Four idyllic days at Mkhambathi Nature Reserve

This was our third trip to Mkhambathi Nature Reserve since we were first asked to compile a plant species list for the reserve - we continue to add to the already substantial list (link) with each visit, and this trip was no exception.

On this occasion our visit coincided with that of a group of seaweed scientists from UCT, so after unpacking in our accommodation we headed off to Riverside Lodge where they were staying. Before getting there, we took a stroll up the placidly beautiful GweGwe stream and within a short time had encountered a solitary Rhizophora mucronata with its feet in the water of the estuary; close by was a Baringtonia racemosa, neither of which was on the list. There were several of the vulnerable Leucadendron pondoense alongside the stream, most in flower and it was easy to see the difference between male and female flowers.

Top end of the GweGwe River estuary

Leucadendron pondoense (male)

Leucadendron pondoense (female)

There were some pink Syncolostemon rotundifolius flowers hanging artistically over the stream and a range of different aquatic plants in a clear pool. Hiding in the grass we saw the vulnerable Brachystelma sandersonii and in between some rocks the bright fruits of Diospyros scabrida peeped out at us.
 

Syncolostemon rotundifolius

Diospyros scabrida

At Riverside Lodge we met the seaweed specialists team members under the leadership of Rob Anderson and John Bolton and discussed and confirmed the ID of several seaweeds we had collected on our previous visit. After giving them directions to the spot where we had collected earlier this year, we agreed to meet them the following afternoon at Horseshoe Falls to show them a little of the botanical riches of the area.

GweGwe estuary

GweGwe beach

Day 2
Early the next morning we set off to the office to pick up Mr. Sonwabile Jack, our guide for the next two days. Our first stop was to look at a site in community land outside the reserve, where he thought we might be able to find Leucospermum innovans. There was no sign of the Leucospermum, but we did see several other species to add to the list, including the vulnerable Aspalathus gerrardii. Then, instead of returning to the reserve through the main gate we entered via another gate to get into the wilderness area of the reserve. After a couple of "interesting" stream crossings (my rear seat passengers had their eyes closed) we spotted a robust orchid in the grass - this turned out to be Brachycorythis ovata.

A short distance further on I spotted what I thought to be Bulbine sp. nov. on a rock plate so we stopped to confirm this and it turned out to be a lucky stop. There were several of the Bulbines flowering, but we also found a small pink flowered Ipomoea in amongst the Selaginella. We think that this might be the elusive species that our mentor, Tony Abbott, spent a lot of time vainly searching for, so specimens were taken for later confirmation. Also close to these rock plates were several unknown Brachystelma plants in flower - another thing to follow up with the appropriate specialist. On another adjacent rock plate we found a number of Craterostigma sp. nov. in flower - this is a species for which we are preparing a description for publication so it was good to get additional distribution information.

Craterostigma sp. nov.

Futher on we walked towards a wetland and found a small colony of Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. natalense, some sporting flowers with a bright pink wash.

Leucodendron spissifolium subsp. natalense

After having lunch under an Umdoni tree, we headed to a bluff overlooking the Horseshoe Falls where we were buffeted by the strong wind before heading down to cross the Mkhambathi River (more closed eyes) and off to our rendezvous with the seaweed boffins. 

Pondoland CREW with Mr. Jack

Walking near Horseshoe Falls with the seaweed team

Day 3
Our first stop after picking up Mr. Jack was to head off to the site of the only surviving Raspalia trigyna to record its location in a CREW report (more closed eyes crossings). Previous attempts to re-establish this species in the reserve have failed after the plants were destroyed in a fire - the remaining specimen is protected by rocks and by being in the middle of a stream.

The last Raspalia

The Superbowl

Impatiens flanaganiae

After fossicking a little further down the stream Mr Jack took us off to the Superbowl area where we were very lucky to find the vulnerable Impatiens flanaganiae. On the way back to our house we came across a large population of the vulnerable Euphorbia flanaganii. That was enough excitement for the day and we spent the afternoon looking up several uncertain species and pressing specimens.

Day 4
Up early to catch the morning colours on the beach below the lodge.

Sunrise at Mkhambathi main lodge

We had a leisurely stroll down to the beach and a short distance along the shore where we were lucky to see dolphins in the waves close to the rocks, and a substantial flock of Swift Terns on the beach. Then back to the lodge to pack. On the return trip we stopped briefly to collect specimens of an Aristea and a Moraea. Back to civilisation after four intense but enjoyable days.

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Uschi T.

Braving the drizzle at Oribi Flats

As we have had less than our normal rainfall in this early part of the summer season, we were delighted that we were faced with drizzle and a cold wind when we started our walk along the top the cliffs on the north bank of the Mzimkhulwana River. The views from the top of the sheer cliffs down into the gorge are always imposing, but the weather conditions gave these views an untamed feel.

