Flowers of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains - Naturetrek

Flowers of South Africa’s 

Drakensberg Mountains 

Naturetrek Tour Report 6 - 19 January 2011 

Littonia modesta Pteragonium magnum Orchid Eucomis bicolor 

Kniphofia caulescens View of the Drakensbergs from Witsieshoek 

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England 

T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 

E: info@naturetrek.co.uk W: www.naturetrek.co.uk 

Report and images by Maureen Ponting

Tour Report Flowers of South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains 

Tour Leaders: Maureen Ponting Naturetrek Botanist 

Participants: John Wilkinson 

Jeremy Exelby Local Guide 

Angela Wilkinson 

Steve Dutmer 

Hennie Riemeijer 

Martin Jones 

Jill Jones 

Sandy Smith 

Morag Smith 

Lesley Causton 

Jacky Walker 

Richard Reader 

Day 1 Thursday 6th January 

Flight from Heathrow 

Day 2 Friday 7th January 

Heidelberg 

We arrived at Johannesberg to a hot sunny day, a warm welcome from Jeremy Exelby and a short drive to 

Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve for a picnic lunch. 

The afternoon was spent botanising and watching birds and animals. We drove to our guest house in Heidelberg 

where we were treated to a typical South African dinner, on the balcony overlooking the garden. 

Day 3 Saturday 8th January 

Howick 

Another hot, sunny day… Our first stop was to see a stand of Marsh Pokers. Then on to Spionkop Nature Reserve 

for a picnic and a short walk. After this we had a game drive and saw many animals, including Hartebeest, Giraffe 

and White Rhino. We resumed our drive to the Fern Hotel, Howick. 

Day 4 Sunday 9th January 

Howick 

In the morning we had a walk in the nearby Umgeni Reserve. We followed a ridge with spectacular views, stopping 

at a gorge. On the way we saw a bank of Candelabra flowers, Brunsvigia radulosa, and then a hillside of Watsonia 

densiflora. 

© Naturetrek March 11 1

Flowers of South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains Tour Report 

After a picnic lunch under some shady pines we stopped to look at Howick Falls and then on to Midmar Reserve. 

Here we found masses of the showy orchid, Eulophia welwitschii among the grassland. We finally stopped by a stand 

of reeds with masses of Red Bishop birds flitting between their nests. 

Day 5 Monday 10th January 

Sani Hotel 

Another lovely day! We drove to the Marutswa Forest where we had a steep walk under trees that included 

Podocarpus and Fig, with banks of ferns also Begonia sutherlandia and African Violets, Streptocarpus spp. The edge of 

the forest was rich with orchids and Littonia modesta climbing through the grass. After a picnic lunch, a short drive 

brought us to the Sani Hotel and a walk to the nearby Falls. 

Day 6 Tuesday 11th January 

Sani Hotel 

We awoke to cloud and an early start. Three 4WD vehicles were waiting to take us to the high Passes. On the way, 

we stopped to explore the Drakensberg fynbos where we saw interesting Proteas including the shrubby P. 

dracomontana with flowers ranging from pale pink to red. A thick mist came down but did not deter our skilled 

drivers who took us up the steep zigzag road past the Lesotho customs post at the Sani Pass (2873m) and on to the 

Kotisephala Pass (3240m). We disembarked in mist and rain to look for interesting alpines, including Helichrysum 

milfordiae, nestling in the rocks. 

We then drove down to the Sani Pass Lodge for some very necessary hot drinks. After looking at Rhodohypoxis baurii 

growing round the lodge, we took to our vehicles for the journey down, stopping and botanising on the way. 

Day 7 Wednesday 12th January 

Tendele 

An early walk to the Falls and a drive to Tendele, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. At Tendele we were 

welcomed by Hilary Exelby whose picnics and dinners were to keep us happy for the next four days. The sun came 

out and after settling into our round, grass-thatched Rondavels with a marvellous view of the Drakensberg 

Mounttains we set off for a walk, crossing a small stream with Phygelius aequalis growing on the banks before 

returning to drinks and dinner in the evening air. 

Day 8 Thursday 13th January 

Tendele 

After watching the sunrise on the mountains we started off for an all-day walk up the Tugela River. It was 

extremely hot and the party divided; some walking to the Tugela Gorge where they discovered Galtonia regalis, 

others walking more slowly, and botanising on the way, to a forest and a picnic lunch in the welcome shade. 

