SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 133 In this issue 135 Editorial 136 Profile: Esperança da Costa 138 Tribute to Christopher Willis 142 16th AETFAT meeting: opening speech 147 Vision for AETFAT in the next millenium 152 SSC9 held in Meise, Belgium 152 NBI External Review 154 GTI Workshop for Africa 155 Fifth International Solanaceae Conference 161 IUBS—advancing biology in the 21st Century 163 Red Data List: the road to conservation in Mozambique 167 Red Data List: spotlight on Swaziland 168 Red Data List: the Zimbabwe workshop 170 Brachystegia spiciformis—an exciting discovery 173 Living Plant Collections: Kirstenbosch 182 Computerisation Update 185 Southern African Botanical Gardens Needs Assessment published 191 The Second World Conservation Congress 193 World-wide checklist of plants in cultivation 194 Southern African Herbaria: Compton Herbarium 197 Obituary: Aubrey Banda 198 The Paper Chase 203 Book Review: • Augrabies Splendour • 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 206 E-mail Addresses 215 Regional News Update

FRONT COVER: Spring daisies next to the main lawn, Kirstenbosch. (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones)

134 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 programmer, Mr Franco Alberts, who will be responsible for the future advancement in the computerisation of participating herbaria. We welcome him to the SABONET team.

The Red Data List project has enhanced its capacity-building actions over the last few months, with three major training courses and workshops held in Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. We Editorial publish a report on these meetings to illustrate how Welcome to the 15th edition of SABONET News, these countries made contributions to the Red Data the last newsletter of the Southern African Botani- List and resolved discrepancies as part of their cal Diversity Network Project for the year 2000. assessment process. This is the official newsletter of a GEF/UNDP supported regional capacity building project, more This edition includes articles on the first discovery commonly known as SABONET. The major event of Brachystegia spiciformis in South Africa; a new to have taken place recently has been the transfer SABONET publication: Southern African Botanical of Christopher Willis from his current position as Gardens Needs Assessment; as well as a profile on Regional Coordinator of the SABONET Project, to Prof. Dr. Esparança Costa from the Agostinho Neto Director: Gardens & Horticultural Services within University in Angola. the National Botanical Institute, South Africa. As new Regional Coordinator I should probably say Fortunately Christopher will remain at the same something about myself. I was born in a small address where he will be able to provide guidance town called Empangeni, and grew up in other to the new SABONET Regional Coordinator, Stefan small towns named Hluhluwe, Mandini and Siebert. We wish Christopher all the best in his Matatiele—all wonderful places in the green new position and we are certain he will success- province of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal. I am a fully transform this new challenge into an exciting botanist with an interest in biodiversity studies and achievement. Special words of thanks and grati- am currently finalising my Ph.D. at the University tude from his team, country coordinators and of Pretoria. For this project I spent a lot of time in colleagues are featured in this issue. the undulating hills of Sekhukhuneland, kingdom In this edition we report back on the Fifth Interna- of the Pedi in South Africa, an intriguing place with tional Solanaceae Conference, held in July 2000. a rich human, botanical and geological history. The Second World Conservation Congress was held I am sure that you will once again join me in in Amman, Jordan, from 4-11 October 2000. This thanking Christopher Willis, Janice Golding, congress focussed on aspects concerning conserva- Nyasha Rukazhanga-Noko, Carina Haasbroek and tion of biodiversity and programme development, Marthina Mössmer for their tremendous dedication in the light of the predicted extinction crisis. The and enthusiasm during another successful year of XVIth AETFAT 2000 Meeting was held in Meise, the SABONET project. From the SABONET edito- Belgium (28 August to 2 September 2000). A report rial team, we would like to wish our readers a takes a look at the history and aspirations of peaceful and safe holiday season and a successful AETFAT. The 9th Meeting of the SABONET Steering and productive New Year. ❑ Committee and the 2nd TriPartite Review of SABONET were held shortly before the AETFAT meeting in Meise, Belgium, on 27 August 2000. Stefan J. Siebert In addition to our regular features, this issue of SABONET Regional Coordinator SABONET News launches a new series featuring 15 December 2000 the living collections in southern African botanical gardens. The first garden to be portrayed is Kirstenbosch—one of southern Africa’s most renowned gardens. Our series on southern African herbaria continues, with the Compton Herbarium, SABONET web site: South Africa, being featured. We have also included a follow-up article on the computerisation of specimens in southern African herbaria. We www.sabonet.org have finally managed to appoint a SABONET

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 135 P r o f i l e Biologia em Fevereiro de 1985 com a defesa da tese. A tese que constituía um estudo “Taxonómico da Esperança da Costa família Bignoniaceae para Conspectus Florae Angolensis” foi elaborada no decorrer do estágio de um ano que efectuou, sob a orientaçâo da Dra Maria Adélia Diniz Martins, de 1983 a 1984 no Centro de Botânica do Instituto da Investigaçâo Cientifica em Liboa Portugal. O estágio foi suportado por uma bolsa de estudo da Fundaçâo Calouste Gulbenkian de Portugal, comparticipada pelo Instituto Nacional de Bolsas de Angola (INABE). Regressando a Luanda em 1985 foi contratada como assistente para a disciplina de Biologia das Plantas no Departamento de Biologia da faculdade de Ciências, e cedo assumiu a chefia da secçâo de Biologia das Plantas tendo organizado um Herbário que hoje constitui o Herbário didático da Facul- dade. Foi convidada em 1985 pela African Biosciences ▲ Esperança da Costa Network (ABN) a participar no meeting que se (A summary in English follows the Portuguese.) realizou em Harare em Dezembro do mesmo ano sobre “Forest Management in Africa”, tendo por Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa, isso assumido a responsabilidade de ponto de casada, nascida aos 3 de Maio de 1961 no bairro contacto da ABN em Angola. Indígena uma zona modesta da cidade de Luanda. Em 1967 ingressou na escola primária no 227 do Dirigiu o Departamento de Biologia da Faculdade referido bairro, onde estudou até à 40 classe. Ainda desde 1986 a 1990. Em 1988 concorreu para a cate- durante a fase de infância cedo se revelou o seu goria de Assistente graduado e foi aprovada. Em gosto pela natureza principalmente por plantas 1990 integrou o grupo de quadros da Universidade ajudando sempre a sua mâe nos cuidados de jardim. Agostinho Neto seleccionados e autorizados a frequentar cursos de Pós graduaçâo no exterior do Ingressou na Escola Secundária General Geraldo Pais. Assim frequentou em 1990 a parte curricular Victor na Villa Alice em 1970 onde concluiu em 1972 do curso de Mestrado em Produtividade Vegetal da o 2E ano do secundário. Em 1977 terminou o ensino Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (UTL) e em 1992 Liceal que efectuou no Liceu Feminino D. Guiomar iniciou o desenvolvimento de pesquisas na área da de Lencastre, em Luanda, tendo se destacado pelas Fitoecologia conducentes á elaboraçâo de uma tese médias que possuía ficando apertencer ao quadro de Doutoramento, que viria a terminar com sucesso de Honra da Escola. Foi encaminhada para o ensino em 1997 no Instituto Superior de Agronomia da Superior no Pré Universitário de Biologia que UTL. funcionou no ano lectivo 1978/79 na Faculdade de Ciências. È membro de várias organizaçôes cientificas, nacionais e internacionais. Participou em vários congres- Frequentou a licenciatura em Biologia na mesma sos cientificos, organizou em 1999 as 3as Jornadas Faculdade onde pela excelente média que possuia Cientificas da Faculdade de Ciências. É autora de foi em 1982 recrutada como monitora coadjuvando cerca de 10 artigos cientificos. o Professor Carlos Alvarez na regência prática da disciplina de Cormófitos, tendo elaborado um Orienta teses de licenciatura aos alunos do último “Manual de protocolos de aulas práticas da discipli- ano da licenciatura em Biologia e participa activa- na de Cormófitos”. Terminou a licenciatura em mente na colaboraçâo com Instituiçôes cientificas

136 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 nacionais para o estabelecimento de programas INABE (National Institute of Bursaries of cientificos de biodiversidade, multidisciplinares de Angola). caracter nacional e regional. Returning to Luanda in 1985, Esperança was Hoje é Professora Titular da Universidade Agosti- appointed Assistant in Plant Biology within the nho Neto, Vice-Directora para os Assuntos Biology Department of the Science Faculty at the Cientificos da Faculdade de Ciências e responsável University of Agostinho Neto. She soon pro- pelo Herbário de Luanda. Como tarefas e objectivo gressed to head this unit and helped to develop principal a atingir, pretende dinamizar a the Luanda Herbarium, which is an invaluable investigaçâo cientifica em Angola, aliciar recursos asset to the faculty. In December 1985 she was humanos para a área da docência e investigaçâo invited by the African Biosciences Network botânica por forma a contribuir para a inventariaçao (ABN) to participate in a meeting on “Forest do coberto vegetal em Angola, contribuindo assim Management in Africa” in Harare, Zimbabwe. She para uma gestâo integrada dos recursos naturais thus became the contact person for ABN in An- existentes. gola. She headed the Biology Department at the University of Agostinho Neto from 1986 to 1990. Para além das tarefas ligadas ao profissionalismo In 1990 she was given the opportunity to under- gosta de andar a pé e de cozinhar e de ouvir música. take a Masters Degree in Plant Productivity at the Technical University of Lisbon (UTL), Portugal. In 1992 she began researching an area of plant ENGLISH SUMMARY ecology, which culminated in a doctorate being awarded to her in 1997 by the Institute for Esperança Maria Eduardo Francisco da Costa was Agronomy of the UTL, Portugal. born on 3 May 1961 in a modest suburb of Luanda. In 1967 she started Primary School in her She is a member of various scientific organisa- home suburb. Her love of nature—especially tions, both nationally and internationally. She has plants—was visible at an early age, as she loved participated in several scientific congresses and helping her mother care for their garden. authored approximately ten scientific articles. She started Secondary School in 1970 at the Escola She now supervises students in Biology and Secundária General Geraldo Victor in Villa Alice. actively participates in scientific programmes In 1977 she completed her high school education concerning biodiversity, both nationally and which took place at the Liceu Feminino D. regionally. Esperança is currently National Coor- Guiomar de Lencastre in Luanda. Esperança dinator for the SABONET Project in Angola. She excelled in her studies at high school and was is a Professor at the Agostinho Neto University, awarded academic honours. She then studied for Vice-Director for Scientific Matters within the a degree in Biology at the Science Faculty [of Science Faculty and manages the Luanda Her- Agostinho Neto University] where she was barium. Her main objectives are to promote appointed as an Assistant Lecturer to Professor scientific research in Angola and mobilise human Carlos Alvarez. She completed her degree in 1985 resources into lecturing and botanical research in with her thesis on the taxonomy of the family order to contribute to the inventory of vegetation Bignoniaceae for Conspectus Florae Angolensis. She cover of Angola, in this way contributing to an then furthered her research by spending a year integrated approach to natural resource manage- under the mentorship of Dr Maria Adélia Diniz ment. Esperança is married, and besides the Martins, from 1983 to 1984 at the Centro de activities related to her profession, she enjoys Botânica (Centre for Botany) at the Instituto de hiking, cooking and listening to music. ❑ Investigação Cientifica (Institute for Scientific Research) in Lisbon, Portugal. The visit was supported by funding from the Calouste Translated from the original Portuguese by Gulbenkian Foundation in Portugal and from the Carla Willis.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 137 Goodbye (but not farewell), Christopher Your big heart will be missed

▲ Chris with Dr Alan Rodgers of UNDP/GEF, Arusha, Tanzania, and Prof. Brian Huntley, CEO of the National Botanical Institute, South Africa. (Photo: G.F. Smith)

The major recent event to take place within the pleasant way in which he has always given SABONET Project has been the transfer of Mr encouragement to colleagues at the National Christopher Willis from his current position as Botanical Institute and further afield in southern Regional Coordinator of the SABONET Project, to Director: Gardens and Horticultural Services Africa. He is always friendly and helpful and within the National Botanical Institute, South believes in personal involvement to get things Africa. He has been a great inspiration to all the done. It should therefore not come as a surprise people involved in the SABONET Project and that Chris has contributed the lion’s share of copy the driving force behind its success. It would be for many numbers of SABONET News, been co- inappropriate to publish this edition without author of most books in the occasional Report words of goodbye to the man who made this newsletter possible. This is what his colleagues Series, arranged a number of training courses had to say: (some single-handedly), kept up a lively correspondence with the National Coordinators of ten Prof. Gideon Smith, Office of the Research Director, countries, participated actively in field trips, National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South Africa: represented the Project at a variety of different Since the appointment of Chris Willis to the national, regional and international forums, I position of SABONET Coordinator in 1996, I have could go on … had the pleasure and privilege of working closely Chris is now Director for Gardens and Horticultural with him on a number of major initiatives. This Services of the National Botanical Institute, based in has meant that together we have travelled almost Pretoria, and I am looking forward to many more 70 000 km by car and aeroplane, sharing innumer- years of close and productive collaboration. I am able meals spiced up with Nali (a rather sharp sure he will rise to the occasion of this very impor- Malawian chilli sauce) and enjoying a variety of tant responsibility and make a great success of it. chocolate mousses of widely differing quality! Above all, Chris, I am sure you will enjoy this new Perhaps I can therefore claim that over the past challenge and bring to it the same levels of drive, five-odd years I have had many opportunities to inspiration and commitment and, of course, main- get to know Chris rather well. Most impressive of tain an active interest in SABONET. his numerous positive qualities has been his energetic commitment to SABONET and the Go well!

138 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Rosemary Williams, Natal Herbarium, ent nations is quite a challenge but he took it on National Botanical Institute, Durban, South Africa: boldly and very professionally. His tireless, unsparing and dedicated work was comple- Best wishes and many thanks to Chris from all at mented by a positive attitude towards his task Natal Herbarium. We’re sure his energy and hard and colleagues. I think we can all learn from his work that have been a driving force in making example. I wish him success in his new task and SABONET so successful, will be much appreci- hope to see his continued support for SABONET. ated in his new post. Esperança Costa, Luanda Herbarium, Luanda, Mbaki Muzila, University of Botswana Herbarium, Angola: University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana: We wish Christopher Willis all the best in his new To show our appreciation of the support we have job and please Chris, stay close to us. received from SABONET, through Mr Chris Willis’s hard work, I would like to congratulate Puleng Matebesi, Herbarium, him on his new appointment. National University of Lesotho, Lesotho: It has been a pleasure working with Chris, espe- Annaniah, Angela, Florence and Patrick, cially during the tough days in Lesotho. We wish Herbarium, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia: him good luck and know he will work hand-in- Christopher Willis, SABONET-Zambia will miss hand with his new colleagues. you very much. You have been such a nice person to work with in this Project. We’ll never regret Farewells from Zimbabwe: having been under your leadership as the It was nice having you in the SABONET pro- SABONET Regional Coordinator. gramme. You were quite an inspiration to us— Your approach was so open and very sociable; but Memory Chandinyira you stood firm in championing the ideals of Thank you so much for being a blessing to SABONET. Having come this far, we thank you SABONET and to many people. You have been a for your words of wisdom and encouragement. great help in SABONET. I wish you all the best in You made life so easy and comfortable during all your new position—Erina Nyamhanga SABONET training courses, culminating in one of the most successful international efforts, in the Thank you very much for all the work and com- form of the Nyika 2000 Botanical Expedition. mitments you put into the SABONET programme. Your hard work and input to SABONET will be May God bless you in your new post—Nancy remembered and we hope we’ll still come back to Mugarisanwa you to learn. We wish you all the best in your new It was a great privilege working with you in post. SABONET. You coordinated the project with great wisdom and patience, and always made an effort Remember the SABONET-Zambia team loves you. to accommodate all of us! Your unique leadership Chris, keep your smile. We wish you the best of and your well-designed programmes groomed us luck. into competent botanists. Thank you for your input in our careers and best wishes in your new Titus Dlamini, Swaziland National Herbarium, job—Ratidzayi Takawira Swaziland: Your work in SABONET has been outstanding; It is difficult for me to find enough words to thank you so much for your good leadership and describe the tremendous amount of work Mr endurance. You bring good qualities to your new Willis has done for SABONET. Evidence of his post—Christopher Chapano invaluable efforts is the level of achievement reached by the project, especially the long list of It was nice to work with you in SABONET. Best SABONET publications. Working with ten differ- wishes in your new job—Anthony Mapaura

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 139 I really appreciated your sterling efforts and Staff of the Coordinator’s Office support under the SABONET programme. Best Pretoria, South Africa: wishes in your new post—Soul Shava Imagine the pain one feels when the head of the It was nice having you in the SABONET pro- family leaves to stay with someone else—al- gramme. I wish you the very best in your new though that person continues supporting the job—Phelex Manyanga family, the pain will still be there and it will definitely not be the same as when the person Your work in SABONET was greatly appreciated. was home all the time. This is exactly the pain the I wish you success in your new post and hope SABONET team is feeling about Mr Christopher you will continue the good work—David M. Willis’s move from being the SABONET Regional Mutigwa Coordinator to the position of Director: Gardens You were a pleasure to know and work with. The and Horticultural Services. We know it is the best success of SABONET thus far has been mainly the move for him and that it will be very challeng- result of your hard work and well-developed ing—but at the same time we feel envious be- diplomatic skills. I am sure you will be greatly cause we know what an asset he will be and how missed at our SABONET Steering Committee lucky the people who will be working with him Meetings—Nozipo Nobanda are.

