A Botsoc visit to the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve (Sunday 6 October 2019)

An invitation to visit the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve was extended to the KZN coastal branch of the Botanical Society and after some deliberation about the date most likely to coincide with a good display of flowers, an outing was arranged for Sunday 6 October. Setting a date in advance is always a risk because the appearance of flowers is dependent on so many conditions. As the day drew nearer, we became increasingly concerned about the dry, hot and windy conditions. However, the timing of the controlled burn of sections of grassland surrounding the Beacon Hill office worked together with the subsequent occasional rains to produce a splendid display.

With little opportunity to take photos ourselves while pointing out our various plants we are grateful to those who subsequently sent photos of the event and these are included below.

Photo; Tim M

Photo; Tim M

The outing was well attended, with about 30 plant enthusiasts willing to walk the grasslands and brave the heat of the day. The Asteraceae species were predominant, with swathes of Berkheya, Senecio and Helichrysum as far as the eye could see. In amongst them and in the rock gardens there were many smaller plants waiting to be investigated. The sandstone outcrops were dotted with pockets of small yellow orchids and blue-flowered bulbs, an astonishing contrast to the bare rock. The early orchids put in an appearance, many of them preferring the damp grassland. Some of the many endemic species of conservation concern were also on display, such as Kniphofia coddiana (Near Threatened) and Eriosema umtamvunense (Endangered).

Photo; Lerato M

Photo; Lerato M

Returning to the car park at midday, the visitors had their lunch in the welcome shade while enjoying the views of the gorge. While some decided to start the long return trip to Durban after lunch, the remaining group did a short walk to the wetland area before calling it a day.

By all accounts, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the outing, to the extent that the possibility of this becoming an annual event was mentioned. We welcomed the opportunity to promote the splendours of the Umtamvuna reserve, particularly to such a receptive audience.

Photo; Kathy M

Photo; Kathy M