Manlikara 4 May 2023

Manilkara Meander it was.  In slow paces we trod with the terrain being incredibly rocky and one could easily find oneself with a twisted ankle.  The view was spectacular as always as is it always hot.  We observed Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta calyxes under the loupe for a while and one wished to have the eye sight of this magnifying glass.  The butterflies skipped and danced. Phymaspermum acerosum, Gymnanthemum corymbosum, Pimpinella caffra, Wahlenbergia capillata, Notobubon laevigatum, Lotononis eriocarpa, Syncolostemon rotundifolius flowered on the hillside.  Anne and Tracy de-barked an invasive Wattle that was growing in the reserve.  We came across our indigenous Lantana rugosa, it was safe.  At lunch time we meandered into the forest.  We came across huge trees and one simply couldn't identify them for their canopy was in the sky and the leaves too far away to verify their identity.  We came across fresh Bush-buck droppings which was so lovely to see as this reserve is not known for its wildlife and only its poaching.  In the forest we found Hypoestes forskaolii and Isoglossa ciliata flowering.  Gail came across Calodendrum capense seed lying on the forest floor.   Although mostly common species were found the day nevertheless was wonderful.

Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta
RUBIACEAE

Looking at the calyx on the Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta

Tracy admiring the flowers and pollinators on the Bush-tick Berry

Osteospermum moniliferum subsp. moniliferum
ASTERACEAE

Phymaspermum acerosum
ASTERACEAE

Crassula obovata var. obovata
CRASSULACEAE

Ficus glumosa
MORACEAE

Lantana rugosa
VERBENACEAE

Senecio albanensis var. doroniciflorus
ASTERACEAE 

Gymnanthemum corymbosum
( Vernonia tigna)
ASTERACEAE

Searsia crenata
ANACARDIACEAE 

Tracy and Anne ring-barking an invasive Wattle that was growing in the reserve.

Hypoestes forskaolii
ACANTHACEAE 

Alf standing next to an ancient tree growing in the forest.

Alf talking in the magnificent forest.

Antidesma venosum
PHYLLANTHACEAE

Pimpinella caffra
APIACEAE

Wahlenbergia capillata
CAMPANULACEAE

Anne, Alf and Hillary.

Notobubon laevigatum
APIACEAE 

Lotononis eriocarpa
FABACEAE

Syncolostemon rotundifolius
LAMIACEAE 

Pondoland C.R.E.W.
Maggie, Hillary, Anne, Tracy, Alf and Gail

“Looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind.”
― Amit Ray