Eucomis bicolor was seen in a marsh and interesting orchids including the extraordinary-looking yellow-orange Liparis 

bowkeri were found in the forest. In the evening there was heavy rain and we crowded into Hilary’s rodavel and 

verandah for dinner. 

2 © Naturetrek March 11


Day 9 Friday 14th January 

Golden Gate National Park 

A warm sunny day… We drove to the Royal N.P. entrance where the party divided; some to walk along the Tugela 

River, and others, accompanied by a guide, climbing a steep path to cliffs with cave paintings which were extremely 

old but still visible. Underneath one cliff we saw an interesting shrub, Grewia occidentalis with pink flowers. We all 

met and then took the road to the Golden Gate Reserve, stopping on the way at Oliviershoek Pass, overlooking 

marvellous views of the KwaZulu-Natal midlands and the Sterkfontein Dam. After another stop for a picnic lunch 

we arrived at Golden Gate on a remote hillside to a cluster of attractive rondavels which had recently been built and 

were very comfortable and well-equipped. We then went for a sunny walk over the rocky hillsides, botanising and 

birding. We found Gladiolus papillio. In the evening there was a downpour, but dinner and drinks appeared without a 

hitch and we ate on verandahs watching the rain. 

Day 10 Saturday 15th January 

Golden Gate N.P. 

We woke to sun and views from our rondavels of the veldt, alive with Zebra, Bontibok, the White-faced Blesbok 

and Eland. We drove to Witsieshoek where a thick mist descended, but nevertheless we were able to find some of 

the plants we were hoping to see such as Brunsvigia natalensis, Eucomis humilis, Crocosmia pearsii and a mass of the white 

orchid Schizochilus flexuosa, amongst others. We drove further down in clear skies, looking back at the view down to 

Tendele. We then climbed a steep ridge with showy flowers of Cycnium racemosa growing on the slopes, and on the 

top, patches of Xerophyta viscosa, Black Stick Lily. 

Driving further down the valley we stopped for coffee at the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort Hoteland and explored 

their beautiful meadow which contained many of the plants we had missed further up, including Berheya speciosa and 

Sopubia cana, Silvery Sopubia and more Brunsvigias. After a picnic in another beautiful meadow we returned to 

Golden Gate for a walk and dinner in the sunset. 

Day 11 Sunday 16th January 

Oxbow 

Before leaving the Golden Gate Reserve we went to see the Basuto village, just above our rondavels. It is an 

interesting museum showing how the people lived and dressed in the past. We tasted their traditional sorghum beer 

(white and acidic) and roast mealies. Driving from Golden Gate, we looked for plants among the rocks and saw 

hard cushions of Euphorbia clavarioides amongst Gazania krebsiana. We then took the road to Oxbow back into 

Lesotho, stopping for lunch in Clarens and then though Buta Buta and the customs posts, up the steep road to the 

Moteg Pass (2820m), then down to the Oxbow Lodge on the banks of the Oxbow River where we were to spend 

two nights in rondavels and chalets. 

In the evening we drove a short way to the Oxbow Bridge and watched Lesotho shepherds with their huge flocks 

of sheep and goats crossing the river. We walked up the river bank and found Felicia drakensbergensis with its intense 

blue flowers; the aromatic shrub Eumorphia sericea and the tiny Green Devil orchid. We returned to the lodge. 



Day 12 Monday 17th January 

Oxbow 

A clear sunny day… We drove up to the Pass (3220m), stopping on the way to see large drifts of Kniphofia caulescens 

in marshes, with Gurney’s Sugarbirds flitting through them. Also in the marshes was the pink Hesperantha grandifora, 

and on the roadside, deliciously aromatic shrubs - Helichrysum trilineatum. We stopped briefly at the pass and again at 

a river bank, colourful with grey mats and yellow flowers of Helichrysum flanaganii and purple Geranium multisectum. 

We reached our destination, Lesotho’s diamond mine, where we botanised over large meadows and found 

interesting plants: patches of pink Diascia barberia, the magenta flowers of Senecio polyodon, and in a bare patch, the 

prostrate Lotononis galpinii with blue pea flowers and Glumicalyx lesoticus. Finally, just before leaving, we spotted the 

showy pink flowers of Diorama robustum. 