▲ Chris next to a giant lobelia on Mount Kilimanjaro. (Photo: E. Romanowska)

140 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 During the years that we have known Chris, we that if they made a mistake, even omitting a full have known him to be a gentle person, dedicated stop, they had to re-print the whole lot! Chris was to his work and in particular to the SABONET very committed to his work and the phrase Lead Project. His laptop was his “second wife”, which By Example really applies in Chris’s case. We he carried around all the time. Now that he is no worked like a family and there are a lot of things longer part of SABONET, we think it will not each and every one of us learnt from Chris. He harm mentioning the name that we have given will be greatly missed by the SABONET team; the him over the years, which we doubt he knows advantage is that his office will be just three about as we only called him that when he was not doors away from the SABONET offices. We have within earshot: “Mr Perfect”. This was because however been blessed by getting a good replace- Chris always wanted things done the right way. ment for him: Stefan is proving to be an equally Even the printers of SABONET publications knew nice and gentle person. ❑

Coleen Mannheimer, National Herbarium, Windhoek, Namibia:

AG PLEASE CHRISTOPHER (sung to tune of Ag please Daddy)

Ag, please Christopher don’t leave us all here crying – All us sabonetteers needing you so much. We don’t want you to garden there, to horticult or to direct. We just want you to see us safely home and dry.

refrain

Workshops, meetings, budgets, people’s bleatings, Computers, vehicles, and all those publications.

We promise to obey your rules, to write our news and use our tools That SABONET and you have given us so far. We’re sorry we were sometimes late, we won’t get you into a state Just come back Chris and we will all be nice to you.

refrain

Please, please Willis, man, don’t be mean and leave us now Just when we were starting to like you so much We’ll all be bad and down our tools, go on strike and act like fools SABONET will wish they’d never heard of us.

refrain

So OK, friend go if you must, we’ll see you now and then we trust, We hope your new position is more fun for you. If it turns out you miss us too, we’d really like to hear from you So bye-bye Chris and don’t forget that WIND loves you.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 141 16th AETFAT Meeting: Opening speech Meise, Belgium, 27 August 2000 by Jan Rammeloo

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to welcome you to (British Museum) and Mr Milne-Redhead (Kew) the opening session of the AETFAT congress in the British Museum in order to discuss taxo- which takes place in one of the auditoria of the nomic problems in the genus Clematopsis. The two Free University of Brussels, the same venue British scientists had been working on the same where, 50 years ago, the first congress was held. family for flora projects in other parts of Africa. My heartfelt thanks to the rector who allowed us The result was not that their problems were to organise this meeting at this venue. At the completely solved—they needed more field same time I would use the occasion to point out observations for that, but that these three bota- that the rector himself has vast experience of nists became enthusiastic about the fact of having research in Africa. AETFAT is doing well. Almost met and discussed scientific matters. 230 members have registered and have arrived in This meeting, which later proved to be historic, Belgium for this congress. Almost half of them must be seen in its period: 50 years ago, five years work or live in Africa. after the Second World War, a time of handwrit- Botanists, and certainly taxonomists, face the ten or typewritten letters, a time when travelling, difficult task of having to classify and to give even within Europe, was still rather hazardous. A names to plants. Taxonomic decisions are not journey by boat to Africa, and certainly to central always evident, and even the best-trained taxono- Africa, took very long. Even by plane, travelling mists often struggle with taxonomic concepts time was very long, with more than one stopover when studying a group in detail. This was true for refuelling. Upon arrival in the tropics, one hundred years ago, it was true fifty years ago, botanising was very difficult too. At that time, and now, at the beginning of a new century, it is scientists were working in a rather isolated still true. Although molecular data are very manner. helpful nowadays, botanists doing fieldwork Seen in this context, it is clear that the three need practical tools. botanists were extremely happy with their Lon- Communication and exchange of ideas is very don meeting. M. Léonard proposed to organise useful when trying to solve problems, to get meetings of that kind on a regular basis, and Mr answers to scientific questions. If this exchange Exel proposed to create a new association—a can be organised in front of a live, critical, and bilingual association—to embrace French- and specialised audience, and if this leads to a better English-speaking countries in Africa, covering direct contact between researchers, resulting in nearly the whole of tropical Africa. The “Associa- collaboration, exchange of ideas and joint re- tion pour l’Etude Taxonomique de la Flore search programmes, then scientific research has a d’Afrique Tropicale” was proposed as a name. much higher chance of being effective and suc- The abbreviation AETFAT was to be pronounced cessful. in an English way. Fifty years ago, the basic need for contact be- In December 1950, 21 botanists gathered at Kew, tween scientists was already apparent. In 1950, accepting the idea of a new association, electing when Jean Léonard, assistant at the “Institut Mr Meikle as Honorary Secretary. The seven main national pour l’étude agronomique du Congo” objectives of the association were published in the (INEAC), was working on the Ranunculaceae for first Bulletin of 1951 to improve co-operation and the Flore du Rwanda Burundi, he met Mr Exel communication between botanists interested in

142 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Tropical African taxonomy. The objectives were The objectives which are enumerated have always (AETFAT Bulletin No. 1): been the leitmotiv of AETFAT. Today, we can conclude that 1. To invite those botanists actively engaged or interested in the study of the Tropical African 1. The association has a growing number of flora to join the association, and to inform the members Honorary Secretary of their particular interests. 2. The list of the members and their addresses is regularly published in the AETFAT Bulletin. 2. To circulate periodically a list of names and Members can make announcements or make addresses of members giving their special inter- requests to colleagues via the Bulletin. ests, requirements and desiderata (specimens or information). 3. A library has been created and new acquisitions are regularly published in the Bulletin. 3. To facilitate exchange of separates of published works, so far as is possible—members are spe- 4. Scientists have more contacts for their work on cially requested to send at least one copy of each the different floras: they can exchange ideas, with work as published to the Honorary Secretary. respect for divergent opinions. 5. Contacts between botanists working in the field 4. To correlate work on floras in course of publica- and herbarium botanists have improved. tion by attempting to reach agreement on nomenclature of species common to these floras, and, as 6. Plenary sessions and congresses are organised far as possible, on the major points of taxonomy on a regular basis, generally every third year. involved. This is our sixteenth congress.

5. To produce a series of maps showing the distri- The main objectives of the association have bution of species of ecological importance or of remained important. The means of achieving special interest. them have strongly evolved over the last fifty years, following the developments of modern 6. To provide a link between members working in society. This evolution is apparent in the increas- herbaria and those engaged in field studies in all ing number of members, the history of the Bulle- parts of Tropical Africa. tins, the congresses and the proceedings of the congresses. 7. To arrange meetings between members of the Association for discussion of particular taxo- From the numbers shown in Figure 1, it is clear nomic problems, and for collaboration in their that AETFAT has become a recognised forum for solution. botanists working on the African flora.

Figure 1

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 143 Let us have a look at the congresses and the kept in African herbaria and, furthermore, botany places where they were organised: and herbaria are not always—or even not at all— the main concern in African countries. African Brussels 1951; Oxford 1953; Paris 1957; Lisbon & herbaria do not always get the means they de- Coimbra 1960; Genova & Firenze 1963; Uppsala serve, which is harmful for continuity,—continu- 1966; Munich 1970; Genève 1974; Las Palmas ity being of vital importance to herbaria and 1978; Pretoria 1982; St Louis 1985; Hamburg 1988; botanical collections. Zomba 1991; Wageningen 1994; Harare 1997; Meise 2000. Nine congresses have been organised in Europe, AETFAT started with one hundred members at followed by one in Africa, one in the USA, one in the beginning of the fifties, growing steadily to Europe, one in Africa, one in Europe, one in about 200 members (1954), 244 (1959), 405 (1964), Africa, one in Europe. The fact that the congresses 419 (1968), 525 (1974), 590 (1978), 587 (1982), 646 are now organised alternately in an African (1985); 863 (1988), 990 (1992), 900 (2000). country and in a country from another continent (usually Europe for historic reasons), is a highly The Brussels Congress (1951) had 33 participants appreciated evolution. from 11 countries. In Lisbon and Coimbra there were 48 participants from 12 countries, and the Not only the number of congress participants and number of participants increased to 235 for this the number of members are important. When congress. Another feature, not to be neglected, is considering the member lists by country, it ap- that on the first photographs you can hardly find pears that in the beginning AETFAT was prima- any African participant—AETFAT was a Euro- rily an organisation of Europeans; even the pean-driven organisation. Later on, as can be members from African countries were Europeans. judged from the Wageningen Congress photo, In 1965 (Bulletin 16), 126 members came from Africans became more numerous, and now, nearly African countries, 38 of them were from South half the participants in the Meise Congress are Africa. In 1979, 167 members were from African living or working permanently in Africa. I think countries, 79 of them from South Africa. This that everybody is happy with this evolution. higher number of South African members is African botanists have been formed and are important for the history of botany in Africa, spreading their knowledge all over Africa. Never- considering that South Africa became the motor theless, a strong collaboration with European or behind SABONET, the botanical network of Western countries will remain important. The southern African countries. The creation of number of specimens conserved in European SABONET has really strengthened botanical herbaria largely exceeds the number of specimens research in the southern part of Africa, develop-

Figure 2

144 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 ing a south-south collaboration, a type of collabo- • Brussels 1951: Flore et végétation de l’Afrique ration that is considered extremely valuable for tropicale. the future. Since the creation of SABONET, the • Uppsala 1966: Conservation of vegetation in number of AETFAT members of African countries Africa south of the Sahara. has increased considerably. • Genève 1974: Origines des flores africaines et AETFAT activities are centralised by the Secretary malgaches. General, who changes after each congress. Be- tween two congresses contact is maintained • Las Palmas 1978: Taxonomic aspects of African through the publication of the Bulletin, which is economic botany. sent to all members. • Zomba 1991: Plants for the people. The first Bulletin was a stencilled leaflet of two • Wageningen 1994: The biodiversity of African pages. Now the Bulletin is a hefty volume and plants. modern offset printing techniques are used. Meise • Harare 1997: African plants. Biodiversity, introduced the use of the Internet as a major taxonomy and uses. facility for keeping contact and organising the congress. • Meise 2000: Systematics and geography of plants for the understanding of African Of even greater importance is the forum that is biodiversity. given to botanists working on the African flora to publish the results of their research in the pro- During the Oxford Conference of 1953 a commit- ceedings published after each congress. The tee was formed to prepare a vegetation map of Brussels meeting gave rise to 135 proceedings Africa, which was published six years later with pages, totalling 11 contributions. The most pro- the financial assistance of UNESCO. This map lific was the Zomba Conference with 1 512 pages was essentially based on information collected by of proceedings from 131 contributions. Even if the field workers in order to show the vegetation at number of pages does not necessarily give an idea the moment of mapping, not representing the of the scientific quality of the contents, these presumed climax types. proceedings have always been supervised by a Ten years later, because of the success of the first scientific reading committee, and therefore qual- map, it was decided at the Florence business ity is not questioned. meeting to prepare a new edition of the map. This More and more, AETFAT conferences have been new map—accompanied by a 356-page book focusing upon a general theme. Over the years, written by Frank White—was published in Eng- the general themes have been the following: lish in 1983, in French in 1986.

Figure 3

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 145 The publication of an annually produced index, ➢ The growing number of participants at con- whixh enumerated all new taxa from Africa gresses leads automatically to larger and larger published in that period, was an important tool proceedings, which on the one hand is a good for AETFAT scientists for many years. More thing, but on the other hand represents a great recently, this publication has been replaced by deal of work for the editor and demands an other publications and other resources. initial investment which is not negligible. ➢ AETFAT was also a motor for the publication of a If the congress is organised in Africa, the number of indexes: indexes on the exploration of Secretary General is, in most cases, obliged to Africa, indexes of families dealt with in African associate himself with institutions situated in floras, indexes of collection localities in different richer countries to be able to do good work. parts of Africa, collector indexes, indexes to I wish to be clear, the above points did not at all illustrations of vascular plants from Africa, make me regret the preparations for the congress, indexes to distribution maps of African plants.… but one day AETFAT should do a SWOT analysis, in order to get a clear idea of its possibilities and Ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that AETFAT has potential dangers. played an important role and will always play an important role in the development of African I had the feeling that this congress has been a botany. But AETFAT is a relatively singular turning point, in the sense that a “home page” for organisation; few similar ones exist. The the congress has greatly facilitated the often singularities of AETFAT made it a strong organi- difficult contacts with certain African countries. sation, but they can also make it vulnerable. The E-mail has certainly worked miracles, while most remarkable characteristics are the following: evidently not solving all the problems. I cannot ➢ It is an international association where the imagine the difficulties in organising a congress members do not pay a membership fee. To such as this without contacts by e-mail. become a member, it is sufficient to submit The information tools are a challenge for Africa. one’s name and address, and confirm from Information technology will certainly aid African time to time if one wishes to remain a member. scientists to overcome an often great isolation. Entry therefore is extremely easy. Conse- But I should not develop these ideas, I leave to quently, the secretariat must occupy itself with Prof. Sebsebe Demissew of Addis Abeba the care a large number of less active members by to disclose his own, it is he who is going to indi- sending them bulletins, which nowadays has cate the future of AETFAT for us as he sees it. become an expensive operation. To give you At any rate, I wish that AETFAT will be able to an idea, and not at all wanting to alarm my prosper as it has done up to the present. ❏ successor, the cost of sending out the first bulletin, before the congress in Meise, has become as high as about 90 000 Belgian francs. Jan Rammeloo National Botanical Garden of Belgium ➢ Because all the financial responsibility rests Domein van Bouchout with the Secretary General, that person should B-1860 Meise be assured of a large enough budget to enable BELGIUM thorough preparations for a congress. Tel.: (32) 2 269 39 05 ➢ The number of delegates grows constantly, and Fax: (32) 2 270 15 67 it will become more and more difficult to find E-mail: [email protected] a convenient venue for the organisation of a congress. Parts of the speech were originally presented in ➢ If the congress takes place in Europe, outside French. These sections were kindly translated by Africa, one of the tasks of the secretary-general Ms Mienkie Welman of the National Herbarium, is to find enough aid to ensure significant National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, South participation by Africans. Africa.