Extreme botanising in wet and windy conditions

It was not long before we came across some flowers also braving the conditions. Tucked under a rock was a beautiful spray of Streptocarpus trabeculatus. Hilliard and Burtt in "Streptocarpus - An African Plant Study" suggest that this species seems to undergo synchronised flowering; we did see others in flower, and also saw several of the more common Streptocarpus haygarthii in flower.

Streptocarpus trabeculatus

In the "shade" of a Seemannaralia gerrardii at the cliff's edge

The showers came and went, as did the waterproof jackets as we headed seawards along the cliffs. A target species for this area is Caputia oribiensis but we found no sign of it where it is expected, i.e. hanging down along the cliffs - so we will have to try further down the gorge on another occasion.

We did however find a fairly robust specimen of Seemannaralia gerrardi peeping over the edge of the cliffs, a tree we do not often come across, despite its Least Concern rating in the Red List.

An interesting feature of this section of cliff edge was the number of succulents, particularly Crassulaceae (about 10 species), growing mostly in semi-shaded positions. Below is a photo of a particluarly venerable Crassula ovata hanging out over the abyss.

Crassula ovata

After having a quick lunch in a sheltered place we went off to a nearby grassland where we have been monitoring the flowering plants over the seasons between bi-annual burns. This area was subject to a management burn on 23 August and is looking very colourful at the moment. Berkheya and Helichrysum are particularly prolific.

Patch monitoring

The view down into the Mzimkhulwana River gorge

 
Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Heidi N, Kate G, Uschi T.

Terra incognita - a visit to a grassland near Jolivet

We have been trying to explore more of the home territory of the collector Rudatis and when we were offered the opportunity to visit a grassland on a farm near Jolivet we made arrangements to visit, allowing a suitable interval after a management burn.

Driving down to the grassland through a Eucalyptus plantation we saw a number of Eulophia streptopetala in flower under the trees. We started our walk near a small stream crossing and very soon came across some very showy orange flowered Eriosema cordatum  plants amongst the grass.  

Eulophia streptopetala

Eriosema cordata

A little further up the slope we came across the first of a species named after Rudatis, the unobtrusive endangered endemic Searsia rudatisii. This is the fourth locality we have recorded for this species, all within a radius of about 50km.

Searsia rudatisii

Scattered around and protruding above the grass were several pale yellow Moraea, probably Moraea graminicola and nodding their silvery bracts and dark red heads were Dierama reynoldsii.

Moraea graminicola 

Dierama reynoldsii

In the shade under a tree were many small white-flowered Hypoxis membranacea and the Eugenia albanensis were also starting to flower amongst the grasses, their white flowers hidden low on the stalks - this is a plant to watch as it produces surprisingly large and delicious fruits.

Hypoxis membranacea

Eugenia albanensis

On rocky plates we found an Asclepias or Xysmalobium - with its flowers yet to open it is difficult to confirm which. With the weather starting to threaten, we returned to the vehicle, and after a brief detour to look at the opposite more rocky slope (where we found a single Drimia uniflora),  we drove further. 

Drimia uniflora

Uschi studying the Drimia

Just inside a second gate we saw some Kniphofia flowering and stopped to have a closer look, and that led us to what might be the find of the day - a Riocreuxia. As confirmation of the ID is awaited, readers will have to watch this space. 

After weathering a short rain shower, we proceeded further up the track. A flash of white in a tree alerted us to a splendid patch of the epiphytic orchid, Mystacidium capense.

Mystacidium capense

 At our lunch spot near a small stream we found Pachystigma macrocalyx alongside the stream, and in the open grassland were brightly coloured Sphenostylis angustifolia shrublets.

Sphenostylis angustifolia

Higher up the track we found several Rhynchosia cooperi with their bright yellow flowers and at the top of the hill we stopped for the last time to capture a sense of the place.

Rhynchosia cooperi 

Pondoland CREW with the Mtwalume River gorge and some impressive rock formations in the background

We came away with a list of more than 200 species which we are sure to be able to add to with further visits.

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Uschi T.

Great news!

We were very happy to see the Government Gazette Notice No. 1522 of 9 October 2015 has, amongst others, proclaimed the Red Desert Nature Reserve as a Nature Reserve, see the extract below.

