A wet walk to Ingrid's Falls (Thursday 31 October 2019)

It was about time for any Disa caffra to be flowering and so, despite the threatening condition, wet grass and occasional showers, we set off coastwards from Beacon Hill to explore the localities where weusually find them. On the way we found Crassula vaginata, Dianthus mooiensis and a single Cycnium racemosum.

Crassula vaginata

Cycnium racemosum

Dianthus mooiensis

When we reached the swampy area at the first stream we found several Watsonia pillansii flowering in shades from pale orange to a reddish pink. In view of the fact that this species is known to hybridise with other Watsonia species, we took specimens for measurement and comparison. The various specimens matched the diagnostic characteristics of W. pillansii, confirming that they are different colour forms of W. pillansii and not hybrids.

Varied colours of Watsonia pillansii

Watsonia pillansii

On the other side of the stream we found several Silene burchellii in full flower, from cream to pale pink or yellow. This is unusual as these flowers generally seem to flower in poor light conditions, so presumably the drizzly weather allowed them to stay open later than normal.

On top of a large cluster of boulders we found a Cineraria albicans in flower. Further along there were several Lotononis meyerii. Those in the burned fire-break had no flowers but there was one sizeable bush in the adjacent grassland which was covered in the white/pale pink flowers. In this area there were also several Aristea gerrardii.

Silene burchellii

Cineraria albicans

Aristea gerrardii

Lotononis meyeri

We reached the boggy area just before the next stream and here found a scattering of Disa caffra flowers. We crossed the stream to the opposite grassland but failed to find any more, presumably because it had not been burned. However there were several Satyrium trinerve peering through the grass. There were also some tall Cephalaria oblongifolia stalks with white flowers flushed with pink anthers.

Disa caffra

Cephalaria oblongifolia

Satyrium trinerve

Further  along the stream we found a patch of the "Royal fern" Osmunda regalis with some of the fertile fronds proudly exposed. In a small pool in the stream we found a newly opened bud on a Nymphaea nouchali var caerulea.

Osmunda regalis

Nymphaea nouchali var caerulea

We stopped to have an early lunch overlooking the Bulolo River gorge at a spot close to Ingrid's Falls. Very little water was flowing over the falls as we have had low rainfall in October.

Overlooking the Bulolo River gorge

Crossing back just above Ingrid's Falls, we found a conveniently flowering Syzygium cordatum just before the rain set in more heavily and hastened our steps back to the office.

Syzygium cordatum

Facing duck weather on the way back

Participants: Alf H, Anne S, Dorothy M, Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A.