146 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Vision for AETFAT in the next millennium

by Sebsebe Demissew

Introduction tremely dry and hot deserts in the Sahara and Kalahari to hot and very humid rain forest on At the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we the slopes of Mount Cameroon and cool, high think of AETFAT (Association for the Taxonomic mountains in the Eastern Africa. Study of the Flora of Tropical Africa/Association • The vascular plant flora of Africa is some- pour l’Etude Taxonomique de la Flore d’Afrique where between 40 000 and 45 000 species Tropicale) primarily as an association of botanists (according to the World Conservation Monitor- working on the Flora of Africa, but also on the ing Centre 1992), approximately one fifth of taxonomy of African plants, the plant geography the world’s flora. Only tropical and subtropi- of Africa, the vegetation of Africa and the biology cal Asia (with ca 50 000 species) and Central and uses of African plants. and South America (with ca 85 000 species) But before going to talk more about these sub- have more. jects, it would be worthwhile to highlight some • Africa is a continent with a long history of facts, not only about AETFAT, but also about colonialism in the form of rule from another Africa. continent. There were Roman colonies in • Africa is the world’s second largest continent, North Africa. Dutch colonies were established with 30 million square kilometres of land mass in South Africa about 350 years ago and Portu- (North America, the third largest continent, guese colonies were established in tropical has an area of 24 million square kilometres of Africa not much later. The situation culmi- which very extensive areas are boreal or nated within the last hundred years, when the arctic). majority of Africa was under the control of only seven or eight European countries. Inde- • Africa has a moderately sized population for pendence came in the 1960s—a little bit later its size of ca 680 million inhabitants. The for some. population density ranges very widely, from less than one per square kilometre in desert Meeting Venue Month and Year and deep forest to over 500 per square kilome- 1st Brussels Oct. 1951 tre in the highly cultivated Nile Delta at Cairo. 2nd Oxford Sept./Oct. 1953 3rd Paris Sept. 1957 • Africa is a continent with very diverse cultures 4th Lisbon & Coimbra Sept. 1960 and languages. It is possible to distinguish ca 5th Genova-Firenze Sept. 1963 1 500 ethnic groups with ca 1 500 different 6th Uppsala Sept. 1966 7th Munich Sept. 1970 languages, which fall in six language families 8th Geneva Sept. 1974 with a total of 15–20 distinct branches. For 9th Las Palmas March 1978 example, in my country Ethiopia, with an area 10th Pretoria Jan. 1982 of 1 134 000 km2 (approximately the size of 11th St Louis June 1985 France, Spain and Portugal combined), which 12th Hamburg Sept. 1988 has a population of about 60 million people, 13th Zomba April 1991 14th Wageningen Aug. 1994 there are over 85 nationalities, each with its 15th Harare Feb. 1997 own distinct culture and language. 16th Brussels Aug./Sept. 2000 • Africa is a continent with diverse topography, 17th Addis Ababa Sept. 2003 climate and vegetation, ranging from ex- ▲Chronology of AETFAT Congresses, 1951 to 2000.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 147 This is a short summary description of Africa, the these floras. The importance of the Floras was plant world of which AETFAT has undertaken to recorded in the early proceedings where reports study. It is a formidable task, but AETFAT has on progress with Flora writing were often placed managed well, and we hope it will continue to do first (for example in the sequence of proceedings so. from the third to the eighth meetings of AETFAT (1957–1974). AETFAT—as we know from this 50-year jubilee being held in Brussels, Belgium—was established Another important subject was agreement on the in 1950, when most of Africa was still under concepts and terminology of African vegetation, colonial rule. It was also during this period when both in English and French. Broad descriptions of many of the European botanical institutions vegetation were a theme at a number of early started writing modern Floras of their colonies. meetings, including the first AETFAT meeting in For example: Brussels which, incidentally, was held in 1951, not • Flora of West Tropical Africa (FWTA) was first 1950, when the organisation was founded. published between 1927 and 1936, with the The species concept in Flora writing has also been second edition appearing between 1954 and the subject of a meeting, i.e. the 3rd AETFAT 1972. Meeting in Paris, 1957. • Flora du Congo Belge began appearing in 1948. However, AETFAT soon began to change and • The first part of Flora of Tropical East Africa adapt, almost like a species of plant or animal (FTEA) was published in 1952. living under changing environmental conditions. • Flora zambesiaca (FZ) was first published in We can clearly see this change if we look through 1960. the sequence of proceedings from the previous 15 • Flore du Cameroun and Flore du Gabon both AETFAT meetings held from 1951 to 1997. began in 1963. Practical subjects of use for Flora writing, such as AETFAT started as a working forum for Flora information on collectors and collections, were of writers and editors, and the problems the associa- great importance in the early volumes, for exam- tion addressed were at first those of the individu- ple, the proceedings from the fourth Plenary als or groups of European botanists working on Meeting held in Lisbon and Coimbra in 1960.

▲Participants at the first AETFAT meeting in Brussels, Belgium, held in 1951.

148 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 ▲ Participants at the XVIth AETFAT Meeting held in Meise, Belgium, August 2000.

Very soon AETFAT took an interest in floristic has also held symposia on algae, fungi, lichens plant geography, encouraged by the enthusiasm and mosses. Thus, AETFAT has become a broad of one of the founding fathers, Frank White, for forum for dialogue and scientific research on that subject. This gave rise to a number of papers African plants. in the proceedings of the Plenary Meetings, for It is interesting to note when the first tropical example, the second meeting in Oxford (1953) African botanist presented a paper at AETFAT. As and the fifth meeting in Genova-Firenze (1963). far as we can tell, the first names pertaining to We see the ideas of the conservation of African tropical African countries appear in the proceed- flora and vegetation appearing on the agenda ings from the fourth meeting in Lisbon and quite early. Conservation was, for example, the Coimbra, when Dr C.F.A. Onochie from West main theme at the sixth Plenary Meeting held in Africa talked about the identification of forest Uppsala, Sweden, in 1966. trees. Later, at the sixth meeting in Uppsala AETFAT also soon included the scientific studies (1966), L. Aké Assi and E. Adjanohoun from Côte of useful plants. Useful African plants were an d’Ivoire appeared. important theme at the ninth Plenary meeting in At the seventh meeting in Munich (1970) there Las Palmas in 1978 and again at the twelfth were more tropical African contributors, mainly meeting in Hamburg, 1988, and the thirteenth from West Africa, both the French- and English- Meeting in Zomba in Malawi in 1991. speaking parts. Probably the first East African Gradually, AETFAT has widened its scope to was A.B. Katende from Uganda, who gave a include more and more basic sciences within paper at the 8th meeting in Geneva in 1974. The botany. For example, plant anatomy, cytology, number of tropical African participants giving phytochemistry, ecology and plant geography. It papers has been growing drastically since. There

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 149 has been a fairly steady increase in African repre- Our vision for AETFAT in the next sentation and contributions in subsequent AETFAT meetings and obviously also in the millennium present sixteenth AETFAT meeting, where over 50 1. AETFAT, at the association level, should percent of the participants are African. strengthen informal collaboration between scien- So AETFAT became a forum for discussion and tists in Africa and Europe/America (or, in due collaboration between both the young and the time, scientists from other continents with an more established European/American botanists interest in African plants). We think we should from established herbaria and laboratories and maintain emphasis on individual scientists rather botanists from new African institutions. However, than on collaboration between the institutions. it is probably true to say that the discussion However, individual scientists should be encour- within AETFAT was nearly always on the per- aged to establish institutional bonds for specific sonal level, and institutional involvement only purposes. We also feel that the General Secretary secondary. The advantage of this has been that we of AETFAT should continue to work for the have avoided the collaboration from being too membership of AETFAT to remain free of charge. deeply ingrained with politics. It has been a That requires the goodwill of some donors, but principle not to exclude individuals even if the we will have to work for that. politics of their governments were not always 2. We think that AETFAT should encourage and generally approved. The price of this arrange- maintain the healthy combination of both applied ment has been that it has often been difficult to and basic sciences, for which it has been known raise funding for the various activities, unless the throughout its 50-year history. necessary personal links could be established. Connected with this fact—that AETFAT is a 3. We think that AETFAT should encourage new botanist-to-botanist organisation—is the unique collaborative projects like the Vegetation Map of feature that there has never been a membership Africa. Perhaps it is time for an updated version. fee for belonging to AETFAT, neither for Euro- We should also not forget that AETFAT initiated pean nor for African members. This has made life an annual index of new taxa and publications on much more difficult for the General Secretary, but African seed-bearing plants in 1953. This was much easier for everyone else! very cheap for AETFAT members—an idea which was taken up for the whole world in 1971 by the We must not forget to mention the collaborative Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (The Kew Record of projects, supported by small groups of enthusias- Taxonomic Literature) at a considerably higher tic AETFAT members with the moral support and price. We have had a checklist of tropical African occasional help from everyone else. Soon after its plants (Lebrun & Stork 1991–97). We also have an start, AETFAT became a forum for big and useful AETFAT library holding literature relevant to the projects on a continental scale other than the study of African plants. A great tradition to regional and national floras, for example: continue! • The AETFAT vegetation map of Africa (first 4. AETFAT should generally encourage use and version by R. Keay in 1959, the second version knowledge of modern methods (for example, by Frank White in 1983). DNA-studies) in the study of African plants. • The Distributiones plantarum africanarum. This Africa needs botanists who can understand the is a useful tool and we all hope it will continue new taxonomic methods. But it is also important to grow. It was initiated in December 1969, that the knowledge of the classical methods is partly following a proposal by Frank White at kept alive and is actively developed. Collabora- the Uppsala meeting in 1966. tion through AETFAT members can help us strike • Lebrun & Stork’s checklist of tropical African a good balance between alpha-taxonomy and the vascular plants (Lebrun & Stork 1991–1997). modern methods.

150 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 5. AETFAT should encourage the development of National Herbarium (Leiden, Utrecht & human capacity based on good personal relations Wageningen). More on-line service and better within the wider disciplines of botany in African links/internet-connections in Africa is very institutions through training, in order to realise important. Thirdly, by trying to promote more our vision for the future. databases for botanical information both in Europe, America and Africa. Support for such Many African countries gained their independ- activities could be sought from OECD, EU, ence in the 1960s, and many of the African her- UNESCO, and others. baria (or other botanical institutions) were established at that time. But in the last three decades, African herbaria should play an active role in this neither the old colonial masters nor the new process of repatriation, strengthening the rela- African national governments have been too keen tionship with major herbaria and carrying out to train Africans in botany. Earlier European/ collaborative research at the national, regional American botanical collectors tended to use local and international levels with those herbaria that African people to serve as guides or assistants in address their concerns. major botanical collecting trips rather than to 7. AETFAT should promote the development of a encourage the young ones to develop academic code of conduct in the North-South collaboration expertise. This has been the state of affairs in in botanical research and also try to encourage many African institutions. There are a number of positive use of the principles in the Convention excellent exceptions, which can act as very en- on Biological Diversity (CBD). Most research couraging examples, but still the problem is collaboration is said to be purely scientific, e.g. urgent. In this connection, I would like to remind taxonomic work or other basic botanical research. this distinguished audience that training young There are, however, researchers or funding or- taxonomists was on the decline for a number of ganisations with implicit motives, like the devel- years in the past, even in institutions of the opment of marketable products (e.g. pharmaceu- temperate regions. We all hope the focus on tical or agricultural). In such cases, agreement biodiversity and some of the new instruments, for should be made, based on the principles of ben- example, the Global Taxonomy Initiative, might efit-sharing and prior informed consent by the change the trend if we all participate positively. parties involved. We hope and believe that such reasoning is in the classical spirit of AETFAT. ❏ 6. AETFAT should encourage voluntary repatriation of information. For historical reasons, major herbaria in the temperate regions keep large Sebsebe Demissew collections from tropical Africa. These collections National Herbarium include type specimens. Most national herbaria in Science Faculty Africa lack reference material for a number of Addis Ababa University species occurring in their respective countries. PO Box 3434 Addis Ababa Thus it is most desirable that major herbaria ETHIOPIA repatriate information. This could be achieved in E-mail: [email protected] at least three ways. Primarily making joint collections by partner institutions in the North and South, based on a clear Memorandum of Under- standing, and making sure the material collected is properly named. This is a sure way of repatriation of information. Secondly, by making more information (for example type specimens, with good pictures of the specimens) available on the Internet, as is now being done in the Netherlands

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 151 SSC9 held in Meise, Belgium

The Ninth SABONET Steering Committee (SSC) Meeting, chaired by Dr Alan Rodgers, was held meeting was held at the National Botanic Garden on the same day, using the Annual Programme/ in Meise, Belgium, on 27 August 2000. The meet- Project Report as a basis for discussion. ing was held in Belgium to coincide with the 16th The following recommendations were made by AETFAT Congress held at the same venue from 28 the TPR meeting: August to 2 September 2000. All ten participating countries were represented at the meeting. Dr • To continue linking the log frame to the Alan Rodgers of UNDP/GEF, Arusha, Tanzania budget, reassessing the availability of funds in and Mr Thulani Mabaso of UNDP-South Africa 2000–2001, and prioritising the future use of also attended. available funds.

Issues discussed at the meeting included post- • To give priority to information technology graduate support for 2001, computerisation, issues, and for this aspect of the project to be publications, staff dedicated to SABONET activi- speeded up. ties in participating herbaria, training and the • To mobilise the botanical gardens aspect of the planned SABONET Mid-Term Review. This project. external review is scheduled to take place in the • To fast-track outputs from participating her- region during the first quarter of 2001, and will be baria in the region (such as national plant reported on in the April 2001 edition of checklists, computerisation of selected plant SABONET News. groups/taxa, plant distribution maps linked to SABONET’s Second TriPartite Review (TPR) other data sets using GIS). ❏

Extracts from NBI’s External Review September/October 2000

An External Review of South Africa’s National This is what the review group had to say about Botanical Institute (NBI) was conducted from 28 the SABONET Project: September to 3 October 2000. Botanists included in the review group included Prof. Peter Crane Summary of major conclusions (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK), Prof. Jameson The SABONET Project has been a key contribu- Seyani (Commonwealth Science Council, London, tion to building the capacity for managing, utilis- UK and Director, National Herbarium and Bo- ing and ensuring the conservation of plant diver- tanic Gardens, Zomba, Malawi), Ms Stella Simiyu sity in southern Africa. The National Botanical (Chair, East African Plant Specialist Group, IUCN Institute has taken a leadership role in this initia- Species Survival Commission and National tive and it is important that this crucial vehicle Museums of Kenya, Nairobi) and Mr Mark for communication, cooperation and coordination Richardson (Alice Springs Desert Park, Australia). is maintained beyond the life of the current

152 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 funding of this project. SABONET will continue Botanical Institute. This project has built on the to evolve but it is one of the National Botanical previous excellent work done by the National Institute’s most significant and enduring contri- Botanical Institute on threatened plants. The butions to the African Renaissance. approach and implementation has been well Response to the report of the 1995 External designed. In order to enhance the delivery of the Review Group outputs of this project, it is important from an The implementation of the SABONET Project has NBI perspective that active linkages are main- also been a key achievement in the period since tained between the Red Data Listing Project, the the last review. PRECIS database, the Conservation and Ecology Implementation of the 1996–2000 Corporate Programme and the Herbarium. These linkages Strategic Plan should in turn be consolidated to develop an “To contribute significantly to preventing the effective conservation policy for the NBI gardens extinction of southern Africa’s plant species, and and guidelines for integrated species conservation to maintain the diversity of species, ecosystems projects with relevant parties and stakeholders. and ecosystem processes.” The robust training experience, the development The SABONET Project has enhanced further the of modern research facilities and implementation National Botanical Institute’s contribution to this of innovative and adaptive research programmes, goal, becoming a model both regionally and make NBI a centre of excellence in Africa. NBI internationally. Further linkages between the therefore is strategically placed to meet some of Conservation and Ecology Subdirectorate of the Africa’s training and capacity building needs. NBI, the Red Data List and the ethnobotanical Avenues to enhance this need to be explored, database will improve the National Botanical especially post-SABONET. Institute’s contribution to meeting this goal. This The SABONET Project has achieved tremendous focus should continue. success in contributing to building botanical Relevance of programmes and activities in the research infrastructure and capacity in southern new South Africa Africa. The improved ability within the region is Forging of regional collaboration in southern an asset to the National Botanical Institute, which Africa to promote capacity building (i.e. is a regional centre of excellence. It will therefore SABONET), has improved human resources and be strategic to pursue options that keep the infrastructure development for SABONET coun- network going post-GEF funding. tries. SABONET has effectively publicised its activities Research and scientific services through its newsletters and reports. There is need The Red Data Listing programme implemented to maintain this communication in an acceptable through SABONET is a welcome initiative that and affordable format to maintain the profile of has resulted from the leadership of the National the project. ❏

“The challenge for conservation biology is to shift our focus—both in terms of the areas and problems that we work on, and the ways we interact with landowners and local communities—so we can successfully conserve indigenous biodiversity on the unpro- tected lands that dominate the world’s land surface.” Norton, D.A. in Conservation Biology 14(5): 1222. (2000)

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 153 An African Workshop on the Global Taxonomy Initiative by Gideon F. Smith

“The taxonomic community globally sees an urgent need for capacity-building and infrastructure renewal if taxonomy is to keep up with the demand for up-to-date information on species. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has recognized this taxonomic impediment and has formulated the concept of a Global Taxonomic Initiative (GTI) to promote a concerted effort between international funding agencies, national and sub-national governments, and non-government bodies. The COP and SBSTTA have been quite clear that the role of the GTI is to help implement the Convention.” Cresswell & Bridgewater (2000: 12) Cresswell, I.D. & Bridgewater, P. 2000. The Global Taxonomy Initiative—Quo vadis? Biology International 38: 12-16.

