Mr Nic's Gully

What a rollercoaster of a day! It started on an unusual note, with meetings, family commitments and other challenges keeping many of our regular botanising crew at home — or nearly so. The heat was relentless too, and it almost felt as though the day was doomed before it began. Yet, like a magician producing a final trick, everything fell into place and botanising at Beacon Hill went ahead.

We arrived with a strict mission: find a forest to escape the day's brutal heat. After our traditional tea, we set off for Mr. Nic’s Gully. On our way, we met two elderly adventurers who had already completed the loop and were searching for orchids. Their bravery was inspiring in the heat, but it raised red flags. They mentioned looking for Eulophia horsfolii, which we hadn’t spotted flowering last year—possibly due to plant poaching. It reminded us to always be cautious about our botanical treasures.

The elusive Eulophia horsfallii
ORCHIDACEAE

As we ventured along the path and into the gully, the grasslands welcomed us with Monsonia natalense, Lotononis viminea and Polygala hottentotta in flower, alongside familiar wildflowers we had previously documented. Entering the forest felt like stepping into another world. The creeping vines were like nooses, reminding us to slow down and take in our surroundings.

Monsonia natalensis
GERANIACEAE
South African endemic

Lotononis viminea
FABACEAE
South African endemic

Polygala hottentotta
POLYGALACEAE

Heading down to Mr. Nic's Gully.

A very zen Loxostylis alata 
ANACARDIACEAE

The stream flowed quietly, offering welcome relief from the heat. Cool pockets of air drifted through the gully, turning it into nature’s own air-conditioning. Anne, Tracy and Gail ventured a little deeper, but Anne — barefoot and carefree — soon turned back, mindful of the tricky grassland she would need to cross to rejoin the others where her shoes and string bag waited.

In the forest, we encountered Mistroxylon aethiopicum, with its velvety leaves and new stems. Gail playfully made a garland from it! The round green seeds lay scattered on the rocks below. We also spotted Plectranthus saccatus pondoensis, its flowers reminiscent of Cinderella’s coach slippers.

Erianthemum dregei 
LORANTHACEAE

Just a hop, skip and a jump!

Plectranthus saccatus subsp. pondoensis
LAMIACEAE
South African endemic

It was Maggie's time.  Lunch on the rocks.

Gail, the forest spirit.

Mystroxylon aethiopicum subsp. aethiopicum
CELASTRACEAE
South African endemic

Canthium ciliatum
RUBIACEAE
Photo credit:  Tracy

Rhynchocalyx lawsonioides
RHYNCHOCALYCACEAE
False-waterberry
Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v)
South African endemic
Photo credit:  Tracy

Making our way through the gully took a bit of agility, the rocks slick beneath our feet. Gail cooled herself by dunking her hat in the stream and suddenly exclaimed, “Smell that! It’s like rooibos tea with honey!” We only understood when we reached the top, where Loxostylis alata stood in full flower, its warm fragrance drifting through the air — a scent deeply reminiscent of South Africa.

Anne clambering up the gully.  These are no river pebbles.

Loxostylis alata
ANACARDIACEAE
South African endemic

At the forest edge, we admired Podalyria burchellii in flower and observed a sunbird sipping nectar from a Syzygium cordatum. Nature was in full swing, with Olea capensis enervis, Gerrardina foliosa, Pittosporum viridifolium, and Erythroxylum pictum also showing off their white flowers.

Tracy and Gail having clambered all the way up Mr. Nic's Gully.

Erythroxylum pictum
ERYTHROXYLACEAE
South African endemic

Combretum krausii calyx

Olea capensis subsp. enervis
OLEACEAE

Syzygium cordatum subsp. cordatum

MYRTACEAE

A Greater Double-collared Sunbird enjoying the Syzigium cordatum nectar in the flowers.

Pseudoscolopia polyantha
SALICCEAE
Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v)
South African endemic

Chionanthus foveolatus subsp. tomentellus

Chionanthus foveolatus subsp. tomentellus

I-nat:  Noronhia foveolata tomentella
OLEACEAE
South African endemic

Gerardiina foliosa

Podalyria burchellii 
FABACEAE
South African endemic

As the group spread out on the walk back, Tracy and Gail found Syncolostemon ramulosus, Crassula alba and Kniphofia laxiflora near the hilltop. Nearby, the fiery flowers of Helichrysum herbaceum and Helichrysum adenocarpum glowed like small suns and fading sunsets beneath the blazing sky.

Syncolostemon ramulosus
LAMIACEAE
Vulnerable D2
South African endemic

Crassula alba
CRASSULACEAE

Kniphofia laxiflora
ASPHODELACEAE

Helichrysum adenocarpum
ASTERACEAE

Helichrysum herbaceum
ASTERACEAE

Tephrosia polystachya var. polystachya
FABACEAE

Hat's off today to everyone who braved the heat.
Gail's hat in a rock pool.

By the time we returned to the car we were hot, weathered and a little dehydrated, but our hearts were full of joy. Stories and laughter were shared before we headed home, though Dorothy, Uschi and our other absent friends were missed. There is something deeply enriching about gathering with like-minded friends, sharing knowledge and the privilege of time in nature. Knowing what one is looking at while botanising turns an ordinary walk into something truly special. Until we meet again. 

Pondoland CREW
Gail Bowers-Winters, Alf Hayter, Maggie Abbott, Anne Skelton, Tracy Taylor and Hiliary Henderson.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Special thanks to the Pondoland CREW who gather to make these outings possible and who contribute to the valuable work of recording what is flowering. Our thanks also go to those, near and far, who generously share their knowledge with the group. It is the givers — of cameras, time and wisdom — who quietly make this world a better place. Thank you.