Day 13 Tuesday 18th January 

In flight 

Today we had an early start to drive to Johannesberg Airport 

Day 14 Wednesday 19th January 

Arrival at Heathrow 

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Lotononis galpinii Diascia barberaea 



Plant List (** seen in previous tours) 

Scientific Name English Name (if any) Location 

Monocotyledons 

Agavaceae 

Dracena aletriformis Long Leaved Dragon Tree Umgeni gorge 

Alliaceae 

Agapanthus campanulatus tall Agapanthus common 

Amaryllidaceae 

Brunsvigia natalensis Natal Candelabra Flower Witsieshoek 

B. radulosa Candelabra Flower Midmar and Umgeni 

Cyrtanthus epiphyticus red flowers Sani rocks & waterfall 

Haemanthus humilis Rabbits' Ears Suikerbosrand 

Anthericaceae 

Chlorophytum krookianum tall white flowers Marutswa Forest 

Araceae 

Zantedeschia albomaculata Spotted Leaved Arum Sani 

Z. aethiopica common 

Asphodelaceae 

Aloe aristata leaves only Royal Natal N.P. 

A. boylei orange flowers Witsieshoek 

A. cooperi tall orange flowers Umgeni 

A. ecklonis orange flowers Midmar 

A. ferox Bitter Aloe Suikerbosrand 

A. krausii Broad-leaved Aloe Umgeni 

A. modesta small yellow Aloe Umgeni 

A. polyphylla Spiral Aloe Basutu village 

Bulbine abyssinica Bushy Bulbine Witsieshoek 

Kniphofia caulescens Oxbow 

K. fluviatilis River Poker Sani Top 

K. linearifolia Common Marsh Poker roadside, Natal 

K. porphyrantha dwarf yellow Witsieshoek 

K. ritualis Solitary Poker Oxbow 

K. thodei Thode's Poker Sani top 

Trachyandra saltii tall white flowers Witsiehoek 

Colchicaceae 

Androcymbium striatum Pyjama Plant Sani top 

Littonia modesta yellow flowers Marutswa Forest 

Sandersonia aurantiaca Christmas Bells Sani roadside 

Commelinaceae 




Commelina africana yellow flowers common 

Cyanotis speciosa pink blue flowers 

Cyperaceae 

Cyperus obtusiflorus** White Flowered Sedge common 

C. rupestris Russet Rock Sedge common 

C.sphaerocephalus Yellow Sedge common 

Eriospermaceae 

Eriospermum mackenii Yellow Fluffy Seed (lvs only) Umgeni 

Hyacinthaceae 

Albuca angloensis Large Yellow Albuca Howick Falls 

A. setosa small white erect flowers Witsieshoek 

Eucomis autumnalis Common Pineapple grasslands 

E. bicolor Tall Pineapple Tugela 

E. humilis Dwarf Pineapple Witsieshoek 

E. schijffii Dark Pineapple Sani rocks 

Galtonia candicans** Common Berg Lily Tugela 

G. regalis Royal Berg Lily Tugela and Oxbow 

G. viridiflora** Green Berg Lily Witsieshoek 

Ledebouria spp. spotted leaves grassland 

Ornithogalum juncifolium grass-leaved Witsiehoek 

O. tenuifolium tall white flowers Suikerbosrand 

Scilla natalensis large leaves Tugela 

S. nervosa White Scilla Midmar and Umgeni 

Urginea macrocentra tall, white flowers Sani 

Hypoxidaceae 

Hypoxis argentia Small Yellow Star Flower Tugela 

H. colchicifolia Broad leaved Star Flower Midmar 

H. costata leafy Star Flower Witsiehoek 

H. hemerocallidae Star Flower Suikerbosrand 

H. rigidula Silver leaved Star Flower Suikerbosrand 

Rhodohypoxis baurii pink and white flowers Sani Top 

R. deflexa** flowers small, white/pink Lesotho marsh 

Iridaceae 

Aristea abyssinica Blue eyed Grass Umgeni 

A. angolensis branched blue flowers mountain grassland 

A. cognata Small Blue-Eyed Grass Sani Bottom, common 

A.woodii blue spikes Umgeni 

Crocosmia pearsii orange flowers Witsieshoek 

