A Blaze of Colour at Beacon Hill
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| Pick of the week- Watsonia pillansii |
We gathered at Beacon Hill — our second CREW outing in a single week — proof of the enthusiasm that keeps us searching for Pondoland’s floral treasures. Only a few days earlier, we had travelled up to Majuleni in the Transkei; this follow-up walk was, without a doubt, for the die-hards.
The morning air was crisp as we meandered up the hillside, our eyes drawn to the delicate glisten of Drosera natalensis, the tiny sundews catching both insects and sunlight. Nearby, Dianthus zeyheri covered the slope in soft pinks, with the occasional white bloom standing out like a pearl. These dainty members of the carnation family always seem to lift the spirits. Pelargonium luridum was in flower too, its gentle pink heads borne elegantly on long, slender stalks that swayed with every breath of wind.
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| Drosera natalensis DROSERACEAE Sundew |
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| Dianthus zeyheri CARYOPHYLLACEAE |
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| Crabbea acaulis ACANTHACEAE |
Then came the orchids — three species, each more enchanting than the last. We found Satyrium longicauda with its twin spurs, Disa versicolor with soft pastel hues, and Cyrtorchis arcuata, its yellow flowers indicating that it had been pollinated. And finally, the star of the day: the magnificent Disa caffra, in full, radiant bloom. Its presence stopped us all in our tracks.
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| Satyrium longicauda ORCHIDACEAE Blushing Bride Satyrium |
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| Disa versicolor ORCHIDACEAE Apple-blossum Orchid |
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| Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata ORCHIDACEAE |
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| Disa caffra ORCHIDACEAE |
Looking down into the valley, one could almost shout, “Fire! Fire!” For the hillsides blazed orange with Watsonia pillansii. The sight was nothing short of spectacular — it looked like flames sweeping through the landscape. One wanted to paint it. To find both Watsonia pillansii and Disa caffra flowering together felt like a celebration.
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| Watsonia pillansii IRIDACEAE South African endemic |
Among the grasses, we noted a rich tapestry of other species — Hypericum lalandi, Wahlenbergia krebsii subsp. krebsii, Senecio albanensis var. dornicifiliflorus, Heliophila rigidiuscula, Moraea stricta, Xyris gerrardii, Senecio oxyriifolius, Eriosema umtamvunense, and Lotononis eriocarpa. Each added its subtle colour and texture to the landscape, a reminder of how intricate these grassland ecosystems truly are.
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| Hypericum lalandii HYPERICACEAE |
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| Argyrolobium harveyanum FABACEAE |
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| Wahlenbergia krebsii subsp. krebsii CAMPANULACEAE Fairy Bell-flower |
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| Senecio albanensis var. doroniciflorus ASTERACEAE |
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| Heliophila rigidiuscula BRASSICACEAE |
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| Eriosema umtamvunense FABACEAE Endangered A2c South African endemic |
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| Senecio oxyriifolius ASTERACEAE False Nasturtium |
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| Lotononis eriocarpa FABACEAE |
After lunch, we wandered farther over the hill. To Gail’s delight, her beloved Lotononis meyerii were sparkling in the light — flowers and seed pods forming side by side. Both male and female cones on Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. oribinum could be seen, and some of the males had already released their pollen — a quiet but vital moment in the life of the fynbos.
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| Lotononis meyeri FABACEAE South african endemic |
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| Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. oribinum PROTEACEAE Oribi Spear-leaf Conebush Vulnerable A2c; B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) South African endemic  Photo credit: Tracy |
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| Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. mauritiana CACTACEAE |
Further along, Indigofera hilaris var. hilaris brightened the grassland with its cheerful pink flowers, and Indigofera herrstreyi var. herrstreyi made a modest but notable appearance. Near the office, a thriving Polygala virgata rounded off the day, standing tall in a burst of purple.
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| Indigofera hilaris var. hilaris FABACEAE |
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| Indigofera herrstreyi var. herrstreyi FABACEAE |
With our hearts full and our senses steeped in the vibrant colours of Pondoland, we made our way home. It had been another glorious day — one of those outings that remind us why we walk, why we watch, and why we record. The land had spoken through its flowers, and we had listened.
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| Polygala virgata POLYGALACEAE |
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| Pondoland CREW Tracy Taylor, Anne Skelton, Uschi Teircher, Dorothy McIntyre and Gail Bowers-Winters |
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