A three-day Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) • Formulate specific national, subregional or Workshop for Africa will be held under the regional projects aimed at meeting the most auspices of the Convention on Biological Diver- urgent taxonomic needs. sity from 27 February 2001 to 1 March 2001. The • Produce a Final Report that can act as a guide Workshop will be hosted jointly by the National to achieve these objectives. Botanical Institute of South Africa and the Na- tional Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi, Over the next few months invitations to attend and will take place at the Kirstenbosch National the Workshop will be sent to a broad spectrum of Botanical Garden, Claremont, Cape Town. A four- African systematic biologists (fauna, micro- day field trip, arranged by Gariep Travel, will organisms, flora, etc.) and other stakeholders. The follow directly after the Workshop. The Workshop Workshop will consist of plenary and break-away and field trip is being made possible with funds sessions, allowing ample opportunity for discus- from the Swedish International Development sion, airing of views and the compilation of a Cooperation Agency (SIDA). workshop document. The major objectives of the Workshop will be to: For further information you could contact either Prof. Gideon F. Smith, Director: Research of the • Enable African countries and collaborating National Botanical Institute of South Africa institutions to gain clarity on the principles, ([email protected]; fax no. (27) 12 804 5343) or role and mechanisms of the GTI. Dr Augustine C. Chikuni, Director: National • Establish a comprehensive strategy and Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi achievable workplan according to which ([email protected]; (265) 524 108 or 164). o funding for building capacity in taxonomic research in Africa can be obtained from the GTI.

• Urge governments to support the completion Gideon F. Smith of regional, subregional or national taxonomic Office of the Research Director, National Botanical needs assessments, and initiate the compila- Institute tion of new taxonomic needs assessments Private Bag X101 where these do not exist. Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

154 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 THE VTH INTERNATIONAL SOLANACEAE CONFERENCE

23–28 JULY 2000

by W.G. Welman

Background Delegates Many species of the economically significant This well-organised and informative conference family Solanaceae provide important sources of was attended by about 100 delegates from almost food, medicine, ornamental crops and drugs; 25 countries. Most delegates represented the several species have also served well in pioneer- Netherlands and the USA; Brazil, France, India ing biotechnology, genetic engineering and and Russia were also represented by several analysis, and in molecular research on plant delegates. I was the only representative from breeding and reproduction. This type of research South Africa. Other African countries with one or is beginning to unravel the genetic resources of more delegates were Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, both cultigens and wild relatives of many solana- Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Forty talks and 25 ceous crops. Molecular techniques for introducing posters were presented; abstracts of all of these specific genes into existing crops, with regard to were printed in the abstract book that delegates disease resistance, for instance, has lead to re- received with registration. An interesting feature newed interest in their wild relatives as well as of this congress was the separate category of other wild species. Local uses of Solanaceae, also “Abstracts only” which also appeared in the in Africa, encompass a very large range of species abstract book. This chapter consisted of 50 sum- and open up a whole new area of research chal- maries of work completed/in progress by re- lenges. searchers who could not attend the conference, Introduction mainly from Armenia, India, Russia and the Ukraine. Notable delegates to this conference The Executive Committee of the National Botani- were some of the famous names in the study of cal Institute was kind enough to enable me to the Solanaceae, scientists who had been involved attend the Vth International Solanaceae Confer- with these conferences since the first one in 1976, ence held at the Catholic University of Nijmegen namely Dr. Jack G. Hawkes (Birmingham Univer- in the Netherlands from 23–28 July 2000 and to sity, UK), Dr. Armando T. Hunziker (Cordoba, present a poster as part of my registered project: Argentina), Dr. Charles B. Heiser (Indiana Uni- “The genus Solanum (Solanaceae) in southern versity, USA) and Dr. Richard N. Lester (Birming- Africa”. The conference organising committee ham University, UK). consisted of Dr. G. Barendse, Ms T. Mariani and Dr. G. van der Weerden, all from the Botanical Subjects Garden, University of Nijmegen and Dr. R. van Looking at the total number and range of topics den Berg of the Department of Plant Taxonomy, of the oral presentations, posters and abstracts, it Wageningen University. The previous Interna- becomes clear that the most popular subjects at tional Solanaceae Conferences were in 1976 this congress were the economically important (Birmingham, UK), 1982 (St. Louis, Missouri, species of the Solanaceae. These were Capsicum USA), 1988 (Bogotá, Colombia), and 1994 (Ad- (chillies, paprika and sweet peppers), Lycopersicon elaide, Australia). The next conference, to be (tomatoes and related species), Nicotiana(tobacco organised by Dr. D. Spooner, will probably be and related species), Solanum melongena (auber- held in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, in July 2005. gine, brinjals or egg-plant), and S. tuberosum The Proceedings of each conference were subse- (potato). Other species of Solanum with potential quently published as books. economic importance that were discussed, are the

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 155 New World S. quitoense (naranjilla) and tions of Solanum. The African non-spiny taxa S. muricatum (pepino), the almost cosmopolitan represented by S. guineense L. (=S. aggregatum S. nigrum complex (black nightshades) and the Jacq.), so far the only representative of subgenus tropical African S. aethiopicum including S. gilo Lyciosolanum Bitter, should be joined by two (garden-egg or scarlet egg-plant) and species of subgenus Solanum L. namely S. macrocarpon (Gboma egg-plant). The natural or S. africanum Mill. (=S. quadrangulare Thunb. ex wild species discussed, were mostly from the L.f.) from section Quadrangulare Bitter and New World and/or related to the above economi- S. terminale Forssk. from section Afrosolanum cally important species. It became obvious that, Bitter. She also regards the tomato, Lycopersicon because S. melongena originated from Old World esculentum, on DNA grounds, as a species of ancestors, several natural species in the subgenus Solanum, a view not shared by all Solanaceae Leptostemonum, especially sections Oliganthes and workers. Melongena, from southern and tropical Africa can K.O. Bonsu and colleagues (Crops Research be crossed with it to improve resistance to various Institute, Kumasi, Ghana), discussed kinds of diseases, parasites and also climatic S. macrocarpon in “Gboma egg-plant, a potential factors. new export crop for Ghana”. This species, indig- D’Arcy commemorative lecture enous to West Africa, shows considerable varia- The first plenary talk was the W.G. D’Arcy com- tion in plant height (± 25–75 cm), stem colours memorative lecture presented by Dr. Mike Nee (purple and green), days from sowing to first (New York Botanical Garden), entitled “Where do flower (56–84 days), fruit shape (heart-shaped, we go from here in Solanaceae taxonomy?” The through round to flattened), fruit size and weight late Dr. William (Bill) D’Arcy published exten- (up to 80 mm, 133–500 grams), fruit colour in sively on the systematics of the family; he was unripe fruits (white to dark green, sometimes particularly knowledgeable about the Solanaceae shaded purple), fruit colour in ripe fruits (mostly of the New World. He organised the second yellow, also brown). Both the leaves and the fruit Solanaceae conference held in 1982 at the Mis- are eaten; some plants are more “fruity” and souri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, where he was others more “leafy”. employed during his entire professional career. Marie-Christine Daunay (INRA, Montfavet, Dr. Nee emphasised that some groups, notably France) and co-workers delivered “Genetic re- the economically important taxa, have been and sources of egg-plant (Solanum melongena L.) and continue to be thoroughly investigated with allied species: a new challenge for molecular traditional and modern methods, while other geneticists and egg-plant breeders”. S. melongena groups, such as the large New World genus [section Melongena Dunal of subgenus Cestrum, are still without any sort of modern Leptostemonum (Dunal) Bitter] was domesticated systematic treatment. Solanum, comprising about in the Indo-Chinese region in ancient times and is half the species of the family, desperately needs a now the seventh most important vegetable in the world-wide infrageneric classification, while most world; it is very popular in Mediterranean and of the sections and subgenera require additional Eastern countries. Egg-plant is not resistant to studies of various kinds. many pests and diseases, but its resistance can be Interesting topics improved through genetic engineering with genes A number of talks delivered, posters presented from other Solanaceae. African species such as and abstracts submitted, were significant from an S. richardii, S. linnaeanum, S. tomentosum, S. African or southern African perspective: catombelense, S. burchellii and S. supinum have already been crossed with S. melongena. Dr. Lyn Bohs (University of Utah, USA) in a talk entitled “Major clades in Solanum: molecular data K.J. Dehmer (IPK, Gatersleben, Germany) spoke and morphological synapomorphies”, proposed on “Conclusions on the taxonomy of the Solanum some major changes to the subgenera and sec- nigrum complex by molecular analyses of IPK

156 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 germplasm accessions”. The various species of experiments showed that S. incanum is a single black nightshades are cosmopolitan in their species complex and that the north tropical distribution, very variable in morphology and, African S. cerasiferum is very closely related. Dehmer says, is believed to have no clearly M.A. Onyango, J.K. Imungi and J.K. Chweya defined interspecific boundaries. He was, how- (Nairobi University, Kenya) submitted an abstract ever, able to differentiate species on a molecular “Evaluation of vegetable quality of four variants level. It was also found that S. nigrum sens. lat. is of black nightshade, Solanum nigrum”. Black a potential source of resistance in potato breeding nightshade is a popular vegetable in tropical for potato or tobacco mosaic virus. Africa. Three groups of variants of the S. nigrum T. Doroszewska (Pulawy, Poland) spoke on the complex are eaten as vegetables in Kenya, namely “Germplasm collection of the genus Nicotiana in S. eldorettii, S. nigrum sens.str. and Poland”, and found, inter alia, that N. africana, the S. pseudonigrum. The crude protein, b-carotene, Namibian endemic belonging to Nicotiana section total ash, iron, calcium and fibre contents of the Suaveolentes, is resistant to potato virus Y. edible parts of the above taxa were evaluated. The results showed some significant differences I.M. El Tahir (Agricultural Research Corporation, between the groups of variants. Wad Medani, Sudan) delivered “Variability in Luping Qin and Hanchen Zheng (Second Military morpho-agronomic traits of local hot pepper Medical University, Shanghai, China) delivered a germplasm in the Sudan”. Hot pepper is an paper, “The medicinal plants of Solanaceae used important spice crop in the Sudan, and although in traditional Chinese medicine.” More than 60 introduced, considerable variation can be ob- species of Solanaceae are used in traditional served in the local traditional cultivars of Capsi- medicine in China. The following New World cum chinense and C. frutescens. taxa introduced to both Africa and China, are M.V. Rajam and colleagues (University of Delhi, listed as medicinal plants: Datura innoxia, D. New Delhi, India) spoke on “Development of metel, D. stramonium, Nicandra physaloides, Physalis RAPD markers for resistance to Verticillium dahliae angulata, P. minima, Solanum mammosum, S. in egg-plant, Solanum melongena L.” The egg- pseudocapsicum, S. torvum. In addition, S. nigrum, plant’s nutritional value equals that of the tomato probably indigenous to both areas, is also used and it is an important vegetable crop of the medicinally. temperate and tropical parts of the world. Among R.W. Robinson, Yanxin Gao and colleagues the many pests and pathogens which attack it, (Cornell University, New York, USA) delivered a V. dahliae is one of the serious pathogens causing paper “Interspecific hybridisation of egg-plant for root wilt. The tropical African S. aethiopicum (both Verticillium wilt resistance and other useful Gilo and Aculeatum groups) and the New World S. traits.” It was found that some accessions of sisymbriifolium and S. torvum (both introduced to Solanum incanum, depending on geographical Africa) are resistant to Verticillium wilt, and are origin, produced fertile interspecific hybrids with used to develop resistant cultivars through S. melongena that were resistant to Verticillium somatic hybridisation. wilt. Closely related wild species of Solanum have R. Bukenya-Ziraba (Makerere University, Kam- other attributes that are useful for egg-plant pala, Uganda) spoke about “Variation within breeding, such as resistance to the Colorado Solanum incanum L. complex in Uganda and its potato beetle and flea beetles. S. sisymbriifolium is relationship with S. cerasiferum Dunal”. Tremen- resistant to Verticillium and has a remarkable dous morphological variation was observed in degree of cold tolerance–it produces berries in the the S. incanum complex. This species has medici- North American winter. nal and traditional uses in East Africa. This A. Child and R.N. Lester from the UK presented a variation could be used by plant breeders to poster “Conspectus Solani: a survey of the genus improve the related S. melongena L. Crossing Solanum L. (Solanaceae) and its infrageneric taxa”.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 157 An attempt is made to only, with two or provide a comprehen- more lateral rays of sive classification of about the same the more than 1000 length. Cuticle species of the genus, ornamentation in based on the conven- Acanthophora is tional wisdom of verrucose in wing- classical systematics, seeded species and but awaiting the full with interrupted illumination of DNA helicoidal striae in phylogeny. This species with non- classification includes winged seeds. Cyphomandra, A. Alighanadi, N. Lycopersicon and Tavakoli and O. Normania in Solanum Sadeghpour and treats all species (Isfahan University in 89 taxa at sectional of Medical Sciences, level, providing keys Iran) submitted an to these, and discuss- abstract “Quantita- ing their morphologi- tive analysis of cal and solasodine in phytogeographical Solanum nigrum L. attributes. grown in Iran”. S. A poster “Flora of nigrum is widely Tropical East Africa– distributed in Iran ▲ The declared weed, Solanum mauritianum Scop. (bug tree), Solanaceae” by J.M. introduced from South America. (With permission from the and different parts Edmonds (Royal National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. Artist: Cythna Letty.) of the plant have Botanic Gardens, Kew been used in Iranian and University of Leeds, UK) was shown in her folk medicine for absence. Ms Edmonds will prepare the taxonomic various disorders. A quantitative analysis of the treatment of the Solanaceae for the Flora of Tropi- solasodine content of aerial parts (stems) of the cal East Africa. This is important news for south- plant gave results that ranged from 7.66–26.90% ern Africa, as several species are indigenous to (microgram per millilitre). both areas. In Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania the M. Diouf (Dakar, Senegal) submitted an abstract family is represented by 17 genera and 100 spe- “Étude des mécanismes de tolérance du Jaxatu cies, many of them introduced. Solanum with over (Solanum aethiopicum) aux acariens 70 species, exhibits its usual taxonomic complex- (Tarsonemideae et Tetranychideae) et tentatives ity and diversity. de transfert des caractères à des variétés L.A. Mentz and P.L. de Oliveira (Porto Alegre, sensibles”. In Senegal, Jaxatu (S. aethiopicum L. Brazil) submitted an abstract “Trichome types in Kumba group) has become an important fruit and Solanum section Acanthophora and related spe- leaf vegetable. Unfortunately cultivation of Jaxatu cies”. Trichomes from leaves of species of this can be difficult because of various pests and section such as S. aculeatissimum, S. capsicoides and parasites of which mites are the most important. S. viarum, also introductions to southern Africa, Some genotypes of Jaxatu are more tolerant to were analysed by scanning electron microscopy. mites and these lines are used to improve the crop Species of Acanthophora (except S. capsicoides) in hybridisation experiments. Hairs on stems and have stellate trichomes at the abaxial leaf surface leaves provide an efficient barrier against the

