Saturday, 2 August 2025

Rocklands Port Edward

The golden rule, as Hiliary wisely reminds us, is to “never follow Gail.” So when Gail and Maggie confidently followed a pin drop and a photo of the Port Edward lighthouse, they naturally ended up in the wrong place. A quick phone call later, they were rerouted to the safety of Rocklands—our botanising destination for the day.

The day held something extra special: it was Tracy’s birthday. Celebrations began with iced biscuits shaped like wildflowers and delicious tea-time treats, shared under a gentle sun before we made our way past electric fences and a rather intimidating Pit Bull. From there, we found ourselves on a hillside that had been burnt several weeks prior—now bursting into flower.

It’s remarkable how little ground one can cover when wildflowers keep appearing underfoot.

One of our first sightings was Hebenstretia dura—unfortunately burdened with the common name Eastern Shrubby Slugwort. It's the kind of name one might expect in a Harry Potter novel, and fittingly, it’s one of Tracy’s favourite plants—an especially serendipitous find on her birthday.


Hebenstretia dura
SCROPHULARIACEAE

Pondoland CREW

Nearby, we discovered Lasiosiphon kraussianus var krausianus, Ursinia tenuiloba, and the bristly Afroaster hispida. Further into the grassland, bursts of colour came from Tritonia gladiolaris, Gladiolus longicollis, and Gladiolus inandensis—prompting a few cheers: “We’re glad to see Glads!”

Lasiosiphon kraussianus  var. kraussianus
THYMELAEACEAE

Ursinia tenuiloba
ASTERACEAE
South African endemic
Photo credit:  Tracy

Gladiolus longicollis subsp. longicollis
IRIDACEAE
Honey-flower

Tritonia gladiolaris 
IRIDACEAE
Yellow Tritonia


Afroaster hispida
ASTERACEAE

Tracy capturing the beautiful Glad's.


Gladiolus inandensis 
IRIDACEAE
South African endemic


Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus 
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Orange Ifafa Lily

Orchid season had finally begun!  The hillside offered another delight: Acrolophia cochlearis, a terrestrial orchid just beginning to flower. “Chocolate!” Anne cried, sparking a flurry of excitement. This species is noticeably different in size to Eulophia clitellifera, which we also spotted in a small colony of about twenty plants—though we all agreed the name might warrant a rethink due to its slightly awkward pronunciation. Adding to the orchid bounty, we found Orthochilus foliosus, with both buds and flowers on display—yet another colony thriving after the fire.


Acrolophia cochlearis
ORCHIDACEA
South African endemic

Photo credit:  Tracy



Eulophia clitellifera 
ORCHIDACEAE





Orthochilus foliosus
ORCHIDACEAE

At the top of the hill, masses of Tulbaghia ludwigiana swayed in the breeze, making photography nearly impossible. Anne’s keen eyes then spotted Triglochin milnei, a minuscule plant so easily missed. Tracy managed to capture it—no small feat!  Well done Tracy.

Photo credit:  Tracy


Tulbaghia ludwigiana
ALLIACEAE

Triglochin milnei
JUNCAGINACEAE
Freshwater/Grassland/Seasonal wetlands in grassland
Photo credit:  Tracy

Uschi worked her magic with the camera, managing a clear photo of Gazania linearis, highlighting the barbed margins on its tiny leaves. Nearby, Scadoxus puniceus was just beginning to open in the dappled shade beneath Strelitzia nicolai. Nemesia caerulea, with its soft lilac-blue petals, brought further charm—a dainty garden-worthy species if ever there was one.

Gazania linearis var. linearis
ASTERACEAE



Nemesia caerulea 
SCROPHULARIACEAE

Scadoxus puniceus
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Snake Lily 

As we began our slow meander back, Uschi pointed out the cheerful Dimorphotheca caulescens. Other finds included Acalypha punctata, Aloe maculata, and the fiery Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus peeking from the rocky edges.


Dimorphotheca caulescens 
ASTERACEAE

Acalypha punctata var. punctata
EUPHORBIACEAE
Sticky Brooms and Brushes 


Kniphofia coddiana
ASPHODELACEAE
Near Threatened B1ab(iii)

But the day ended on a slightly unsettling note. We had the sense we were being watched. Gail quietly packed away her camera, and we instinctively grouped together—much like zebras sensing a nearby lion. Armed with pepper sprays and whatever implements we could muster, we cautiously observed our surroundings calling it a day.  Saftey came first.  A quick group photo was snapped before we passed broken toilet blocks and scattered litter—and  discovered two abandoned cell phones during the day. It was a reminder that vigilance is as important as observation in the field.

Despite that, the orchids stole the show—and left us grateful for a day of wild flowers, a special birthday, and a bit of adventure on the wild slopes of Rocklands.  These girls rock!

Photo credit:  Tracy


Pondoland CREW
Gail Bowers-Winters, Hiliary Henderson, Anne Skelton, Uschi Teicher,
Tracy Taylor, Dorothy McIntyre and Maggie Abbott. 

“Not all those who wander are lost—but sometimes they’re just following Gail.”
— Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien




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