The universe clearly hadn’t received the memo that Thursdays are reserved for botanising and gale force winds were not on order. Cubica Heights greeted us with relentless wind, low dirty clouds and a hazy, uninviting landscape. Despite the conditions, the outing promised botanical rewards, particularly with orchid specialist Benny Bytebier joining us, making this richly diverse site an obvious choice.
Strong winds followed us even into supposedly sheltered areas, and concerns about safety near the cliff edges eventually shortened the day. Still, the plants did not disappoint. Near the waterfall, Apodytes dimidiata and Pseudoscolopia polyantha were found in flower, while the surrounding grasslands offered splashes of colour. Oedera pungens stood out with its bright, cheerful blooms, Tinnea galpinii flowered profusely and was already setting seed, and Tritonia disticha continued its long flowering season, its vivid red impossible to ignore. Protea simplex drew attention, and Agapanthus campanulatus subsp. campanulatus, growing as it so often does on rocky outcrops, was in bud and promising a striking blue display. Zornia linearis added further interest to the grasslands.
Psydrax obovata
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| Photo credit: Simon |
 Pseudoscolopia polyantha SALICACEAE Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v) South African endemic |
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| Oedera pungens ASTERACEAE South African endemic |
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| Tinnea galpinii LAMIACEAE |
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| Tritonia disticha IRIDACEAE |
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| Protea simplex PROTEACEAE Dwarf Grassveld Sugarbush |
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| Agapanthus campanulatus subsp. campanulatus AGAPANTHACEAE |
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| Zornia linearis FABACEAE |
Relief from the wind came in a sheltered forested area along the cliff edge, a place of remarkable diversity where one always treads carefully to avoid disturbing the forest floor. Here, Tridactyle tridentata had already gone to seed, while Brownleea coerulea was just beginning to awaken. The forest floor was carpeted with Stenoglottis macloughlinii, flowering delicately yet abundantly, their mauve heads creating a memorable display. Ceropegia linearis threaded its way through the vegetation, and Hypoxis membranacea scattered its small white star-like flowers across the ground. Along the rocky edge grew Ypsilopus erectus, its long spurs making this orchid particularly striking, while Bulbophyllum scaberulum subsp. scaberulum showed lush bulbs and several flowers.
Flowering Streptocarpus formosus added to the richness of this area, while Plectranthus saccatus var. pondoensis offered its characteristically soothing colour. Eugenia verdoorniae was found in seed, and along the forest margin both Ekebergia pterophylla and Rapanea melanophloeos were also in seed, beautifully captured in photographsby Tracy. Psydrax obovata was likewise recorded by Simon.
With lunch taken on the rocks and the wind showing no sign of easing, photography became increasingly difficult and the decision was made to call it a day. We returned to the cars already discussing the next excursion, hopeful that the weather would be kinder, but grateful once again for the botanical wealth Cubica Heights continues to reveal.
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| Tridactyle tridentata ORCHIDACEAE |
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| Stenoglottis fimbriata subsp. fimbriata |
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| Bulbophyllum scaberulum var. scaberulum |
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| Ypsilopus erectus ORCHIDACEAE |
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| Ceropegia linearis APOCYNACEAE |
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| Stenoglottis macloughlinii ORCHIDACEAE |
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| Hypoxis membranacea HYPOXIDACEAE |
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| Crassula sarmentosa var. integrifolia CRASSULACEAE Rare South African endemic |
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| Streptocarpus formosus GESNERIACEAE Rare South African endemic |
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| Plectranthus saccatus subsp. pondoensis LAMIACEAE South African endemic |
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| Eugenia verdoorniae MYRTACEAE Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v) South African endemic |
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| Rapanea melanophloeos MYRSINACEAE Photo credit: Tracy |
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| Rhipsalis baccifera subsp. mauritiana CACTACEAE Photo credit: Tracy |
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| Kyra, Leo and Jane Bytebier. |
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| Pondoland CREW Top: Tracy Taylor Bottom: Gail Bowers-Winters, Simon Hicks, Dorothy McIntyre, Anne Skelton, Guests: Jane and Benny Bytebier, Kyra and Leo. "A tree is known by its fruit." - A Zulu African Proverb. A person is known by th efruits of his or her labour, just as a tree. Put your best effort into all things you do. |
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