158 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 larger species of mites. Hybridisation with gla- indumentum of simple to stellate hairs and leaves brous tolerant genotypes of S. macrocarpon has that are entire to deeply lobed, mostly shorter also been attempted. than 100 mm. The solitary to few flowers are hermaphrodite with stellate corollas and lanceo- D.O. Ojo (National Horticultural Research Insti- late anthers with small terminal pores. The juicy tute, Ibadan, Nigeria) submitted an abstract fruits are red to orange with a thin pericarp and “Clipping height and harvesting frequency on the pale brown seeds. The poster showed colour production of Solanum macrocarpon in the humid photographs of dried herbarium specimens, tropics of sub-Saharan Africa”. Field experiments mostly fruiting, illustrating the morphology of were carried out to determine the best clipping these species and varieties. The distribution maps height and harvesting frequency for concurrent were based on herbarium records in the National vegetable (leaf and stem) and seed yields of Herbarium (PRE); they showed that most taxa S. macrocarpon. It is concluded that concurrent occur in clearly defined areas. A preliminary key vegetable and seed production optimises resource to the 17 taxa, which was distributed to interested use efficiency better and gives more economic persons at the conference, gave more detailed returns than growing S. macrocarpon only either information on their morphology and distribu- for vegetable or seed. Seed production gives tion. better economic returns than vegetable production. This result indicates that clipping manage- University of Nijmegen Botanical Garden ment might increase productivity of other similar The conservation of the genetic resources of the vegetables and has potential for mechanisation of Solanaceae is of the utmost importance. This the vegetable harvest. Botanical Garden has brought together an impres- D.O. Ojo (National Horticultural Research Insti- sive living collection of Solanaceae from all over tute, Ibadan, Nigeria) submitted an abstract the world. Most of these are housed in six glass “Influence of harvesting frequency on garden-egg houses; a few are grown out in the open. The (Solanum gilo) yield and vegetable value”. Despite collection of more than 1000 accessions, many of the importance of the garden-egg in traditional wild origin, comprises 478 species and 45 gen- farming systems, its dietary qualities, its signifi- era—about 50% of the total number of genera and cance in diversifying and improving the food about 20% of the total number of species in the basket among urban and peri-urban gardeners family. Tuber-bearing members of the genus and also Fadama growers, especially in the dry Solanum are excluded from the collection; they are season. Very little is known about improving the dealt with by Plant Research International in productivity of this crop by harvesting tech- Wageningen, also the Agricultural University of niques. Field experiments were carried out to Wageningen, not far from Nijmegen. determine the best harvesting frequency for The following 21 species of Solanum that occur in garden-egg production. southern Africa were noted (introduced species W.G. Welman (National Herbarium, National are indicated with *): aculeastrum, aculeatissimum*, Botanical Institute, Pretoria) presented a poster capsicoides*, giganteum, hispidum*, jasminoides*, “Solanum (Solanaceae) in southern Africa: pre- kwebense, linnaeanum, mammosum*, mauritianum*, view of section Oliganthes”. This poster summa- panduriforme, pseudocapsicum*, giftbergense, rised the present state of knowledge of Solanum rostratum*, rubetorum, seaforthianum*, subgenus Leptostemonum section Oliganthes in sisymbriifolium*, terminale, torvum*, viarum*. southern Africa. All 15 species including four Species of Solanum from tropical Africa are also varieties are indigenous; 11 of these taxa are grown, notably S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon. endemic. Taxa of this section occur in all areas The collection is maintained with emphasis on and climatic regions of southern Africa. These taxonomic verification and propagation for seed plants are usually small, more or less spiny production of a wide range of genera and species. shrubs (not drought-deciduous) with an Seeds are stored in a seed bank to keep a perma-

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 159 nent gene resource of the Solanaceae. Data on among the most advanced in Europe and include each accession as well as general information on greenhouses, growth chambers, a modern gene the family are kept in a computer based reference bank, up-to-date laboratories and effective data system. Herbarium specimens, seed samples of management and communication systems. Del- each accession and a collection of more than 3 000 egates were taken on a guided tour of their slides are kept for taxonomic reference. research work on Solanaceae, particularly Sola- num tuberosum, Lycopersicon esculentum and The Department of Experimental Botany of Capsicum. Nijmegen University, associated with the Botani- cal Garden, carries out molecular research on Art exhibition reproduction in the Solanaceae, such as: gene A Solanaceae art exhibition was held in the foyer regulation in pollen development in Nicotiana of the building where the conference was pre- tabacum and Solanum tuberosum; the role of gib- sented. The British botanical painter, Doreen berellin-regulated genes in premeiotic anther and Hamilton, showed some 30 paintings of pollen development in Lycopersicon esculentum; Solanaceae; these were for sale at NLG520– actin-binding proteins in pollen-pistil interaction NLG1360 unframed, frames were NLG40 extra. and characterisation of pistil-specific proline-rich (NLG1= ± R3,30). The subjects were mostly New proteins in N. tabacum, Datura and Petunia. World members of the family. The following The Solanaceae collection of this Botanical Garden species, which also occur in southern Africa as will soon be enlarged vastly with the addition of cultivated plants or weeds, were included: Datura most of the germplasm collection of the Univer- stramonium, Nierembergia cv., Physalis peruviana, sity of Birmingham, UK. Many African species are Solanum jasminoides, S. pseudocapsicum, S. represented in this collection, such as S. anguivi, rostratum and S. sisymbriifolium. In November S. capense, S. tomentosum and various species of 1999 Ms Hamilton was awarded a silver medal at ❏ the S. nigrum complex. the exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Plant Research International W.G. (Mienkie) Welman During the conference, delegates had the chance National Herbarium to pay a visit to Plant Research International in National Botanical Institute Wageningen. This institute does market-orien- Private Bag X101 tated research for its clients on various crop 0001 Pretoria plants. Their fields of expertise are plant genetics, SOUTH AFRICA plant reproduction, crop physiology, agrosystems, Tel.: (27) 12 8043200 soil fertility and the optimisation of plant health Fax: (27) 12 8043211 and plant product quality. Their facilities are E-mail: [email protected]

160 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 IUBS IUBS—advancing biology in the 21st Century by Yashica Singh

Since 1919, IUBS has been facilitating the ad- the Union’s programmes and activities. It is vancement of biology, and yet today, it is still a intended that the organisations link IUBS with somewhat distant acronym to many biologists— individual researchers and educators in the IUBS stands for the International Union of Bio- various biological disciplines. Institutions and logical Sciences. Last month, I had the invaluable individual researchers are connected to IUBS opportunity of attending the 27th General Assem- through their membership to an international bly of IUBS as a young scientist and was funded scientific committee, association or society. by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The The primary mandate of IUBS is to coordinate Assembly was held in Naples, Italy, from 8–12 international programmes that promote the study November and was linked to a symposium on of biological sciences. Through its programmes, Biological Sciences: Challenges for the XXI Century. IUBS initiates and facilitates research activities In this article, I provide some background to IUBS that promote information sharing and capacity and its scientific programmes. building, and in so doing supports international IUBS is one of 25 international scientific unions conferences and publications that result from affiliated to the International Council of Science cooperative research. The Union’s Secretariat is Unions (ICSU). It is an NGO and serves as an headed by an Executive Director and is responsi- umbrella body for a number of scientific organisa- ble for the coordination of its programmes and tions. National academies or national research activities. The present secretariat resides in Paris. councils, for example, the National Research Foundation in South Africa, can sign up as Ordi- IUBS is governed by an Executive Committee nary Members of IUBS. International scientific which is elected by the General Assembly for a committees, associations and societies, for exam- three-year period. The Executive Committee is ple, the International Organisation for Succulent composed of six officers (President, Past-Presi- Plants (IOS), make up the Scientific Members of dent, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary General and IUBS. These organisations have direct access to Treasurer) and fourteen members representing

▲ Members of the Executive Committee of IUBS for the period 2000–2003 at a meeting during the 27th General Assembly in Naples in November 2000. (Photo: Yashica Singh)

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 161 IUBS projects of direct relevance to herbarium scientists are Systematics Agenda 2K-I and the Global Taxonomic Initiative (GTI). These are initiatives within the DIVERSITAS Programme. The scientific and technical aspects for implementing the GTI are being addressed at various workshops. In the previous issue of SABONET News, the article Feedback from the Conference of Parties 5 outlines the decisions taken regarding the GTI at the CoP meeting.

The recent IUBS publication Implementing the GTI: recommendations from DIVERSITAS core programme element 3, including the assessment of present knowledge of key species covers the state of our knowl- different countries and diverse biological disci- edge of species diversity. It gives the global and plines. IUBS holds a General Assembly every continental numbers of known species for the three years and this serves to develop, maintain major groups of organisms. In comparing species and strengthen liaison between the Union and its numbers, it identifies regional and taxonomic Ordinary and Scientific members. The Union also gaps and suggests criteria for filling the gaps by communicates with members through the IUBS way of the GTI. Various IUBS activities to create news magazine, Biology International. awareness and to kindle participation in the GTI Current IUBS programmes include are being planned for the next triennium and we can look forward to one such activity in South • Towards an Integrative Biology (TAIB) Africa in 2001. • DIVERSITAS Maintaining biotic diversity poses a constant • Reproductive Biology and Aquaculture (RBA) challenge to scientists. It calls for foresight and • Bionomenclature and Taxonomy spontaneity in research design and approach and demands novel ideas. IUBS is a dynamic organi- • Biological Education and Bioethics sation offering countries a forum to develop innovative research programmes that involve international cooperation. Through national and continental participation in IUBS activities we as botanists are able to influence the shaping of research in biology in the 21st Century.

For details on IUBS and its scientific programmes, visit the web site http://www.iubs.org. ❏

Yashica Singh National Botanical Institute Natal Herbarium ▲ Motonori Hoshi (Vice-president of IUBS), Himansu Botanic Gardens Road Baijnath (Chairman of the South African National Durban Committee of IUBS and member of the IUBS Executive 4001 Committee) and Talal Younès (Executive Director of IUBS), inspired by the week’s deliberations at the General Assembly SOUTH AFRICA in Naples. (Photo: Yashica Singh) E-mail: [email protected]

162 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Red Data List em Moçambique— um Caminho para a Conservação

Por: Samira Izidine, Angelina Martins e Filomena Barbosa

Representatives from various government, academic and NGO institutions joined the workshop participants for an informal discussion on the value of Red Data Lists. (Photo: J.S. Golding)

(A summary in English follows the Portuguese.) listadas nas seguintes publicações: “1997 IUCN Red Data List of Threatened Plants”, 1998 e no Moçambique possui uma área total de 784 755 “The World Threatened Trees”, 1998. Contudo as 2 2 km dos quais apenas 2 676 km são reservas mesmas foram categorizadas com base nos anti- florestais. Tendo cerca de 5 500 espécies de plan- gos critérios e categorias da UICN nas duas tas superiores, acredita-se que algumas dessas primeiras publicações. “The World Threatened espécies estejam sobre pressão por várias razões. Trees”, 1998 listou 78 espécies, das quais 50% A guerra civil que assolou o País, provocou um tidas como nativas de Moçambique possuem grande exôdo rural, facilitando uma exploração dados insuficientes que não permitem a sua desenfreada dos recursos vegetais principalmente inclusão nas diferentes categorias. na periferia das cidades. Com estabelicimento da O Complexo da Barragem dos Pequenos paz, Moçambique tem sido um polo de atracção Libombos localizado no distrito de Boane a 30 km de projectos de desenvolvimento que têm provo- da cidade de Maputo acolheu de 23 a 27 de cado o desmatamento de grandes áreas o que leva Outubro de 2000 o workshop sobre plantas a perda de espécies vegetais. ameaçadas ou potencialmente ameaçadas de Outras causas de perda de espécies, são as Moçambique, ou seja “Workshop sobre Red Data prácticas tradicionais de agricultura, os assenta- List em Moçambique”. mentos, etc. Pensa-se que as recentes cheias O objectivo do workshop foi de inventariar, re- ocorridas no País, possam ter resultado na perda avaliar e categorizar com base nas categorias da natural de algumas espécies de plantas. Algumas UICN (1994) as espécies ameaçadas ou potencial- espécies ameaçadas de Moçambique foram mente ameaçadas de extinção em Moçambique.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 163 Uma listagem preliminar das referidas espécies espécies pertencentes a 4 famílias de foi elaborada pelo Grupo Nacional de Trabalho Gymnospérmicas e 1 espécie de uma família de para o “Red Data List” tendo sido usada como Pteridófitas. documento base durante o workshop. Foram adiccionados a lista preliminar mais dados O Grupo Nacional de Trabalho foi criado a 19 de com base em informação da Flora Zambeziaca, Junho de 2000, e é constituido pelas seguintes Flora de Moçambique, “The World List of instituições: Threatened Trees”, 1998 e de alguns artigos • Departamento de Botânica (INIA)— científicos e mapas de vegetação. De realçar que Coordenação para complementar a informação sobre distribui- • Departamento de Ciências Biológicas (UEM) ção foram consultados espécimens do herbário • Unidade de Inventário Florestal (DNFFB) LMA. • Centro de Experimentação Florestal (DNFFB) Durante o workshop foram inventariadas e re- • Direcção Nacional de Florestas e Fauna Bravia avaliadas cerca de 346 espécies das quais 144 (DNFFB) (42%) endémicas de Moçambique. • União Mundial para Conservação da Natureza (UICN) A categorização foi feita tendo em conta o se- • Ministério para Coordenação da Acção guinte: Ambiental (MICOA) • Grupo de Estudos de Medicina Tradicional (a) Planta endémica no País (INS) (b) Distribuição restricta a pequenas áreas • Impacto, Projectos e Estudos Ambientais (c) Usos (Madeireira, Medicinal, Ornamental, etc.) As instituições participantes do Grupo Nacional (d) Pressão sobre a espécie de Trabalho realizaram as seguintes actividades: • Realização da primeira reunião do Grupo Nacio- Algumas espécies com antigas categorizações nal de Trabalho foram re-avaliadas e categorizadas atravês dos • Elaboração do plano de trabalho novos critérios e categorias da UICN, por exem- • Sintetização de toda a informação sobre plantas plo: ameaçadas ou potencialmente ameaçadas de • Ozoroa reticulata (Bak.f) R. & A. Fernandes var. extinção (raras, endémicas e sobre exploradas). mossambicensis R. & A. Fernandes • Produção de uma lista preliminar de plantas (Anacardiaceae), endémica de R para LRnt ameaçadas de extinção, priorizando as espécies endémicas, medicinais e madeireiras com base • Xylopia torrei N.Robson (Annonaceae), nas seguintes listas: Bandeira et all (1994, 1996),Van endémica de R para Lrnt Wyk (1994) e Hatton & Munguambe (1998). • Elaeodendron fruticosum N.Robson O workshop contou com os seguintes participan- (Celastraceae), endémica de Vu para tes: Dra Janice Golding (SABONET, NBI), Dr VUB1B2Cd2 Peter Philipson (Universidade de Rhodes), dra • Sarcocomia mossambicensis Brenan Samira Izidine (INIA, SABONET-Moçambique), (Chenopodiaceae), endémica de E para EN Dr Salomão Bandeira (UEM) dra Filomena Barbo- B1B2c sa (UEM), dra Ana Bela Amude (UEM, SABONET-Moçambique), dra Angelina Martins • Crassula maputensis R. Fernandes (UEM), Engª Carla Ruas (DNFFB), Engª Marta (Crassulaceae), endémica de Vu para ENB1B2c Monjane (UIF), dr Silva Mulhovo (GEMT/INS), • Icuria dunensis (Fabaceae), endémica como dra Köeti Seródio (UICN-Moçambique), Dr Paul ENA2c Dutton (Consultor independente). • Centella obtriangularis Cannon (Apiaceae), A lista preliminar produzida contem 238 espécies endémica de Chimanimani como VUD2 pertencentes a 63 famílias de Angiospérmicas, 5 • Cycas thoursii, como

