A Day of Orchids: Exploring various areas in search of orchids for Mohammad.

When an invitation arrived to join Kate, Graham, Suvana, and Mohammad on a quest for orchids, Tracy and I didn’t hesitate. The plan was to explore several sites — Rennies, Red Desert, and Beacon Hill — each promising its own botanical delights.

It was a hot day, hats were essential, and by the end, we realized we hadn’t drunk nearly enough water. Yet the day was filled with joy and wonder, hearts full of excitement as we searched for the plants we have grown to love.

Sadly, the vibrant Disa afra had mostly gone to seed, though Muhammad did manage to find one specimen, albeit less lively. Still, the orchids we encountered were a treat: Brachycorythis pubescens, Brachycorythis ovata, Satyrium sphaerocarpum, Eulophia oeloglossa, Schizochilus zeyheri, the endemic Disa afra, and Disperis paludosa.

Other exiting finds included the South African endemic Phylica natalensis, and Brachystelma sandersonii both classified as Vulnerable,at Red Desert. Watsonia pillansii, though past its peak, still stole the show with its fiery colours. We also delighted in seeing Sisyranthus virgatus and Sisyranthus imberbis in flower.

As the sun began to dip, we headed home, joyful and full of cheer, grateful for the day’s botanical treasures. In every orchid flower lies a story of patience, resilience, and grace — a reminder of the quiet wonders the veld has to offer

Disperis paludosa
ORCHIDACEAE
South African endemic

Disa caffra
ORCHIDACEAE

Eulophia coeloglossa
ORCHIDACEAE
Photo credit: Muhammed Adamjee

Schizochilus zeyheri
ORCHIDACEAE
Photo credit: Muhammed Adamjee

Satyrium sphaerocarpum
ORCHIDACEAE
Photo credit: Muhammed Adamjee

Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata
ORCHIDACEAE

Brachystelma sandersonii
APOCYNACEAE
Vulnerable A4c; B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)
South African endemic

Phylica natalensis
RHAMNACEAE
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
South African endemic

Graham and Tracy looking at Dispris paludosa.

Mohammed and Graham looking at Dispris paludosa

Hesperantha baurii subsp. baurii
IRIDACEAE

Sisyranthus virgatus
APOCYNACEAE

Sisyranthus imberbis
APOCYNACEAE

Kate and Mohammed

Kate and Graham trying to capture the magnificence of Watsonia pillansii..

Watsonia pillansii

IRIDACEAE

South African endemic

Photo credit: Muhammad Adamjee

Brachycorythis pubescens
ORCHIDACEAE

Brachycorythis ovata
ORCHIDACEAE

Synclostemon Heights: Wind, Rocks, and Rare Finds

Thursday found us heading to Synclostemon Heights. Gail, Tracy, and Hilary squeezed into Anne’s Jimny, eager to see what surprises the day would hold. The wind was fierce, making our packed jackets invaluable and blowing our hats off our heads.

Our first discovery was the rare Chironia albiflora, a little-known endemic that immediately caught our attention. Hesperantha lactea, another endemic, flowered abundantly, painting the landscape white wherever we walked.

The scenery was breathtaking — dramatic rocks, wide-open skies, and rich textures of the veld. At one point, spotting hunting dogs and their owners, we quickly dissapeared behind giant boulders, adding a little adventure to our botanical day.

Among the plants thriving on the rocky outcrops were Tridactyle tridentata, Tridactyle bicaudata subsp. rupestris, Bulbophyllum scaberulum var. scaberulum, and Cyrtorchis arcuata subsp. arcuata. Other endemics flowering in the area included Asclepias praemorsa, Searsia rigida var. dentata, and the vulnerable succulents Delosperma subpetiolatum and Lampranthus fugitans. Delosperma vinaceum, a true local endemic, also made its appearance. Other plants that were in flower were Tinnea galpinii, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta, and Passerina montivaga and, Ochna serrulata among others that were in flower.

As we wandered among the rocks, discovering each hidden flower and endemic plant, the day felt like a true treasure hunt. Every step revealed something new — a tiny orchid tucked into a crevice, a splash of pink from a succulent, or the nodding white flowers of Hesperantha lactea swaying in the wind. The rugged terrain and striking scenery reminded us how resilient and inventive nature can be, and how much joy there is in simply pausing to notice it.