Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog: Beacon Hill 18 January 2024

The previous night the Umtamvuna had received 90 mm of rain and so in gumboots we met after it was reported that the sky was blue and the afternoon was not forecasted to rain. We had received so much rain over the December and January period that it was so good to walk out in nature and see what was flowering. The earth was seriously drenched and water bubbled out everywhere. The plants were so luscious. The sound of water flowering down Mr Nic's Gully was deafening and one couldn't hear another speak. We set out toward the Mannhaar in search of orchids.

Eulophia ensata (Orthochilus ensatus) caught our eye, it’s quite a striking orchid and these were deep yellow. This orchid comes both in white and yellow and the yellow variety which we found flowers between December and January. This orchid can grow between 300mm to 1m tall. The sepals and petals are almost bell-shaped and it’s pollinated by scarab beetles.

Orthochilus ensatus
ORCHIDACEAE

We found Rangaeris muscicola growing on the rocks, some had already produced seed capsules. The flowers are white and turn yellow with age. These orchids are found occasionally on trees in riverine forest or exposed on sandstone. It too flowers between December and January.

Rangaeris muscicola
ORCHIDACEAE

Habenaria dives grew along the path and Striga bilabiata subsp. bilabiata always makes us look twice as they can look similiar.Bulbophyllum scaberulum var. scaberulum flowers were begining to open.

Habenaria dives
ORCHIDACEAE

Striga bilabiata subsp. bilabiata
OROBANCHACEAE

Bulbophyllum scaberulum var. scaberulum
ORCHIDACEAE

Satyrium trinerve grew along the bank at Mr Nic's Gully. This orchid likes wet soils and is pollinated by beetles. It flowers between October and February.

Satyrium trinerve
ORCHIDACEAE

On the lower terraces we found several Habenaria pseudociliosa. This is a slender and robust orchid which is found in damp grasslands.

Habenaria pseudociliosa
ORCHIDACEAE

The Bikini falls from the Western Heights slopes.

Podalyria burchellii
FABACEAE

The rocks were full of water and Utricularia subulata and Utricularia livida thrived. It was truly magical to look down and see this wonderland of tiny plants. On the lower terraces we found the miniscule Drimia uniflora. The flower is the size of a pin head. Both Aristea angolensis angolensis and Aristea torulosa were flowering and had their stalks full of ripening seed. Dissotis canescens flowered in the marsh. This plant's is also known as the Pink Wild Tibouchina and makes a good garden specimen. It flowers between December and April.

Utricularia subulata
LENTIBULARIACEAE

Drimia uniflora
HYACINTHACEAE

Utricularia livida
LENTIBULARIACEAE

Aristea torulosa
IRIDACEAE

Aristea angolensis angolensis
IRIDACEAE

Argyrella canescens

was known as Dissotis canescens

MELASTOMATACEAE

On the rocks Anne found Erica cubica and Brachystelma australe. Growning in a clump of grass there was a Brachystelma australe that had several flowers and we gwaked at it for quite some time as it was truly beautiful and had to force ourselves away. These tiny little flowers are only 2 cm's and they vary considerably in colour and pattening. Some plants have hairs whilst others are hairless. They grow on shallow soil pockets overlying weathered sandstone. The Watsonia densiflorus seemed to be more pink than ever.

Anne inspecting with her inspector stick.

Erica cubica
ERICACEAE

Brachystelma australe
APOCYNACEAE
South African endemic

After our lunch sitting on rocks looking at the falls from The Bikni we meandered down to the lower terraces, and found Tinnia galpinii, Pentanisia angustifolia, Indigofera herrstreyii and Sisyranthus virgatus. The gorgeous Hyperacanthus amoenus was flowering profusely.