164 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 • Encephalartos aplanatus como ENA1acdB2abcde (f) A divulgação dos novos critérios e categorias • E. chimanimaniensis como ENC2a da UICN a todos os níveis (Nacional, Provin- • E. ferox como LRnt cial e Local) • E. gratus, endémica, como LRnt (g) A consciencialização do público em geral • E. lebomboensis como CRA1acdB1B2abcde para conservação das plantas em risco (Pro- • E. manikensis como LRnt gramas de TV, Rádio, Publicação de cartazes • E. munchii, endémica, como ExW? em dias comemorativos nas escolas, locais de • E. ngoyanus como CRB1B2abcde trabalho, etc.) • E. pterogonus, endémica, como VUD2 • E. senticosus como CRB1B2ae Contudo todas as acções estão dependentes de • E. turneri, endémica, como LRlc futuros financiamentos que poderão facilitar a • E. umbeluziensis como CRA1acd/ realização das actividades a nível do programa A2cB1B2abcde Red Data List. • Stangeria eriopus como VUC2bD1D2 Assim foi recomendação do workshop a continua- No dia 25 de Outubro de 2000 realizou-se um ção do trabalho de consulta para melhorar e encontro mais abrangente com técnicos ligados a actualizar a lista existente para a produção do área de conservação e outros parceiros para a Red Data List para Moçambique. Afinal o Red apresentação dos resultados e discussão sobre as Data List é um caminho para a conservação. acções futuras a preconizar. A abertura da sessão foi feita pelo Dr Antonio Referências bibliográficas Muacorica, Director Geral Adjunto do Instituto Hatton, J. & F. Munguambe 1998. The biological Nacional de Investigação Agronómica (INIA), que diversity of Mozambique. MICOA 27 pp. durante a sua alocução referiu-se a importância dos recursos naturais em particular das plantas e Oldfield, S., Lusty, C. & MacKinven, A. (1998) da necessidade da sua conservação. The World List of Threatened Tree.World Conserva- tion Press, Cambridge, UK . 650 pp. Como conclusão do workshop verificou-se que muito a ainda a fazer a nível do Red Data List em Walter, S.K. & Gillett, H.J. (eds) 1998. 1997 IUCN Moçambique como seja: Inventários das espécies Red List of Threatened Plants. Compiled by the em campo, procura de mais informação sobre as World Conservation Monitoring Centre. IUCN - espécies (Herbário, monografias, consultas a The World Conservation Union, Gland (Switzer- locais etc.) land) and Cambridge (United Kingdom). lxiv + 862 pp. ❏ O Grupo Nacional de Trabalho propõem as seguintes acções futuras a preconizar: (a) A elaboração de um plano nacional para inventariação e recolha de dados quantitati- Samira Izidine vos das espécies em risco. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] (b) Promover uma maior colaboração entre as instituições envolvidas na conservação ambiental Angelina Martins (c) A criação de uma base de dados sobre o E-mail: [email protected] estado de conservação das espécies (d) A criação de grupos multidisciplinares para áreas consideradas estratégicas Filomena Barbosa (e) Promover a propagação de espécies in-situ e E-mail: [email protected] ex-situ SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 165 Red Data List in Mozambique: a Way to Conservation

by Samira Izidine, Angelina Martins & Filomena Barbosa

Mozambique covers a total area of 784 755 km2, of was undertaken by SABONET in collaboration with P.J. which an area of a mere 2 676 km2 is under conserva- Hurter (Lowveld National Botanical Garden, tion. Considering that Mozambique contains ca 5 500 Nelspruit, South Africa) and a number of others. species of vascular plants, it is likely that some of these Assessments of Mozambique’s 14 cycads were pre- are under threat for several reasons. These include pared and are available from the authors, on request. recent flooding, over-exploitation and changing land Further research needs regarding the Plant Red Data use, as a result of development and traditional agricul- List for Mozambique were identified at the national tural practices. workshop. The list emanating from the workshop was The World List of Threatened Trees listed 78 tree species. discussed with a broader stakeholder group in Maputo From 23 to 27 October 2000 a Plant Red Data Listing on 25 October 2000. Workshop was held in the Boane District, Mozam- The National Working Group has proposed the bique. The objective of the workshop was to compile following actions: an inventory, re-assess and categorise the threatened or potentially threatened species of Mozambique in terms • Develop a national plan for collecting quantitative of the new IUCN Red Data categories. data on species at risk. • Promote greater collaboration between institutions A National Working Group, established on 19 June involved in environmental conservation. 2000, consists of the following institutions: • Create a database about the conservation status of • Botany Department (INIA)(Coordinator) the species. • Department of Biological Sciences (UEM) • Establish multidisciplinary groups for strategically • Several sectors of the National Directorate of important areas. Forestry and Wildlife (DNFFB) • Promote the propagation of species, both ex situ and • IUCN-Mozambique in situ. • Ministry for the Coordination of Environment • Publicise the new IUCN criteria and categories at Affairs (MICOA) all levels (national, provincial and local). • Study Group of Traditional Medicine (INS) • Raise public awareness of threatened plants. This group developed the preliminary baseline species Implementation of these activities is largely dependent list for the workshop. The preliminary list produced on the availability of future funding. for the workshop contained 238 species belonging to 63 One of the final recommendations of the workshop angiosperm families, five species belonging to four was to strive towards improving and finalising the families of gymnosperms and one pteridophyte taxon. existing list, in order to produce the Plant Red Data During the workshop, additional information was List for Mozambique. After all, the Plant Red Data List added to the preliminary list of taxa from Flora is a means towards the conservation of Mozambique’s zambesiaca, Flora de Moçambique, Flora of Tropical East threatened flora. Africa and other publications, maps and data from Bibliography specimens within the INIA Herbarium (LMA). Hatton, J. & F. Munguambe 1998. The biological diver- At the workshop, 346 species were assessed. Of these, sity of Mozambique. MICOA 27 pp. 144 (42%) are near-endemic (occurring in one or two Oldfield, S., Lusty, C. & MacKinven, A. (1998) The countries and having a narrow distribution range) or World List of Threatened Tree.World Conservation Press, strict endemics to Mozambique. Other species included Cambridge, UK . 650 pp. medicinal plants, over-utilised plants and several tree species used for commercial timber. Recategorisation Walter, S.K. & Gillett, H.J. (eds) 1998. 1997 IUCN Red according to the IUCN categories and criteria (1994) List of Threatened Plants. Compiled by the World has resulted in the change of the status of some of the Conservation Monitoring Centre. IUCN - The World plant taxa. Conservation Union, Gland (Switzerland) and Cam- bridge (United Kingdom). lxiv + 862 pp. ❏ The cycads of Mozambique are part of a larger body of work covering the southern African region. The study Translated from the Portuguese by Carla Willis.

166 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Spotlight on Swaziland: Red Data List by Titus Dlamini and Linda Dobson

A subset of the participants at the Swaziland Red Data List Workshop. Starting at the back, from left to right: B. Dlamini, J. Culverwell, R. Boycott, T. Dlamini, L. Dobson, P. Masson, N. Dlamini, K. Roques. (Photo: J.S. Golding)

The Swaziland Red Data List (RDL) Workshop additional information where it was available. In was held at the Happy Valley Motel Conference total, we assessed 198 species, 41 (21%) of which Room on 15 September 2000. The venue initially were threatened or in the Lower Risk categories. booked was the nearby Mantenga Lodge, but had The remainder were either Not Threatened or Data to be switched at the eleventh hour due to unfore- Deficient. It is noteworthy that these figures are seen circumstances. Most participants responded similar to those in Hilton-Taylor (1996), implying positively and the workshop turned out to be a that the information required to revise species great success. assessed as Data Deficient, primarily through field work, has not been acquired since then. As a first The workshop was a very significant occasion step, we are currently using herbarium specimen since this was the first meeting of its kind in information from the PRECIS database to further Swaziland. It presented an opportunity to the country’s botanists and conservationists to be help identify localities. introduced to the SABONET RDL. The partici- The participants left the workshop with positive pants took to the task with unanticipated enthusi- feelings and a sense of gratitude for Janice asm and spent the whole day working through Golding’s efforts in the coordination and organi- the country’s RDL. James Culverwell and Peta sation of the workshop. As a way forward, copies Masson, who have valuable experience on the of the list as it now stands have been distributed Swazi Flora, but are now based outside to the participants for further assessment and Swaziland, even travelled all the way from comments during their day-to-day work. A Maputo (Mozambique) and Nelspruit (South follow-up workshop needs to be scheduled for Africa), respectively, in order to make the day a the near future. This effort will provide useful success. material when the schedules of protected flora are There were 14 participants in the workshop and appended to the Flora Protection Bill, No.10, the day’s main activity was re-assessing the 198 2000, in the near future. The bill has been species included in the RDL for Swaziland. As gazetted by the Swaziland Government and is ❏ time was a limiting factor, we initially planned to now being debated in parliament. split the list into three and form three groups Titus Dlamini around Kim Roques, Peta Masson and Linda Swaziland National Herbarium Dobson. However, when the modus operandi was Malkearns Research Station discussed at the beginning, the group unani- P O Box 4 mously decided that we all go through the entire Malkearns list. SWAZILAND Using the new IUCN categories (1994), we sys- E-mail: [email protected] tematically re-assessed the species one by one, Linda Dobson making changes where necessary and providing E-mail: [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 167 Red Data List: The Zimbabwe Workshop

by Anthony Mapaura

The participants at the Zimbabwe Red Data List Workshop. (Photo: J.S. Golding)

The Zimbabwe Red Data List working session For example, for the Chimanimanis, the following was held at the National Herbarium & Botanic were adopted: Garden from 16–20 October 2000. The team ➢ Chimanimani quartzite is taken to cover an area consisted of Mr. W. Fibeck, Ms. V. Phiri, Mr. M. of about 100 km2 in Zimbabwe. Kimberley, Mr. Mushongahande, Mr. T. Müller, ➢ Endemics at the highest altitudes have an Extent Mr. J. Timberlake, Mr. R.B. Drummond, Ms M. of Occurrence of about 10 km2. Coates-Palgrave, Ms. S. Childes, Dr. F. Robertson, ➢ Plants with more than 2 500 mature individuals Mr A. Maroyi, Mr. C. Mujaju, Mr. C. Chapano, Mr. are considered to be widespread on the A. Mapaura and Ms. J. Golding. Chimanimanis. The assessments concentrated on a pre-drawn list ➢ The autecology of many Chimanimani species of species but new species were also added are adapted to fires. during the working session. Species which took ➢ Chimanimani is a National Park and is well priority were country endemics (mainly from protected. There is no marked evidence of Chimanimani and Great Dyke), species with population reduction or habitat loss for many narrow distribution ranges occuring in one or two species. other countries, utilised plant species, orchids, ➢ The only species that could possibly face risk of succulents and forest species. The working ses- threat are the very showy ones (orchids, sion relied heavily on the field knowledge of the succulents, etc.) at lower, more accessible alti- more experienced participants for relevant bo- tudes. tanical data. Literature and herbarium specimens ➢ There are few instances of threats from invasive augmented the field knowledge especially with plants (pines, wattles, etc.) in the Chimanimanis. regards to distributions and taxonomy. In order to ➢ Forest outliers on the lowlands are not protected be consistent in the application of criteria, specific and are under great threat as people require standards and approaches were adopted. agricultural land.

168 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 For the Great Dyke, the following were adopted: collect this species again but with no success. The only record so far is the type collection by Bob ➢ Serpentine soils (the centre of endemism) Drummond. The species was recently collected cover an area of about 2000 km2. from Mozambique at the coast north of ➢ The dyke is not protected and faces threat Quelimane. from mining operations. Angraecopsis trifurca (Rchb.f.) Schltr. ➢ Serpentine grassland covers about 70% of the (Orchidaceae) total area of the Great Dyke. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid occuring in ➢ 2 An area of 1000–1500 km of the serpentine evergreen rain forest and mossy rocks in shade. grassland covers the Great Dyke, and most of This species was last collected in 1951 (Crook 398) the endemics are known from this habitat. and numerous, extensive searches have been ➢ The Great Dyke was divided into two ecologi- fruitless. It is believed to be extinct in Zimbabwe. cally distinct zones (North and South), each It is said to also occur in the Comoro Islands but with an area of over 750 km2. this requires confirmation. A total of 115 species were assessed as qualifying Encephalartos chimanimaniensis Dyer & for the threat categories (CR, EN, VU). 56 of these Verdoorn (Zamiaceae) were assessed as Critically Endangered, 17 as It is known from the Eastern districts, and has Endangered while 42 were Vulnerable. In addition always been known to be rare. It was only known four species were recorded as Extinct (in the wild) from a single site in the catchment of the Buzi in Zimbabwe. The remainder of the 400 or so River. Recent field surveys have been unable to species that were assessed were placed in the locate any individuals in Zimbabwe. The species Lower Risk categories or Not Threatened. It should appears to have been illegally wiped out for be noted that the assessments are preliminary and horticultural and traditional medicine purposes. need to be treated as such until extensive field Oeceoclades decaryana (H. Perrier) Garay & P. surveys take place. The participants are currently Taylor (Orchidaceae) working on those species that could not be covered during the working session due to lack of The species occurs in riverine forest in rocky time. After editing and checking, the list will be areas and under bushes on rocky outcrops; it was sent out for peer review. Any comments are also recorded in coastal forest. It is said to be welcome. extinct in Zimbabwe (W. Fibeck, pers. comm.). The first known population was destroyed The working session was very successful, thanks when a road was constructed but individuals to the participants’ enthusiasm and the contribu- were rescued 2–3 years ago (1988–1987). The tions of those who could not attend the session. species grows very well in cultivation. Cyclone We would also like to thank the Head of the Elene destroyed the only known habitat in National Herbarium & Botanic Garden for having March 2000. ❏ allowed us to use the facilities of the institute and SABONET for funding the workshop. We hope to have another one sometime next year (2001).