Dierama dracomontana Mountain Dierama Sani top-bottom 

D. robustum tall, pink flowers Lesotho meadow 

Dietes bicolor white petals, dark patch Suikerbosrand 




Gladiolus dalenii orange form Midmar 

G.dalenii dark form Sani Hotel 

G. flanaganii Suicide Lily cliffs above Sani 

G. longicollis pale yellow flowers Sani Top 

G. papillio Butterfly Gladiolus Golden Gate 

Hesperantha grandiflora pink flowers Oxbow 

Moraea albicuspa white Witsieshoek 

M. alpina blue Sani Top 

M. brevistyla white Witsieshoek 

M elliotii blue solitary flowers Midmar 

M. inclinata blue Sani bottom 

Tritonia disticha Red Tritonia Suikerbosrand & Umgeni 

Watsonia densiflora Natal Watsonia Umgeni 

Orchidaceae 

Corycium dracomontanum ** green lip Witsieshoek and Sani 

C. nigrescens Black faced Orchid Witsieshoek & Lesotho 

Disa sanguinea dense red spike Sani 

D. stachyioides purple flowers, white lip Witsieshoek 

Disperis cardiophora heart- shaped bracts Sani 

D. fanninae Granny Bonnet Tugela Forest 

D. tysonii pink flowers Sani 

Eulophia calanthoides large white flowers Marutswa Forest 

E. clavicornis white, dark sepals common 

E. foliosa green flowers Sani Hotel 

E. ovalis sepals brown common 

E. parviflora v. dark bracts Midmar 

E. welwitschii showy yellow fls Midmar 

E. zeyheriana** green/brown flowers Midmar 

Habenaria laevangata green flowers Marutswa Forest 

H. lithophyla green flowers Witsieshoek 

Huttonaea fimbriata small white orchid Tugela forest 

Liparis bowkeri fls yellow,petals v,narrow Tugela forest 

Neobolusia tysonii large white lip Tugela 

Polystachia ottoniana epiphytic on Podocarpus Tugela 

Pterygodium magnum robust pink flowers Marutswa Forest 

Satyrium cristatum white flowers, blotched red Marutswa Forest 

S. longicauda white and pink flowers common 

S. parviflorum Green Devil Orchid Lesotho 

Schizochilus flexuosa white, bent inflorescence Witsieshoek 

Poaceae 

Agrostis lachnantha Bent Grass Tugela 

Alloteropsis semialata Black Seed Grass roadside 

Brachiaria brizantha Common Signal Grass common 

Chloris virgata Featherhead Chlorus Suikerbosrand 




Cymbopogon excavatus Common Turpentine Grass Suikerbosrand 

Cynodon dactylon stoleniferous grass common on lawns 

Digitaria eriantha Common Finger Grass roadsides 

Eleusine coracana Goose Grass Heidelberg 

Eragrostis capensis Heart-seed Love Grass common 

E. curvula Weeping Love Grass Suikerbosrand 

E. gummeriflua Gum Grass roadside 

Harpochloa falx Caterpillar Grass Witsieshoek 

Hyparrhenia hirta Common Thatching Grass Natal grasslands 

Imperata cylindrica Cotton Wool Grass damp roadsides 

Melinis repens Natal Red Top Suikerbosrand 

Merxmuellera drakensbergensis dom. in alpine grassland 

Miscanthus capensis Daba Grass Tugela streamsides 

Panicum natalense Natal Panicum roadsides 

Phragmites australis Common Reed common 

Sorghum bicolor Common Wild Sorghum Suikerbosrand 

Sporobolus festivus Red Dropseed roadsides 

Stiburus alopecuroides red spikes roadsides 

Themeda triandra Red Grass dom. on much of Drakensberg 

Thamnocalamus tessellatus Berg Bamboo Tugela & Sani Hotel 

Velloziaceae 

Xerophyta viscosa Small Black Stick Lily Witsieshoek and Golden Gate 

Dicotyledons 

Acanthaceae 

Crabbea hirsuta Prickle Head Umgeni 

Thunbergia atriplicifolia Natal Primrose Midmar and Umgeni 

