Smedmore 26 January 2023

We decided to revisit the Smedmore forest in the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve as there was a lot to be discovered.  It had rained profusely and although the rocks were covered in moss and lichen, we couldn't wait to explore the forest further down where we had seldom visited.  

The first discovery was the near threatened Gymnosporia vanwykii which was absent of its armed spines!  One could easily walk past this shrub without a second glance.

Two fortnights ago the hillside looked very different and now the Watsonia densiflorus were in flower their pink heads high above the grass and scattered amongst them was Alepidea penduncularis. The delicate heads of Indigastrum fastigiatum made the slopes a bank of pink.  We didn't waste time getting into the forest and tried to press on further than where we had been before.  

Bracken fungus grew on decaying trunks and fungi of all sorts had sprung up after the rains.  It was treacherous to walk as the forest floor was wet and the rocks slippery.  The forest seemed even more enchanting and this seemed the place where fairy tales arrived.  One totally expected to see elves and fairies pop out under mushrooms and ancient Tolken tree trunks.  One's heart is at peace in the forest and the silence is welcomed and has a great sense comfort in this busy world. 

It was again a day where we appreciated all that we had found.  Spirits were high and students eager to learn.  The day was filled with humor.  How lovely it is to both learn and laugh.

Gymnosporia vanwykii
CELASTRACEAE
Pondo Spikethorn
Near Threatened A2c; B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)

Atalaya natalensis
SAPINDACEAE
Forest Krantz Ash
Near Threatened B2ab(v)

Every spider imaginable in the forest.

Watsonia densiflora
IRIDACEAE

Meandering down the slopes through the Watsonia's and Alepidea's and into the Smedmore forest. 

Alepidea peduncularis
APIACEAE

Bachmannia woodii
BRASSICACEAE
Four-finger Bush

Canthium spinosum
RUBIACEAE
Coastal Turkey-berry 

Carissa bispinosa
APOCYNACEAE
Small Amatungulu

Casearia astroafricana 
SALICACEAE

Cyphostemma hypoleucum
VITACEAE
Double-barrel Vine

Drypetes gerrardii var. gerrardii
PUTRANJIVACEAE
Forest Ironwood 

Fungi sp.

Garcinia gerrardii
CLUSIACEAE
Forest Mangosteen

Homalium dentatum 
SALICACEAE
Brown Ironwood

Ancient trees

The tree that holds all the secrets.

Tracy capturing fungi on the moist forest floor.

Bracket fungus

Looking up at the krantz above.

Mark looking up high above where it is quite impossible to ascend.

Simon, Uschi and Dorothy in studying the material Simon collected for ID's.

An old tree that rests upon a giant boulder.

A colossal boulder that rests in the forest.

This must be the giants throne.

Eugenia sp. 
MYRTACEAE

Simon keeping us all entertained with his sense of humour.  

Pachycarpus sp.
APOCYNACEAE

Indigastrum fastigiatum
FABACEAE
Slender Indigo 

Monsonia natalensis
GERANIACEAE

Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa
OLEACEAE
Ironwood

Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. gerrardii
RUBIACEAE
Southern Whipstick Loquat 

Rawsonia lucida
ACHARIACEAE
Forest-peach

Rhoicissus tomentosa
VITACEAE
Common Forest Grape

Rinorea domatiosa 
VIOLACEAE
Pondo Violet-bush

Rinorea domatiosa and Rinorea angustifolia subsp. natalensis

Syzygium gerrardii 
MYRTACEAE
Forest Waterberry 

Trichocladus ellipticus subsp. ellipticus
HAMAMELIDACEAE
White Witch-hazel 

Vachellia natalitia 
Natal Thorn
FABACEAE

Oricia bachmannii
RUTACEAE
Twin-berry Tree 

Strolling reluctantly home.  

Pondoland C.R.E.W.

Bottom from left: Anne Skelton, Simon Hicks, Uschi Teicher,
Dorothy McIntyre, Hillary,
 Top from left: Tracy Taylor, Mark Getliffe and Gail Bowers-Winters

“If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.”

― Hal Borland