Our target species for the day was the critically rare Brunia trigyna, the "Pondoland ghost-bush". As plants in cultivation in our area are flowering, we decided to head off to Adventure Kloof in the Umtamvuna reserve to see how the only known natural population in the reserve was faring. When we arrived at the gate to the Western Heights we could see a management fire burning some distance away and closer to the Umtamvuna River but thought it prudent to check that our vehicles were not in danger - fortunately the Reserve Manager reassured us the vehicles were safe.
As we turned inland we came across a small clump of delicate pink Helichrysum ecklonis buds. Once we reached the brow of the hill we noticed what appeared to be white flowers from a distance but were the fluffy white seed heads of Lopholaena dregeana. The individual seeds of this species are surprisingly large.
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| Helichrysum ecklonis |
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| Lopholaena dregeana seed heads |
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| Lopholaena dregeana seed |
On the way we encountered several flower spikes of Eulophia parviflora. We headed straight down to the stream and then walked along the forest margin to check if there was anything flowering there. And indeed there was. Close to the stream we found a small patch of the Rare Chironia albiflora. this is only the second subpopulation we have found in the Umtamvuna NR. These were growing close to a miniature forest of Lycopodiella cernua, and not far away was Diospyros scabrida in flower.
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| Chironia albiflora |
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| The conifer-like fern Lycopodiella cernua |
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| Diospyros scabrida |
We hunted around the two pools where we have seen the Brunia (Raspalia) trigyna before and it was not long before we found two, both in good condition and bearing buds. Further downstream we found Struthiola pondoensis with a few scattered flowers. There were also several specialists that occupy seeps on the rocky banks of the stream -- Drosera madagascariensis, Utricularia sandersonii and Genlisea hispidula, all in flower.
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| Brunia (Raspalia) trigyna in bud |
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| Struthiola pondoensis |
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| Utricularia sandersonii |
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| Genlisea hispidula |
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| Drosera madagascariensis |
After clambering around the rocky outcrops of these steep slopes above the Bulolo River, we found a pleasant spot in the warm winter sunshine where we stopped for lunch. As we settled down we realised we had found ourselves in a small group of isolated Disa baurii hiding between the tall grass tussocks.
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| The lunch spot - enjoying the winter sun |
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| Disa baurii |
After lunch we wandered on, finding Oldenlandia tenella sheltering under some large rocks. The patterned Pelargonium luridum leaves caught our attention, as did a Wahlenbergia capillacea.
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| Oldenlandia tenella |
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| Colourful leaf of Pelargonium luridum |
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| Wahlenbergia capillacea |
Heading back to the vehicle we saw several Athrixia phylicoides and some of the Agothosma ovata were starting to flower.
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| Athrixia phylicoides |
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| Agathosma ovata |
We found a spot where a large rock seemed to be held balanced in place by a rather twisted Cussonia. On top of this rock was a blooming colony of Haemanthus albiflos.
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| Risking life and limb under the perched rock |
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| Haemanthus albiflos |
Participants: Anne S, Colin T, Dorothy M, Gail B-W, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Nicky N., Tracy T.
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