PROCLAMATION 8 OF 2015
8 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57/2003: The Red Desert Nature Reserve 1522
KWAZULU-NATAL NATURE CONSERVATION BOARD
DECLARATION OF THE RED DESERT NATURE RESERVE IN TERMS OF THE
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: PROTECTED AREAS ACT, 2003
(ACT NO. 57 OF 2003)
Under and by virtue of the powers vested in me by section 23 of the National
Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003, as
ammended), I do hereby declare and make known that, with effect from the date of
publication hereof, the land described as The Remainder of Erf 1015, Port Edward,
Registration Division ET, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, in extent 106,0366ha (one
hundred and six comma zero three six six hectares), held under deed of title
T61526/2007, as appears in SG Diagram No. 617/1961; Remainder of Erf 1016, Port
Edward, Registration Division ET, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, in extent 73,9774ha
(seventy three comma nine seven seven four hectares), held under deeds of title
T14531/1976 and T2634/1994, as appears in SG diagram No. 618/1961. (as per the
schedule attached here with), shall be a Nature Reserve to be known as the Red
Desert Nature Reserve, with the Red Desert Nature Reserve Trust being assigned as
the management authority.

Blencathra survey

A CREW Target species for October was the Near Threatened Kniphofia littoralis, a species which had previously been collected at the farm Blencathra bordering on the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, so we made arrangements to visit the farm. The owner, who has the farm on the market, asked that we also give him a list of the species we saw in the grassland - something we collate for every field trip.

As we drove in I noticed a colony of the endemic Aspalathus dahlgrenii (ined.). As the species description has not yet been published, we do not have a Red List assessment of its status, but it is likely, because of its very localised distribution, to be one of the threatened categories. There were about 40 plants in an area of 10 square metres with signs of good recruitment of young plants, but unfortunately none of these plants were flowering.

While we did see some Kniphofia, these were all Kniphofia coddiana, another Near Threatened endemic species. On a rock outcrop there was a very colourful patch of Polystachya pubescens growing amongst the new leaves of a Ficus ingens.

Polystachya pubescens growing amongst Ficus ingens

Also nestled amongst the rocks was an early Indigofera herstreyi (ined.), another species awaiting publication. Hidden in the grass were many of the Vulnerable endemic Eriosemopsis subanisophylla, several of which were in flower.

Eriosemopsis subanisophylla

Also in the grass was a single Cycnium racemosum in flower. Some years earlier our group was alerted to a clump of pink "orchids' growing in this area but these turned out to be a spectacular clump of these same parasitic flowers, growing just inside the Blencathra fence.

Just over the rise from there was area covered in many Near Threatened Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. natalense with the male and female flowers clearly evident.

Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. natalense

Not surprisingly, with only a fenceline between this grassland and the grassland of the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, this is a very valuable, species rich, undisturbed piece of grassland - we hope this can remain preserved.

Participants: Anne S, Chris R, Debbie K, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Lorna R, Uschi T.

Visit to the Western Heights

It was great to be able to squeeze in a second outing on the same Thursday. Having completed our visit to Blencathra we had a quick teabreak at Beacon Hill and then set off to the Western Heights - a favourite destination - with the intention of looking for Raphionacme palustris and surveying the population of Watsonia pondoensis, both of which we knew we would find there, hopefully in flower.

We first walked to the edge of the wetland, but before we could find any Raphionacme palustris we found ourselves in an orchid-rich patch. The most vivid of these was Disa caffra, but they were surrounded by Disa versicolor, Satyrium longicauda and Satyrium trinerve. The Raphionacme palustris were where expected and in flower.

Raphionacme palustris

Our timing was also right for the Watsonia pondoensis to be in flower. Despite the very dense aglomerations of bulbs, this species seems to flower rather sparsely.

Watsonia pondoensis

 We then decided to have our lunch in the shade and coolness under the trees of the Swamp Forest. After lunch, Anne and Graham tackled the job of ring-barking five large black wattle trees that had somehow managed to find their way into this indigenous forest patch.

On the fringes of the forest was a large patch of the regal fern, Osmunda regalis, some of which had produced their fertile terminal parts of the fronds. Leaving the forest brought us back into orchid territory with many more of the same species seen earlier. We took the long way back to the vehicle to avoid having to walk over the many tussocks in the wetland, on the way encountering a Searsia pondoensis in flower, a small patch of Dianthus mooiensis, and then came across a large group of the Vulnerable Watsonia inclinata.

Watsonia inclinata

In the midst of many Watsonia inclinata

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Uschi T.

Tony Abbott memorial walk

Walkers from far and wide started gathering at Clearwater early on Sunday morning to celebrate the life and botanical work of Tony Abbott. After many had breakfasted on egg and bacon rolls at the cafe, the walkers were gathered at the viewing deck overlooking the Umtamvuna River gorge to be told a little about Tony Abbott, about the plants of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism that they would be see, and about the routes available to them. Before the start there was a draw for the raffle prize of a botanical painting of a Clivia mineata - one of the plants likely to be encountered along the walk -- and the lucky winner was Audrey Woodley.