Aizoaceae 

Delasperma lavisiae Mountain Vygie Witsieshoek 

Anacardiaceae 

Rhus dentata Nana Berry common 

R. lancea Willow Rhus Suikerbosrand 

..................and many other species of Rhus 

Apiaceae 

Alepidea amatymbica Giant Alepidea Umgeni 

A. natalensis shorter than above common:Witsieshoek 

Bupleurum mundii yellow flowers common:Witsieshoek 

Apocynaceae 

Carrisa bispinosa evergreen shrub Tugela Forest 

Araliaceae 




Cussonia paniculata Mountain Cabbage Tree Suikerbosrand 

C. spicata Common Cabbage Tree Umgeni andTugela 

Asclepiadaceae 

Asclepias Gordon-grayae Gordon Gray Wire Stem Midmar 

Aspidonepsis reenensis tiny dark flowers Midmar 

Gomphocarpus physocarpus round inflated fruit common 

Schizoglossum atropurpureum black flowers Tugela 

Xysmalobium undulatum hairy inflated fruit roadside and Midmar 

Asteraceae 

Athrixia angustissima** daisy like flowers common 

A. fontana white carpets in marshes Lesotho 

Aster erucifolius prostrate, pink fls. Mahlasela Pass 

Berkheya cirsiifolia flowers yellow/white Witsieshoek 

B. multijuga Berg Thistle common in mountains 

B. rhapontica yellow flowers, felted leaves Tugela 

B. rosulata large clumps of yellow fls. Witsieshoek 

B. setifera prickly basal leaves,yellow fls. Tugela 

B. speciosa leaves basal, tall, yellow fls. Witsieshoek 

Chrysanthemoides monilifera shrub, yellow flowers Witsieshoek 

Chrysochoma ciliata dominant aromatic shrub Lesotho 

Cotula paludosa summit bogs Lesotho 

Dimorphotheca jacunda magenta rays Witsieshoek 

Eumorphia prostrata dominant on summit grassland Lesotho 

E. sericea shrub, white flowers Oxbow-bridge 

Euryops evansii shrub, showy yellow flowers Sani Pass 

E. tysonii shrub, showy yellow fls. Sani Top and Bottom 

Felicia drakensbergensis shrub, intense blue flowers Oxbow-bridge 

Gazania krebsiana yellow flowers common 

Haplocarpa scaposa solitary yellow flowers Umgeni 

High Alpine Helichrysums forming mats or cushions 

Helichrysum albo-brunneum** white flowers, dark tipped Mahlasela Pass 

H. album white, sol. flowers, red inside Kotisephola Pass 

H. bellum** solitary white fls. Kotisephola Pass 

H. flanagannii grey mats, yellow fls. Mahlasela & Lesotho 

H. marginatum mat-forming,lvs.white margin Witsieshoek 

H. milfordiae red rev. of white ray florets Kotisephola Pass 

H. montanum white patches, yellow fls. Cliffs, Witsieshoek 

H. monticolor white flowers Tugela and Witsieshoek 

H. pagophyllum hard cushion yellow fls. Kotisephola Pass 

H. sessilioides cushion forming, white fls. Kotisephola 

Herbaceous Helichrysums 




H. appendiculatum Sheep's Ears Everlasting Tugela 

H. herbaceum Monkey Tail Everlasting Tugela and Umgeni 

H. odoratissimum gray leaves, yellow flowers Tugela and Oxbow-bridge 

H. spiralepis cudweed-like Witsieshoek 

Helichrysum Shrubs 

Helichryum trilineatum Lesotho dom. arom. shrub, yellow fls 

Inulanthera thodei tall strg scented shrub, yellow fls. Lesotho 

Senecio haygarthii tall leafy stem fls. Tugela 

Senecio isatideus tall yellow fls. v. common: roadsides 

S. macrocephalus Mountain Senecio, magenta Lesotho marsh 

S. macrospermus lge.silver herb cov. hillsides Sani Pass 

S. polyodon branched, magenta flowers Lesotho 

Stoebe vulgaris Bankrupt Bush Suikerbosrand 

Ursinia montana yellow flowers Lesotho meadow. 