Species assessed as Extinct (in the wild) in Zimbabwe Anthony Mapaura RDL Coordinator–Zimbabwe Triceratella drummondii Brenan (Commelinaceae) National Herbarium & Botanic Garden This species has only been collected from South- CY 550, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe ern Zimbabwe in Chitorapudzi in Beitbridge Tel.: 263-4-744170 District. Several trips to the area were made to E-mail: [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 169 Brachystegia spiciformis an exciting discovery

by Erich van Wyk & Johan Hurter

“Discovery favours the well equipped”

The recent acquisition of a new Toyota Hilux 4X4 Contrary to popular belief in the Western world, by the National Herbarium in Pretoria, through Africa is not covered by vast “impenetrable SABONET, has opened up new frontiers in bo- tropical jungles”. The single biggest vegetation tanical exploration in the northern provinces of type on the continent is a thornless, deciduous the RSA. Since May 2000, the authors have used woodland called “Miombo”. This vegetation type this vehicle to gain access to many remote areas covers some 2 800 000 km2 of the African conti- of Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. This nent and is centralized on the central African has led to several new plant distribution records plateau (Smith 2000). The magnificent spring for these provinces as well as the discovery of flush of Miombo has been compared to the spec- undescribed plant taxa, some with extremely tacular New England fall and is one of the most localised distributions. Many more areas need colourful spectacles on the African continent. exploration and we believe that many more Miombo is characterized by the dominant pres- interesting discoveries will be made now we have ence of Brachystegia species and in the more this vehicle. The year 2000 will however be best southern parts of the range this is usually remembered for the first discovery of Brachystegia B. spiciformis. The vernacular “Miombo” is de- spiciformis, a mainly central African tree, within rived from “Muombo”, which describes these the borders of South Africa (Hurter & Van Wyk, trees in several languages indigenous to the vast in press). plateau, including parts of Malawi, Zambia, DR

South Africa’s new miombo woodland. (Photo: Erich van Wyk)

170 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Congo and Tanzania. Miombo also extends into Malonga sand flats and the northern slopes of the Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe (Smith Soutpansberg. On the second day we decided to 2000). However, until recently B. spiciformis has investigate a nearby population of the endemic been conspicuous by its absence from South Combretum vendae as a possible seed source. Africa. Many people have tried to locate this tree Venturing deeper into the Soutpansberg on our in the past, including one of the authors, but way to one of the known populations, we noticed without success. a “new turn-off” leading off into unexplored territory. However, with our minds set on the During the last week of August 2000, the authors Combretum, we decided to investigate the road on were investigating new seed sources for the the way back, should time allow. At 16:00, after a Millennium Seed Bank Project (an internationally long hard day, we decided to head back to base collaborative project driven by the Royal Botanic camp at Tshipise some 200 km by road from the Gardens, Kew, in partnership with the National C. vendae stands. Passing the “new turn-off”, we Botanical Institute in South Africa). They were in headed straight for base. a remote part of the Northern Province with the aid of the new SABONET vehicle. The area is The third day was spent in the same general area, known as Venda and over the years it has yielded investigating a few endemic species as potential several surprising discoveries of generally more seed sources. After various successful collections tropical plant taxa and narrow endemics. It takes we decided to return to base and prepare for the a day to reach the area and another to return to following day’s long drive to Nelspruit and our respective bases. Effective transport in the Pretoria respectively. On the way back we field is therefore of cardinal importance, in what stopped at a stand of Albizia adianthifolia, once becomes only a three-day expedition in a five-day again passing the “new turn-off”, and decided to workweek. investigate it later if we had time. At last, return- We spent one day in the more arid parts of the ing from our Albizia foray we drove down the southern Limpopo valley, concentrating on the “new turn-off”. Suddenly, after about 5 km, the

Flowering South African Brachystegia spiciformis. (Photo: Erich van Wyk)

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 171 vegetation started changing, becoming more References mesic in nature. As we came over a slight rise, the Campbell, B. (ed.) 1996. The miombo in transition: most magnificent sight in Africa greeted us: there woodlands and welfare in Africa. Center for Interna- in front of us and in full spring colours was a tional Forestry Research, Bogor. valley of thousands of B. spiciformis. As the sun was setting, we hastily decided to collect fertile Frost, P. 1996. Palaeohistory of miombo wood- herbarium vouchers and left the scene only after lands. In B. Campbell (ed.), The miombo in transi- the last rays had disappeared. Overjoyed by our tion: woodlands and welfare in Africa: 6. Center for find, we reached base camp at about 20:00. International Forestry Research, Bogor. This discovery is a most significant find, extend- Hurter, P.J.H. & Van Wyk, E. in press. A first ing the distribution range of B. spiciformis south- distribution record for Brachystegia spiciformis in wards across the arid Limpopo valley. South Africa. Bothalia. Palaeopalynological evidence suggests the pres- Scott, L. 1982. A late Quaternary pollen record ence of this vegetation type as far south as from the Transvaal bushveld, South Africa. Qua- Naboomspruit dating back to 19 000 BP (Scott ternary Research 17: 339–370. 1982; Frost 1996). It is believed that during geo- Smith, P. 2000. The Miombo woodlands of Africa. logical times, Miombo woodlands had expanded Plant Talk 20: 30–33. ❏ and contracted in response to climatic change (Campbell 1996). The discovery could shed some light on various vicariant events that might have Johan Hurter taken place some 19 000 years ago. Lowveld National Botanical Garden The ecology of this population is now being P.O. Box 1024 studied and we hope to present more detailed Nelspruit, 1200 technical information in a formal publication. E-mail: [email protected] Acknowledgements Erich van Wyk We are indebted to Prof. A.E. van Wyk for con- National Botanical Institute firming the identity of herbarium material. We Private Bag X101 also thank Mrs Emsie du Plessis for improve- Pretoria, 0001 ments to the text. E-mail: [email protected]

New publications from the National Botanical Institute

Goldblatt, P. & Manning, J. 2000. Cape plants: bution. Species are arranged alphabetically and A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Af- grouped in natural clusters to facilitate identifica- rica. Strelitzia 9, National Botanical Institute. tion. Cape plants follows the most recent available ISBN 0-620-26236-2. Hard cover, A5 size, pp. treatments for all plant groups, and the accounts 743. of several families and many genera have been A complete synoptic account of the Cape flora, contributed by specialists in those groups. An including ferns and fern allies, gymnosperms introductory essay describes the geology, climate and angiosperms. With keys to families and and the physical and floristic characteristics of the genera. Species entries include a diagnostic flora. With 12 pages of colour photographs of description, flowering time, habitat and distri- Cape plants.

172 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Living Plant Collections

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden by Anthony Hitchcock

The flora of southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, to house xerophytic plants that cannot be grown Swaziland, Lesotho, South Africa) is very rich and outdoors. As Kirstenbosch is located in the centre diverse with over 24 000 species distributed over of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the main emphasis a number of biogeographical regions. One of the of the garden is on plants from this region. strengths of the South African National Botanical The Kirstenbosch collections can be divided into Institute (NBI) is its national network of eight two categories. The first category comprises those gardens spread across several of these regions. collections grouped into families or parts of This enables it to grow many species under families, including Proteas (Proteaceae), Ericas conditions close to that of their natural areas. (Ericaceae), Restios (Restionaceae), Pelargoniums The living plant collections at Kirstenbosch play a (Geraniaceae), Buchus (Rutaceae), Streptocarpus pivotal role in helping the NBI achieve its mission (Gesneriaceae), Ferns (Pteridophytes), Disa to “promote the sustainable use, conservation, (Orchidaceae) and Cycads (Zamiaceae). appreciation and enjoyment of the exceptionally The second category comprises collections of rich plant life of South Africa, for the benefit of all similar plant form or habitat such as trees, shrubs, its people”. alpines, succulents, bulbs, annuals and herba- Kirstenbosch is the largest and second oldest of ceous perennials. our botanical gardens (only the Natal National Botanical Garden is older) and receives a large Protea Collection number of tourists and professional visitors. The The Proteaceae, Restionaceae, Ericaceae and garden is located in Cape Town, which experi- Rutaceae families form the Fynbos collection at ences a mild Mediterranean climate with most Kirstenbosch. Thirteen of the 14 genera and 220 of rain falling during the winter months, and has the 387 species are represented in the collection in traditionally grown a representative range of our the garden and nursery. In addition, 74 of the 161 flora. The summers are warm and dry, making it a rare and endangered species are grown. very good climate for growing a range of plant Leucospermum, Leucadendron and Protea are the types. In addition, a conservatory has been built main genera represented. The collection in the

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 173 Living Plant Collections garden has been planted with plants from other housed in the nursery. Fifty-three of the rare and fynbos families and is aimed at providing horti- endangered plants are grown. The collection cultural, as well as botanical, interest. The collec- serves as a source of material for reintroduction tion is used intensively by schools and tertiary programs. Two species extinct in the wild, Erica educational organisations. It is also very popular verticillata and Erica turgida, have been success- with tourists. fully reintroduced to a local nature reserve on the Cape lowlands. The collection serves as an educational, research and horticultural resource.

Silver trees (Leucadendron argenteum) on the lawns in the protea garden. (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones)

Restio Collection The family Restionaceae forms an integral part of Fynbos vegetation. The Restios are divided into 19 genera of which 13 are represented in the collection. Fifty-five of the 314 species are grown at Kirstenbosch, including eight of the 65 rare and endangered species. The collection is used for education and research. Horticultural research into germination methods for this group has seen great strides over the last decade; previously, very Fernwood Buttress towers over the erica garden. few species could be germinated. The germina- (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones) tion of the nut-seeded species still present a challenge. Plants are displayed in the garden to Rutaceae Collection test their potential and promote them to nurserymen and gardeners. The species are tested for There are 14 genera in the Rutaceae; most are their longevity and horticultural potential. Se- fynbos species occurring in the Cape Floral lected species are mass-produced and sold to the Kingdom. The Kirstenbosch collection consists of wholesale trade as seedlings or bigger plants. 11 genera and 122 species. This group of aromatic shrubs includes some of the most promising Erica Collection horticultural plants in the country. A number The Erica collection is a representative display of have become very popular garden subjects and the largest genus in South Africa—Erica com- are arousing interest overseas. As with other prises about 660 species, of which more than 430 fynbos plants there are some that still present occur in the southwestern Cape. The collection horticultural problems. This group is represented consists of about 252 species of which many are widely in the gardens and in a dedicated section displayed in the garden. A special pot collection of its own. A pot collection of selected forms is including the rare and endangered species is grown in the nursery. • Continued on page 179 174 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Pelargonium Collection limited to some of the species in the genus Disa Living Plant Collections and especially the different forms of Disa uniflora The genus Pelargonium is part of the Geraniaceae that occur in the southwestern Cape. These forms family and consists of about 220 species. Most are are selected for use in breeding programs. This found in southern Africa with about 80% confined orchid is exceptionally beautiful and has been to the winter rainfall area of the western Cape. recognised locally and overseas to have good cut- Pelargonium is a very diverse genus and is di- flower and pot-plant potential. An effort has been vided into 14 taxonomic sections. The collection made to rebuild the collection after a period of houses 119 species representing all 14 sections neglect. The collection is housed in the nursery and thus displays the range of diversity of the and flowering specimens are displayed in the genus. The collection is a good source of plant Botanical Society Conservatory. material for the University of Stellenbosch for DNA studies; it is also being investigated for Fern Collection potential anti-bacterial properties. Plants are There are about 331 known native species of displayed in a section in the garden and in a pteridophytes in the southern African sub-region, comprehensive pot collection in the nursery. of which 246 occur in southern Africa (including Botswana). The fern collection houses 72 species of which 28 are endemic to the Cape Peninsula. The collection is housed in a glasshouse and is used intensively for educational purposes. Plants are displayed in one of the corner units of the conservatory. Cycad Collection The cycad collection at Kirstenbosch is the largest cultivated collection in existence. There is no active collecting to increase the collection—the main objectives of the collection are conservation and providing information on the propagation and cultivation of cycads. Rare and endangered species are grown for distribution to botanical gardens world-wide. Pollen and seed are also distributed. The collection is displayed in the cycad amphitheatre and in the nursery.

Pelargonium cucullatum. Clivia Collection (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones) At present, the Clivia collection is not as representative as we would like and John Winter is Streptocarpus Collection actively collecting to improve it. The objective is This is a small collection of ornamental plants to systematically collect as many forms of Clivia with a lot of potential as breeding stock. miniata, C. nobilis, C. gardenii and C. caulescens Streptocarpus is used in various shade sections of throughout their known distribution as possible, the garden and in the conservatory for display. and to bulk up the material collected for display The main collection is housed in the nursery. in the garden. Disa Collection Bulb Collection Orchids are a diverse and specialised group. The collection comprises approximately 700 Orchid collections require intensive maintenance species. Bulbous plants from all parts of South and the Kirstenbosch collection is therefore Africa are cultivated, but most are winter rainfall

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 179 Living Plant Collections species, due to the exceptionally high number of Alpine Collection species that occur in this region. The bulk of the The Alpine collection is one of the youngest collection is housed in the nursery, under cover, Kirstenbosch collections. The alpine flora of South as many of the species cannot survive the heavy Africa—although unfamiliar to the South African winter rainfall and heavy soils in the garden. In gardening public—is attracting much overseas addition many bulbs fall prey to moles, porcu- interest. The collection is drawn from the Lesotho pines and guineafowl if planted in the garden. highlands and the Drakensberg. Collections are Only the toughest bulbs such as Watsonia, also made from the high mountains in the south- Agapanthus, Dietes and Clivia can be grown suc- western Cape. The developing collection is cessfully in the garden. A major function of the housed in the nursery and plants are displayed in collection is for horticultural and taxonomic one of the specialist units in the Botanical Society research, which has given rise to a number of Conservatory. Many of the plants require special books. Attractive genera are displayed in the Kay growing conditions, such as high light intensity Berg Bulb House in the Botanical Society Con- and low moisture and humidity. Horticultural servatory. Seed is collected and distributed to research is being conducted to determine their members of the Botanical Society and for sale. horticultural potential and methods of growing Approximately 100 rare and endangered species and displaying these plants. The Alpine group are maintained in the collection, and where has been determined to have about 137 genera possible, re-introduced into the wild, or distrib- and over 300 species. uted to other botanical gardens world-wide. Succulent Collection

This is a representative collection of the South African succulent flora and other xerophytic plants, with an emphasis on plants with horticultural potential and those that are rare and endangered. It consists of the collection in the gardens in the Mathews’ Rockery and other rockeries displaying Aloes and the Lampranthus group. Collections needing protection from the weather are kept in the nursery and as display material in the Botanical Society Conservatory. There is also a concerted effort to make succulent plants available to the public and other botanical gardens. The strength of the collection lies in groups like Aloaceae and Mesembryanthemaceae families. About 1 000 of the approximately 4 000 indigenous succulent species are represented. Current research is being done into the horticultural potential of succulents as garden and house- plants as they are true “waterwise” plants. A study of the cliff-dwelling succulents is also being done and a section of the Conservatory is being developed to display these. Regular field trips are undertaken to increase the range of the collection with special emphasis on medicinal plants. The The cycad amphitheatre. (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones) Botanical Society Conservatory is five years old and most of the plants, including the baobab, are

180 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 well established. Education is seen as one of the Living Plant Collections major attributes of this collection. Garden staff have published a number of books, papers and magazine articles to popularise succulents. Tree and Shrub Collection This is a representative collection of South Afri- can trees and shrubs. The emphasis is on plants with horticultural potential and those that are threatened or rare. The collection is represented throughout the garden with the subtropical coast section displayed in Section Q. The collection serves as material for display, research and education. Material from this collection is propagated for sale to the public and distribution to other botanical gardens. The strength of the collection is in the representation of plants from the subtropical coast, a complete Ficus collection and afro- temperate forest species. At least 350 of the approximately 1 000 South African tree species are grown at Kirstenbosch. Mesembs provide a riot of colour in October. Current activities include establishing a sub- (Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones) tropical forest, making use of natural succes- Maintenance of the Collections sion using Virgilia and Trema orientalis. Plants of the local silver willow, Salix mucronata Collections held at Kirstenbosch and other botani- subsp. hirsuta, which became extinct in the cal gardens are a valuable resource. A huge Cape Peninsula, have been reintroduced into amount of time and resources is dedicated to the streams at Hout Bay and Constantia. Field develop them and research them. It is therefore trips are aimed at collecting species that will be imperative that this effort and expense is not useful introductions. wasted. At Kirstenbosch, a maintenance plan is being established to ensure that the essentials of Herbaceous Collection day-to-day and season-to-season maintenance of Herbaceous plants include annuals, herbaceous the collection are documented in detail. This perennials such as Diascia, Plectranthus, Sutera, information is not only necessary for the present Lobelia and Nemesia, and a range of free-flowering incumbents, but also for future persons who plants that are used to great effect in the most would be required to look after our collections. visited parts of the garden. This group consists of We hope that with the introduction of the mainte- some of the most colourful species and is a group nance plan, which will be updated and amended recognised overseas as having huge commercial on an annual basis, we can improve on the quality potential. This is still a relatively young collection and sustainability of these valuable national ❏ and growing rapidly with an almost unlimited collections. resource of suitable material in all regions of Anthony Hitchcock South Africa. The main function of the group is Nursery Manager display with the main emphasis being on spring Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and summer when most of our visitors come to Private Bag X7 Kirstenbosch. The Diascia collection has also been Claremont 7735 the subject of pioneering research on plant–insect South Africa interrelationships (pollination biology). E-mail: [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 181 Computerisation of southern Africa herbaria: a regional update by S.J. Siebert and C.K. Willis

Computerisation of southern Africa herbaria is a herbaria had already computerised all the grass core activity within the SABONET Project. Fre- specimens and two had nearly done so. By No- quent updates are necessary to show the progress vember 2000, four herbaria had completely made by participating institutions. Maps showing computerised the Poaceae and a further three had the geographical distribution of specimens com- almost covered the family. puterised by the southern Africa herbaria were Total number of specimens included in the August 1998 and December 1999 Since December 1999, the following herbaria have editions of SABONET News; bar graphs were made the most progress with computerisation: included in the August 1998, April 1999 and December 1999 editions. The purpose of this • SRGH (National Herbarium, Zimbabwe)— update is to evaluate the current status of data ca 27 000 specimens computerised capturing in the participating herbaria. • WIND (National Herbarium, Namibia)— Poaceae ca 18 500 specimens computerised A regional decision was taken in September 1997 • NBG & SAM (Compton Herbarium, to start computerisation by focusing on the grass Kirstenbosch)—ca 14 000 specimens computer- specimens (Poaceae). In December 1999, three ised

Number of specimens (solid bars) and percentage of collections (striped bars) computerised in selected southern African herbaria using the PRECIS Specimen Database.