Some of the 60+ walkers at the start of the memorial walk

Elsa Pooley and Audrey Woodley at the start of the memorial walk

Audrey Woodley, winner of the painting with Kate Grieve, the artist

The more adventurous walkers headed off to walk the Fish Eagle trail while others restricted their efforts to enjoying the flowers in the grasslands along the escarpment, including a detour a short distance into the Umtamvuna gorge to see the small colony of Clivia mineata plants amongst the rocks.

By late morning the last of the walkers had returned and many enjoyed a lunch at the cafe. A well attended and successful walk on a clear and warm spring day. Thanks to all those who came to support the event!

Visitors from the University of Transkei

Sizwe Cawe, Botany lecturer from the Mthatha campus of the Walter Sisulu University, visited with two honours students to give them some field exposure to plants of the Pondoland Centre. We initially met them at the restaurant at Clearwater which borders on the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve as we also had a need to investigate what was flowering along some of the potential routes for the Tony Abbott memorial walk scheduled for Sunday 4th October.

In cold, windy conditions with rain threatening, we elected to start by walking along part of the Fish Eagle trail down into the Umtamvuna gorge to see if the Clivia were still flowering. Fortunately, while no longer still at their best, there was quite a good show, good enough to justify the walk down to them. 

Also in the same rocky patch in the forest we found the rare Cyphostemma rubroglandulosum in flower as well as a small tree covered in lime-green flowers which we eventually concluded was Pachystigma macrocalyx . There was also a creeper - unfortunately not in flower yet - which looks like an Emplectanthus; we will need to visit here again in due course to try to catch it flowering. On the way out of the gorge we came across both sexes of flowers (on separate plants) of Garcinia gerrardii and a few flowers on Rawsonia lucida.
 

Pachystigma macrocalyx (a closeup of the flower is shown in "Flowering now (October 2015))

After enjoying lunch at Clearwater, we drove up to Beacon Hill to show the students a different spectrum of plant genera. Orchids are particularly well represented amongst the more obvious yellow, white and pink daisies.

UNITRA group with Pondoland CREW

Kate pointing out some features of Genlisea hispidula to Scott and April

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A,Uschi T, April, Scott and Sizwe Cawe

Outing with BirdlifeSA Trogons bird club

On Sunday three of us joined the Trogons Bird Club at the Beacon Hill offices to provide their members with some guidance on the flowers they were seeing during and after their bird watching outing. As the birders had already been busy for some time when we arrived, we only walked for a short distance coastwards from the offices, but nevertheless managed to give them a good exposure to the grassland plants of that area. Some of these were less obvious species like Brachystelma australe, plant they might have missed otherwise.

Their scribe has submitted a very good report on their visit on the Trogons' blog at http://birdlifetrogons.blogspot.co.za/2015/09/outing-report-27-september-2015-beacon.html

Participants: Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G.

Flowering now (October 2015)

The grassland, particularly the firebreaks which were burned first, are looking great with many flowers. New species are appearing every week so it is no problem visiting the same patches after even a short interval as there is always something new to see.

Anacampseros rufescens

Argyrolobium harveyanum

Boweia volubilis

Brachystelma australe

Brachystelma pygmaeum with several follicles

Caesia contorta

Carpobrotis dimidiatus

Craterostigma sp. nov.

Cycnium racemosum

Cyphostemma rubroglandulosa

Disa caffra

Disa sagittalis

Disa versicolor

Eriosema cordata

Eriosemopsis subanisophylla

Eulophia angolensis

Eulophia angolensis

Ficus bizanae

Garcinia gerrardii (female flower)

Garcinia gerrardii (male flower)

Gazania rigens

Genlisea hispidula

Gladiolus dalenii

Hermannia grandistipula

Hybanthis enneaspermus

Hypoxis colchicifolia

Hypoxis membranaceus

Hypoxis nivea (ined.)

Indigofera herrstreyi (ined.)

Kniphofia parviflorum

Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. natalensis (female)

Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. natalensis (male)

Lotononis lotononioides

Lotus discolor

Moraea graminicola

Osmunda regalis

Pachystigma macrocalyx

Petopentia natalensis (one of its many synonyms)

Raphionacme palustris

Rawsonia lucida

Rhynchosia cooperi

Satyrium trinerve

Schizochilus zeyheri

Searsia pondoensis

Senecio natalicola

Scaevola plumieri

Sisyranthus imberbis

Sphenostylis angustifolia

The rare endemic Syzygium pondoense

Tephrosia grandiflora

The endemic subspecies of Tritonia disticha subsp. disticha

Watsonia inclinata

Watsonia pondoensis

Withania somnifera