Pondoland C.R.E.W. Blog: Western Heights 3 October 2024

We headed off to Western Heights in hope that we could see Merwilla plumbea in flower but this was not to be the case as the grassland had not been burnt. These plants that can be found in the swamp area and can be quite breath taking if one is lucky enough to see fields of blue.

We meandered around a bit and Tracy found Raphionacme palustris which is endemic to the area. This is a tuberous geophyte. In the long grass there is no chance of finding this small flower.

As we drove, we came across herds of cattle. These have become the local residents to the area and we have lost the battle in getting these bovines out. The herdsmen set fire to this reserve so that the cattle can have good grazing. It's heart breaking to see cattle kicking up the earth with their hooves and eating the flowers. Several Boophone disticha's could be seen lying scattered around thanks to hooves.

We stopped near The Iron Crown in hope to find Boophone disticha in flower. We were in luck. They were awakening! What a glorious scent they have. Boophone disticha is part of the beautiful Amarylidaceae family and a flagship in this family for its widespread ethnic use in traditional medicine. The San communities used the plant on their arrows for dart poisoning. Compounds extracted have shown promise in the use against some forms of cancer. This plants too has veterinary uses and it has been suggested that vultures and other carrion birds eat the plant to prevent harm from ingestion of putrid flesh and to sharpen vision. Ref: Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk

We skirted the edge of the forest and found Anenome afra. What a magnificent flower this is and when one turns the flower over it has delicate pink hues on the petals. This species when used with Athrixia heterophylla is used to treat mental diseases. It is also believed that the roots are used to induce forgetfulness in children and help with weaning of toddlers and babies. Ref: Sciencedirect.com

The endemics we found were Raphionacme palustris,Eriosema umtamvunense is "Endangered". Lotononis bachmanniana is and Kniphofia coddiana are "Near threatened". Certainly plants are now more threatened and vulnerable with cattle being left freely to live and graze. Our wildflowers are under threat when populations continue to build and not conserve the ever-diminishing grasslands. These plants do need to be documented and specimens placed in herbariums.