Vernonia natalensis Silver Vernonia Golden Gate 

Begoniaceae 

Begonia sutherlandia orange flowers Tugela and Marutswa Forest 

Boraginaceae 

Afrotysonia glochidiata** tall branched herb Tugela and Umgeni 

Cynoglossum austro-africanum blue flowers Witsieshoek 

Myosotis semiamplexicaulis bright blue Forget me Not Lesotho roadside 

Brassicaceae 

Heliophila formosa pink flowers Witsieshoek 

Balsaminaceae 

Impatiens hochstetteri pink flowers Marutswa &Tugela Forests 

Campanulaceae 

Craterocapsa congesta prostrate, blue term. fls. Witsieshoek 

C. tarsodes prostrate, fls. in leaf axils Tugela 

Wahlenbergia cuspidata blue flowers mountain grassland 

W. krebbsii blue fls., fine leaves mountain grassland 

Caryophyllaceae 

Cerastium arabidis white flowers Lesotho 

Dianthus basuticus Lesotho Dianthus Suikerbosrand & Oxbow 

D. zeyheri Wild Dianthus Midmar and Umgeni 

Silene bellidioides white flowers Tugela 

S. undulata white flowers, sticky Golden Gate 

Celastraceae 




Maytenus heterophylla** Common Spike Thorn Umgeni 

Convolvulaceae 

Ipomea crassipes large pink flowers Umgeni & Midmar 

Crassulaceae 

Cotyledon orbiculata** Pigs' Ears Lesotho 

Crassula. papillosa covering cliffs Witsieshoek 

C. peploides prostrate in marshes common 

C. setulosa mat-forming common: mountain rocks 

Dipsacaceae 

Cephalaria galpiniana white flowers forming mats Tugela and Witsieshoek 

Scabiosa columbaria Wild Scabious common 

Droseraceae 

Drosera natalensis** Sundew Tugela 

Ebenaceae 

Diospyros whyteana evergreen shrub Tugela forest 

Ericaceae 

Erica algida pink flowers Lesotho 

E. alopecurus long pink spikes Tugela 

E. cafforum calyx pink, white flowers Sani 

E. drakensbergensis white flowers Sani 

Euphorbiaceae 

Acalypher punctata leafy herb Marutswa and Tugela 

Euphorbia clavarioides cushion, yellow flowers rocks, Golden Gate 

E. epicyparissias shrub Tugela and Lesotho 

E. striata ** delicate herb roadside 

Fabaceae 

Acacia caffra Hook Thorn Umgeni 

A. karoo Sweet Thorn Suikerbosrand:common 

A. sieberana Paperbark Acacia Umgeni 

Bauhinia galpinii Red Bauhinia (shrub) Umgeni 

Calpurnia aurea Natal Laburnum Marutswa Forest 

C. sericea** shrub, yellow-red flowers Golden Gate 

Dalbergia obovata Flat-Bean Tree Umgeni 

Elephantorrhiza elephantina Elephant's Foot, large pods Suikerbosrand 

Indigofera foliosa** leafy shrublet Sani Hotel 

I. hedyantha shrub, red flowers Witsieshoek 

I. hilaris Red Indigo Bush common: grassland 

Lessertia perennans** shrub, pink flowers Sani 




Lotononis galpinii prostrate, blue flowers high altitude 

L. galpinii upright, blue flowers Sani &Witsieshoek 

L. laxa prostrate yellow flowers Witsieshoek 

L. lotonoides shrub, blue fls Sani 

L. pulchella shrub, pale blue flowers Sani and Witsieshoek 

L. sericophylla grey shrub, blue fls.,yellow keel Sani 

Pseudarthria hookeri** Bug Catcher Umgeni 

Sphenostylis angustifolia Wild Sweetpea Bush Midmar 

Sutherlandia montana Mountain Balloon Pea Sani 

Trifolium burchellianum Clover common in grassland 

Fumariaceae 

Cysticarpnos pruinose Wild Fumaria Sani Pass 

