We gathered at Beacon Hill and decided there
where to go. It was a chilly morning but by the time we set off we had
removed all our jackets and left them in the car. We headed down the hill
noticing some Brunsvigia grandiflora seed heads lying in the grasslands, their seeds scattered
with hope of new plants in the future. The vulnerable Syncolostemon ramulosus was in flower, it scrambled on the ground
with smaller leaves than its cousin. As we headed towards the steam to cross over, we noticed Drosera natalensis growing. They were flourishing after all the rain we
had received. Growing next to them was Utricularia livida and Utricularia prehensilis. Tracy
pulled out Wild Ginger that had escaped from the farmers lands that had washed
down and grew along the stream. Pycnostachys reticulata, Psoralea
glabra and Nuxia floribunda were all flowering. It was hot and we
sought shade, we quickly made our way to Ingrid's Falls. The relief of
the forest brought joy. Wild pig's spoor was found as was bird song.
Along the forest edge we found Maesa lanceolata, Isoglossa cooperi
and Allophylus dregeanus flowering. The Flatid Planthopper Nymphs
caught our attention for a while, they are quite endearing. No matter how slow
the pace was we admired everything. The trees that were fluted and with
their beautiful buttress roots growing laterally. The ancient trees
towered above us. We sat having our lunch at Ingrid's Falls, the rainbow from
the water played against the rocks and our hearts were content. We meandered
home and the show stopper was Moraea spathulata. It was so beautiful
that Gail decided it would be a good subject to paint. The genusname Moraea is a tribute to the English botanist Robert More. The species name spathulata is dervied from th eLatis word "spathulatus" meaning "spatula-shaped"and refers to the shape of the leaves. Helichrysum
adenocarpum subsp. adenocarpum and Helichrysum ecklonis were flowering too
in the late afternoon sun. It had been a wonderful and gentle day.
A day just what one's heart needs from time to time.
 |
Coccinia rehmannii
CUCURBITACEAE
|
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Solanum sp.
SOLANACEAE
 |
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Syncolostemon ramulosus
LAMIACEAE
Vulnerable D2 |
 |
| Genlisea hispidula |
LENTIBULARIACEAE
 |
Utricularia prehensilis
LENTIBULARIACEAE |
 |
Exochaenium sp. nov
GENTIANACEAE
 | Exochaenium grande
GENTIANACEAE
 |
|
 |
Drosera natalensis
DROSERACEAE |
 |
Coleus kirkii
Lamiaceae |
 |
Psoralea glabra
FABACEAE |
 |
Nuxia floribunda
Nuxia floribunda |
 |
Helichrysum auriceps ASTERACEAE |
 |
Lasiosiphon anthylloides
THYMELAEACEAE
 | Crotalaria natalitia var. natalitia
FABACEAE
|
|
 |
Maesa lanceolata
MAESACEAE |
 |
Clematis brachiata
RANUNCULACEAE |
 |
| Tracy and Gai, hands on hips and having a laugh. |
 |
| Ingrid's Falls |
 |
Isoglossa cooperi
ACANTHACEAE
|
 |
Allophylus dregeanus
SAPINDACEAE |
 |
Anastrabe integerrima
STILBACEAE |
 |
| Flatid Planthopper Nymphs. |
 |
| A beautiful old tree. Maggie and Mark. |
 |
| Climbing up a steep embankment after visiting Ingrid's Falls. |
 |
| Maggie, Alf and Mark |
 |
Maggie
|
 |
Photo credit: Tracy
Rabdosiella calycina |
 |
Rabdosiella calycina
LAMIACEAE |
 |
Moraea spathulata
IRIDACEAE
 | | Photo credit: Tracy |
|
 |
Helichrysum ecklonis
ASTERACEAE |
 |
Helichrysum adenocarpum subsp. adenocarpum
ASTERACEAE
 | Photo credit: Tracy
Mark, Maggie and Gail
|
|
 |
Pondoland C.R.E.W.
Gail Bowers-Winters, Tracy Taylor, Alf Hayter, Mark Getliffe and Maggie Abbott |
