On this field day, the Pondoland CREW group convened at
our usual meeting point on Beacon Hill. We were pleased to welcome Lulu and
Maike, who joined us for the day’s survey. Lulu generously brought homemade
lemon cordial, prepared from lemons from her tree in Gauteng—a thoughtful
gesture warmly received by the group.
Our team proceeded in convoy, travelling cautiously
through Western Heights, where cattle are unfortunately still present within the
reserve. We made our way to the far end of the track, stopping at The Iron
Crown, specifically to record Erica cerinthoides, which had been in
flower for several weeks. Although past peak, we were fortunate to observe the
final flush of its brilliant coral-red blooms, standing out vividly against the
senescing grasses. This species, known for its fire-adapted ecology, remains
visually striking even at the tail end of its flowering phase.
On the rocky outcrops near the cliff edge, we located Centella
glabrata, nestled in crevices where moisture lingers slightly longer. Further
into the grassland, the team encountered numerous individuals of Eulophia
parviflora, flowering prolifically. The population included both long-spurred
and short-spurred forms, and we made comparative notes on individuals bearing leaves
versus those flowering while still leafless—a known trait within this genus
where flowering often precedes foliage emergence.
The survey pace was measured, allowing for detailed
observations. Among the rocky patches, Burchellia bubalina was recorded in
its uncommon red-flowered form. This species is typically orange-flowered, and
we reflected on a rare yellow-flowered form previously observed in the region.
The specimen observed was robust, demonstrating the species' well-known
hardiness.
In the dappled shade beneath isolated trees, we recorded
several moisture-stressed individuals, including Haemanthus albiflos, Crassula
sarmentosa var. integrifolia, and Crassula perfoliata var. heterotricha.
All showed signs of drought stress, indicative of the current dry conditions
and the urgent need for seasonal rainfall.
As the group returned to the vehicles, a final highlight
emerged. Ushi observed a flowering Moraea, and closer inspection confirmed it
as Moraea elliotii, identified by its characteristic long basal leaf.
True to its species behaviour, the flower had opened in the early afternoon—M.
elliotii is known for its precise phenology, with blooms reliably appearing
at approximately 14:00, and each lasting only for the duration of a single day.
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| Erica cerinthoides ERICACEAE |
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| Lulu and her daughter Maike. |
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| Centella glabrata APIACEAE |
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| "Where there's smoke, there's fire." |
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| The valley below The Iron Crown |
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| Burchellia bubalina RUBIACEAE |
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| Haemanthus albiflos AMARYLLIDACEAE |
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| Crassula sarmentosa var. integrifolia CRASSULACEAE South African endemic |
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| Crassula perfoliata var. heterotricha CRASSULACEAE South African endemic Moraea elliotii is a
geophytic species belonging to the family Iridaceae. It survives extended dry
periods by storing energy in an underground corm and emerges to flower only
when environmental conditions—typically after rain—are favourable. The species
is notable for its phenological precision: the delicate, powder-blue flowers
open consistently in the early afternoon, around 2 o’clock, and each bloom
lasts for just a single day. The plant bears narrow, grass-like leaves that blend effectively into the surrounding vegetation, offering natural camouflage from herbivores. This morphological adaptation, combined with its underground storage organ, allows it to tolerate both grazing and seasonal fires. Moraea elliotii is frequently observed in recently burned grasslands, where post-fire nutrient availability and reduced competition provide ideal conditions for flowering and regeneration.
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| The long leaf coming from Moraea elliotii |
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| Moraea elliotii IRIDACEAE Eulophia parviflora – The name
says it all: “parvi” means small, and “flora” refers to its flowers.
These delicate blooms come in pale shades of green, yellow, or sometimes with
purple tones. The species often flowers in response to fire or the first rains. There are two notable spur
variations. Some plants bear a long, narrow spur that extends behind the
flower—likely an adaptation for long-tongued insect pollinators. Others have a
much shorter spur, which could reflect natural variation, environmental adaptation,
or reduced reliance on specific pollinators. Interestingly, some populations or
individuals produce sterile flowers, which may not set seed but still play a
role in attracting pollinators to fertile plants nearby. Like many Eulophia species, this orchid often flowers before the leaves emerge. You may spot the flowering spikes rising straight from bare ground, seemingly leafless. Only later do narrow or linear leaves emerge from the underground tuber. In some cases, the plant remains leafless at flowering time, or shows only rudimentary leaf growth.   |
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| Eulophia parviflora ORCHIDACEAE
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| Polystachya pubescens ORCHIDACEAE |
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| Ushi's Eskom-se Push socks! |
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| Pondoland CREW Maggie Abbott, Hilliary Henderson, Alf Hayter Guests: Maike and Lulu Granig Gail Bowers-Winters, Dorothy McIntyre, Anne Skelton and Uschi Tercher. |
“We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us.”
- Albert Einstein
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