Gentianaceae 

Sebaea sedoides yellow flowers Lesotho 

Geraniaceae 

Geranium caffrum white/pale pink fls. Tugela 

G. drakensbergensis blue- purple flowers Sani Pass Road 

G. multisectum mat-forming Oxbow & Lesotho river bank 

G. pulchrum silvery sub shrub in huge patch Sani roadside 

G. wakkerstroomianum White Geranium Marutswa Forest 

Monsonia attenuata white veined flowers common in grassland 

Pelargonium acraeum Horseshoe Pelargonium Witsieshoek 

P. luridum Tall Pelargonium Suikerbosrand and Umgeni 

Gesneraceae 

Streptocarpus gardenii paleviolet flowers Tugela & Marutswa Forest 

S. polyanthus large leaf, pale violet fls. Umgeni Gorge. 

S. pusillus spike, many white fls Marutswa Forest (?) 

S. pentherianus small white-violet flowers Tugela and Marutswa Forests 

Greyiaceae 

Greya sutherlandii Natal Bottlebrush Tree common 

Gunneraceae 

Gunnera purpensa Wild Rhubarb common: streamsides 

Hypericaceae 

Hypericum aethiopicum yellow flowers Tugela 

Lamiaceae 

Ajuga ophrydis Bugle common 

Mentha longifolia Horse Mint wet grassland 

Leonotis intermedia Broad leaved Leonotis Suikerbosrand & Umgeni 




L. leonurus narrow leaves Umgeni 

Plectranthus calycinus fls. creamy, tipped purple Tugela 

P. grallatus white-pink flowers Tugela 

Stachys aethoiopica Witsieshoek 

Syncolostemon densiflorus Pink Plume Umgeni 

Lobeliaceae 

Cyphia longifolia** spike of cream flowers Witsieshoek 

Lobelia flaccida small blue flowers grassland 

L. galpinii carpets of bright blue fls. Mahlasela Pass 

L. presleii showy blue flowers Witsieshoek 

L. vanreenensis** white flowers Tugela 

Monopsis decipiens blue flowers Witsieshoek 

Malpighiaceae 

Sphedamnocarpus sp.** shrub, yellow flowers Suikerbosrand 

Malvaceae 

Anisodontea julii pink flowers, Sani bottom 

Hibiscus trionum Bladder Hibiscus common 

Melastomataceae 

Dissotis princeps** Purple Wild Tibouchina Umgeni 

Menispermaceae 

Cissampelos tortulosa yellow flowered climber Tugela Forest 

Moraceae 

Ficus natalensis Wild Fig Umgeni 

Myrsinaceae 

Rapanacea melanophloeos Cape Beech Umgeni 

Myrtaceae 

Syzygium cordatum Water Berry Umgeni 

Oleaceae 

Olea europaea subsp. africana Wild Olive Suikerbosrand 

Oxalidaceae 

Oxalis obliquifolia pink flowers common 

Papaveraceae 

Papaver aculeatum orange flowers Oxbow and mtns.of Lesotho 

Polygalaceae 

Polygala hottentotta slender herb Tugela 




P. ohlendorfiana herb, bright red flowers Witsieshoek 

P. virgata slender shrub Drak.fynbos 

Polygonaceae 

Rumex woodii decor. red fruit (still green) Witsieshoek 

Proteaceae 

Protea caffra common in fynbos 

P. dracomontana shrub Drak. fynbos 

P. ruppelliae Silver Sugarbush Tree Drak fynbos 

P. subvestita narrow flower heads Drak. fynbos 

Ranunculaceae 

Ranunculus baurii** large round leaves Witsieshoek 

R. meyeri Bog Buttercup, round lvs. common 

R. multifidus pinnate leaves common 

Thalictrum rhynchocarpum tall feathery herb Tugela and Marutswa Forests 

Rosaceae 

Geum capensis yellow flowers Lesotho 

Leucosidea sericea shrub forms thickets in mtns. 

