanotis speciosa and small patches of Ursinia tenuiloba. Walking over towards a wetland we encountered Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus, scattered Lotononis bachmanniana (Near Threatened) and some early Wurmbea kraussii.

Cyanotis speciosa

Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus

Lotononis bachmanniana

Wurmbea kraussii

At the top of the next rise we found a host of Senecio and Ascolepis capensis. On the margin of a wet area there were a few early Disa similis, a portent of good sights to come in the next few weeks. Up into the drier hilltop we found Gazania krebsiana and isolated Gerbera ambigua.

Disa similis

Gazania krebsiana

Gerbera ambigua

Floral splendour

In the next dip we found some Osmunda regalis. Gail captured a closeup of the sporangia and when these were touched they dispersed puffs of green spores.

Osmunda regalis

Closeup of sporangia of Osmunda regalis (Photo: Gail B-W)

Up on the next slope there were some Osteospermum imbricatum and a single Othonna natalensis as well as patches of Oxygonum dregeanum. From the top of the hill we could see the patchwork of random arson burns.

Osteospermum imbricatum

Othonna natalensis

Oxygonum dregeanum

Scattering of arson burns

Pelargonium luridum

On these slopes we found a Pelargonium luridum and several Raphionacme galpinii. When we found some Hebenstretia comosa, Tracy came running to see one of her favourite species.

Raphionacme galpinii

Tracy getting up close for a good photo.

Hebenstretia comosa

We found a shady spot under some trees and stopped for lunch. Nearby was another, more recent burn and here we found Cyrtanthus breviflorus, stimulated by the fire. Closer to the track was a patch of Phylica natalensis (Vulnerable). We took time to negotiate the stone maze in the slack between two yardangs of the eponymous "red desert". On the way home we made a brief stop at the Banners Rest triangle where we saw more of the same species we had seen at the Red Desert, apart from a few Cyrtanthus contractus.