Rubus cuneifolius American Bramble: weed Sani Bottom 

R. ludwigii Silver Bramble Golden Gate 

R. proteus spreading weed Sani 

Rubiaceae 

Pavetta gracilifolia small shrub Umgeni 

Pentanisia angustifolia blue flowers common 

P. prunelloides** blue flowers common in grassland 

Rothmanniana capensis tree, strongly scented fls Umgeni and Marutswa Forest 

Rutaceae 

Clausena anisata Horsewood [strong scent] Umgeni and Tugela 

Calodendrum capense Cape Chestnut, pink fls. Tugela and Marutswa Forest 

Zanthoxylum sp. Knobwood Marutswa Forest 

Scrophulariaceae 

Cycnium racemosum pink showy flowers Tugela, Lesotho & Witsieshoek 

Diascia barberaea large bright pink flowers Oxbow road and Lesotho meadow 

D. integerrima erect spikes rocky areas, Sani 

Glumicalyx goseloides Gooseneck Sani and Witsieshoek 

G. lesuticus compact inflorescence Lesotho meadow 

G. montanus** pale yellow Lesotho 

G. nutans small drooping inflorescence Sani Top rocks 

Halleria lucida Tree Fuschia Tugela 

Harveya pulchra** parasitic pink flowers Sani road 




H. speciosa parasitic white flower Tugela 

Hebenstretia dura white spikes Mahlasela Pass 

Jamesbrittenia breviflora brick red flowers Sani 

J. jurassica** prostrate, lilac flowers Kotisephola Pass 

J. pristisepala aromatic shrublet, blue fls. Witsieshoek and Lesotho 

Limosella longiflora aquatic, long leaves Lesotho 

L.vesiculosa white flowers, aquatic Oxbow 

Manulea platystigma yellow flowers Lesotho meadow 

Nemesia caerulea blue flowers Lesotho meadow 

N.rupicola ** pink flowers Lesotho 

Phygelius aequalis flower tubes straight Tugela 

P. capensis flower tubes curved Oxbow 

Selago densiflora branched herb, white fls. Suikerbosrand 

S. galpinii prostrate blue/violet fls Mahlasela & Sani Top 

S. flanaganii shrub, mauve flowers Sani roadside 

S. tarachodes herb, clusters of white fls. roadside 

Sopubia cana Silvery Sopubia common 

Striga asiatica orange flowers Umgeni 

S. bilabiata pink-red flowers common in grassland 

Sutera patriotica showy pink flowers Sani roadside 

Zaluzianskya elongata** long narrow inflor. mountain grassland 

Z. microsiphon pink buds, white flowers Tugela and Witsieshoek 

Z. natalensis** terminal fls Witsieshoek and Oxbow 

Solanaceae 

Lycium acutifolium shrub: red berries Tugela 

Sterculiaceae 

Hermannia malvifolia yellow flowers Umgeni 

H. woodii red flowers Sani Bottom 

Thymelaceae 

Dais cotinifolia Pom pom Tree Tendele & Howick 

Passerina montana dense, leafy shrub Witsieshoek 

Tiliaceae 

Grewia occidentalis shrub: pink flowers cave-painting cliff RNNP 

Sparrmannia ricinocarpa creamy white flowers Marutswa Forest 

Ulmaceae 

Celtis africana White Stinkwood Umgeni 

Verbenaceae 

Lippia javanica Lemon Bush Suikerbosrand 

Verbena aristigera Fine leaved Verbena roadside weed 




V.bonariensis Tall Verbena common weed 

V. brasiliensis smaller Verbena common weed 

Vitaceae 

Cyphostemma cirrhosum branched yellow flowers Midmar 

Ferns 

Adiantum poiretii Fine Maidenhair Fern Tugela Forest 

Asplenium adiatum nigrumn Black Spleenwort Tugela 

Blechnum giganticum Tall Hard Fern Tugela 

Cheilanthes quadripinnata Tugela Gorge 

Cyanthea dregei Common Tree Fern Tugela and Umgeni 

Gleichenea unibractiflora creeping, climbing forked fern Tugela 

Mohria vestita Scented Fern v. common 

M. rigida upright fern Suikerbosrand 

Ophioglossum vulgatum Common Adder's Tongue Witsieshoek 

Pellaea calomelanos Blue Rock Fern common 

Pleopeltis macrocarpa Lance Fern epiphitic on trees 

Polystichum spp Shield Ferns 

Pteris catoptera Long tipped Pteris Tugela Forest 

P. cretica Avery Fern Tugela 

Lychopodium clavata Club Moss Tugela Forest 

Zamiaceae 

Encephalartos ghellinckii Drakensberg Cycad Tugela 

Conifers 

Podocarpaceae 

Podocarpus falcatus Outeniqua Yellowwood Umgeni and Marutswa Forest 

P. henkelii Henkels Yellowwood Umgeni 

P. latifolius Real Yellowwood Umgeni and Marutswa Forest 

Cupressaceae 

Widringtonia nodiflora Mountain Cypress common 

Main Field Guides Used 

A Field Guide to Wild Flowers: Kwazulu Natal and the Eastern Region Elsa Pooley 

Mountain Flowers Elsa Pooley Trees of Natal Elsa Pooley 

The Flora of the Natal Drakensberg Donald Killick 

Guide to Grasses of Southern Africa

Flowers of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains - Naturetrek

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