182 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 The National Herbarium in Namibia (WIND) has We hope that the computerisation rate will in- the highest percentage of computerised speci- crease once all the data capturing computers have mens: 90.3% of a total of ca 70 000 specimens have been upgraded at the participating herbaria. The been computerised. WIND is followed by the current rate is 78 700 specimens per annum—312 National Herbarium (PRE) of South Africa with specimens are computerised per working day in 63.7% of a total of ca 1 200 000 specimens and the the southern African herbaria. On average, every Herbarium of the National University of Lesotho participating herbarium computerises 24 speci- (ROML) with 51.3% of a total of ca 16 000 specimens per day. mens. In Decision 7 of the Tripartite Review Recommen- New directions dations of April 1999, it was suggested that the The data computerised in the regional herbaria SABONET members should become more pro- are of great importance to southern Africa, as this active in biodiversity issues (Minutes of the Ninth is the first attempt ever to compile a comprehen- SABONET Steering Committee meeting 22.1.7). sive, organised database of all known plant taxa This implies that we should find ways to use our occurring within selected herbaria of the southern newly acquired capacity to address issues sur- African sub-region. Decision 2 of the Tripartite rounding plant diversity, such as manipulation of Review Recommendations of 25 August 2000 our databases for conservation actions, compilation suggested that IT issues be given priority and of Red Lists, regional planning, research proposals speeded up and that the level of training be and networking. This will affect the future devel- addressed where possible (Minutes of the Ninth opment of computerisation in SABONET-partici- SABONET Steering Committee meeting 22.2.2). pating herbaria. Relevant comparative statistical Improvement of the computerisation process will data sets will assist us in determining the key be given a high priority in the coming year. plant groups that have to be computerised.

Number of grass specimens computerised (solid bars) and the percentage of the total grass specimen collection this represents (striped bars) in selected southern African herbaria using the PRECIS Specimen Database.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 183 A comparison of total number of plant specimens computerised by participating southern African herbaria during each of the two periods March–November 1999 and December 1999–December 2000.

Geographical Information Systems Conclusion The computerised information will be far more We are hoping to enhance the computerisation valuable in future if the data is suitable for data process by developing personnel skills, imple- manipulation techniques. In this regard, menting user-friendly and efficient software and georeferencing is of the utmost importance. collaborating with the SECOSUD project. Capable Quarter-degree grid square references should be staff should be appointed and a course will be attached to all computerised specimens. The scheduled to train the new data capturers. ❏ Poaceae will again be the first group to be tack- Stefan J. Siebert led. The aim is to link the distribution data of this SABONET Regional Coordinator family with a Geographical Information System E-mail: [email protected] (GIS). This will enable us to plot the distribution of the taxa, which will be of more than just taxo- Christopher K. Willis nomic use. Director: Gardens & Horticultural Services National Botanical Institute E-mail: [email protected]

“Based on projected extinction rates, botanic gardens are likely to accumulate more samples of the living dead, only a portion of which are likely to be reintroduced. These taxa therefore represent a long-term horticultural cost; accordingly, their potential for public education and fundraising should be fully exploited.” Maunder, M. et al. in Conservation Biology 14(5): 1348-9. (2000)

184 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 SOUTHERN AFRICAN BOTANICAL GARDENS NEEDS ASSESSMENT PUBLISHED

Extracts from the Southern African Botanical Gardens Needs Assessment

Executive summary The network of southern African plant scientists developed as a result of the GEF/UNDP and USAID/IUCN ROSA-funded SABONET project has proved to be an important mechanism for cooperation, collaboration and capacity-building amongst botanists in the ten countries of southern Africa. Although many of the details still need to be worked out by the countries and participating SABONET has recently published the Southern institutions concerned, SABONET could, at least African Botanical Gardens Needs Assessment by for the duration of the project, serve as the coordi- Daan Botha (recently retired), Christopher Willis nating body for a regional network of botanical and John Winter of South Africa’s National gardens in southern Africa. Preliminary results of Botanical Institute. This is the eleventh number in this regional botanical gardens needs assessment SABONET’s occasional SABONET Report Series have indicated that the staff attached to those and was published in November 2000. gardens surveyed have relatively similar needs in Twenty botanical gardens from eight of the ten terms of training, computerisation of plant countries in southern Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, records and general botanical garden manage- Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, ment. These needs can be addressed by tailor- Zambia and Zimbabwe) were included in this made training courses and workshops developed needs assessment. Although they participate in and conducted within the region. Closer collabo- the SABONET Project, neither Angola nor ration, however, needs to be developed with Swaziland has botanical gardens. national universities, herbaria and conservation agencies, as well as with the BGCI and other Extracts from the publication are included below. gardens and networks around the world. The Needs Assessment is available free of charge to anyone interested around the world, and those Introduction who would like to receive a copy can request it This report represents the results of the first from the SABONET Regional Coordinator at the needs assessment of southern Africa’s botanical following address: gardens. The gardens survey was conducted Mr Stefan Siebert between July 1998 and December 1999, following SABONET Regional Coordinator the request and approval of the necessary funds c/o National Botanical Institute by the Southern African Botanical Diversity Private Bag X101 Network’s (SABONET) Steering Committee at its Pretoria 0001 fifth meeting, held in Gaborone, Botswana, on 27 South Africa April 1998. Following the decision, mechanisms Tel. (27) 12 804 3200 were put in place for personal visits to the re- Fax: (27) 12 804 5979/3211 gion’s national botanical gardens by the authors, E-mail: [email protected] together with individual Curators (where avail-

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 185 able) of South Africa’s National Botanical Gar- International Directory of Botanical Gardens dens. In addition to those gardens surveyed (Heywood, Heywood & Wyse Jackson 1990), and outside South Africa, South Africa’s eight Na- is a first attempt at synthesizing the information tional Botanical Gardens and the Durban Botanic available on southern Africa’s botanical gardens Gardens were surveyed through correspondence in a single publication, as well as publishing the during 1999/2000. Preliminary results of the needs of selected botanical gardens in the region. gardens needs assessment were presented in It is anticipated that this information can, and earlier editions of SABONET’s newsletter, will, be used by national botanical gardens within SABONET News (Willis, Botha & Winter 1998, the region to source their own funding. 1999). The needs assessment was conducted with The database of southern African botanical gar- the aim of determining the needs of and gather- dens developed during this survey, as well as the ing first-hand information about the various rest of the publication, will be added to botanical gardens in the region. The needs, par- SABONET’s dedicated web site ticularly with regards to training, will be used to (http://www.sabonet.org) in due course. Cura- design a tailor-made Botanical Gardens Manage- tors and staff of the surveyed botanical gardens ment Course for garden staff within the southern are encouraged to inform the SABONET Regional African region. This will form part of SABONET’s Coordinator of any changes to the garden-specific capacity-building activities within the region information contained in this publication. In this (Huntley, Matos, Aye, Nermark, Nagendran, way, the database can be kept current. Seyani, da Silva, Izidine, Maggs, Mannheimer, Kubirske, Smith, Koekemoer, Dlamini, Phiri, Summary of infrastructural/develop- Nobanda & Willis 1998). mental needs Administrative staff SABONET has already produced several recent Bookshop publications concerning the status of botanical resources in the southern African region, publish- Boreholes ing a status report on southern Africa’s national Botanical literature herbaria in March 1997 (Willis 1997), as well as Computer(s) the results of a needs assessment of 55 southern Conservatory/Glasshouse African herbaria conducted by Gideon Smith and Directional signage Christopher Willis during 1998 and 1999 (Smith, Willis & Mössmer 1999). In addition, SABONET Education Centre has also published two editions of Index Erosion control herbariorum: southern African supplement (Smith & Fax machine Willis 1997, 1999a); the second edition covers 95 Fencing of garden herbaria in the region. A directory of southern Fertilizer storeroom African plant taxonomic and diversity expertise was published in July 2000 (Mössmer & Willis Fuel storeroom 2000). Whilst up-to-date information on southern Garden Centre Africa’s herbaria is now readily accessible, little Gardens mapped has been written or published about southern Greenhouse development Africa’s botanical gardens, particularly those Horticulturists outside South Africa. A manual on environmental interpretation in botanical gardens has, however, Index nursery maintenance and development recently been published by SABONET (Honig Interpretive Officer/Education Officer 2000). Interpretive signage and story boards This report builds upon information about south- Irrigation systems installed/upgraded/expanded ern Africa’s botanical gardens published in the Lawnmowers

186 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Nursery development and contribute to national and local conservation Office space projects. Botanical gardens as collections of living plants must be justified from every possible point Parking area of view “in order to be able to continue to assert Part-time herbarium assistant their right to support” (Raven 1981). Photocopier Most of the staff training needs of the various Plant labels southern African botanical gardens could be Plant records database and accessioning addressed in tailor-made training courses hosted Poison storeroom by the National Botanical Institute in South Quarantine area Africa. Components of this course, or a separate Radios (2-way) course, could be presented on the development of master plans and also the computerisation of Removal of alien invasive plants collections. The NBI’s Data Management section Restaurant has recently developed an in-house PRECIS Spraying equipment Garden Records Database (developed using Storage for growing media, soil, sand, compost, Microsoft Access), which is currently being used etc. by several of South Africa’s National Botanical Storeroom for tools and supplies Gardens to computerise their collections, and could be adopted by gardens elsewhere in south- Theme gardens ern Africa. Tractor and trailer Upgrading/replacement of old equipment Other training needs, although not specifically mentioned by the gardens surveyed, might Vehicle(s) include workshops on the role of gardens with Visitor Interpretation Centre relation to both the Convention on Biological Workshop (for maintenance of vehicles and Diversity (CBD) and the operation and implica- equipment) tions of other important conventions, such as the Recommendations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the It is important that southern Africa’s botanical United Nations Convention to Combat gardens develop their visions, missions and Desertification (CCD), the United Nations Frame- master plans in order to guide their development. work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Gardens need to consider their development Agenda 21 (concerning sustainable development within a local context, and not to try and emulate in the 21st century) and the Convention on other gardens in the region or in other parts of the Wetlands (Ramsar). Peter Wyse Jackson (1997) has world. Support must be obtained from the local written a very useful article on the impact of the surrounding community, and the garden should CBD on botanical gardens, as well as producing a be seen as an essential part of community life. It basic checklist for botanical gardens to guide is only through soliciting support from the local their involvement in implementing the CBD. This community that the gardens surveyed will have has been supplemented by articles by Peter Wyse any chance of sustainability. Gardens must also Jackson, Etelka Leadley and Christopher Hobson demonstrate their relevance to the conservation (1999) in the June 1999 edition of Botanic Gardens and sustainable use of botanical diversity in the Conservation News. The BGCI’s publication A area and country. Linkages also need to be devel- CITES Manual for botanic gardens (Akeroyd et al. oped with national and provincial conservation 1994) is also an essential document guiding agencies responsible for environmental manage- gardens in their implementation of CITES. Other ment, and staff attached to gardens need to useful publications produced by Botanic Gardens become involved in national planning exercises Conservation International (BGCI) include

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 187 The Botanic Gardens Conservation Strategy (IUCN- Inventory/Garden Records BGCS & WWF 1989), Handbook for Botanic Gardens ◗ Computerisation of living collections should on the Reintroduction of Plants to the Wild (Akeroyd be seen as a priority, and computerised infor- & Wyse Jackson 1995), Botanic Gardens Conserva- mation should be backed up regularly. tion News and the forthcoming Handbook on Plant ◗ Good records should be kept of plants growing Conservation in Botanic Gardens (in prep.). Closer in the garden. links need to be developed between SABONET, ◗ Prepare checklists of the non-landscaped areas the BGCI, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and other of the garden (which should involve integra- botanical garden networks and capacity-building tion with herbaria and associated staff). programmes around the world. An MoU between ◗ Maintain an up-to-date inventory of plants in SABONET and the Australian Network for Plant the garden. Conservation (ANPC) has recently been endorsed ◗ Ensure that the botanical garden collections, by the respective governing bodies. The project’s data and expertise are made available and newsletter, SABONET News, and the occasional utilised to the fullest extent possible. SABONET Report Series can serve as useful vehicles for sharing relevant information amongst Funding botanical gardens in the region as they are cur- ◗ Gardens need to source locally/nationally for rently doing for staff attached to southern African additional funding and infrastructural sup- herbaria. port; where available, this can be supplemented by international funding. With reduced membership fees now available for ◗ Solicit private sponsorship when government botanical gardens in developing countries, each of funding is meagre or non-existent. southern Africa’s botanical gardens should be encouraged to become a member of the BGCI. Collaboration According to the BGCI’s membership directory ◗ Closer collaboration with conservation agencies for 1999 (Holland 1999), national botanical gar- should be encouraged, specifically with regard dens in only two of the southern African countries to the propagation, cultivation, reintroduction surveyed (Malawi and South Africa), are cur- and subsequent monitoring of threatened plants, rently members of the BGCI. Being members of as well as in the preparation and implementation the BGCI will allow staff in each of southern of species recovery plans and programmes. Africa’s botanical gardens to receive BGCI’s ◗ Network with other gardens to share resources regular publications (Botanic Gardens Conservation and knowledge. News and the environmental education newslet- ◗ Carefully planned and considered short-term ter, Roots) as well as a wide range of other techni- (up to 3 months) attachments or fellowships cal publications, and allow staff to be kept in- should be developed between gardens within formed of recent developments in, and share the region. experiences and information with, botanical ◗ Communication between the region’s garden gardens from around the world. It will also staff should be enhanced, particularly through illustrate commitment on the part of the staff the medium of electronic mail. attached to the botanical gardens to be part of the ◗ Collaborate and develop partnerships with global network for botanical gardens and plant other African botanical gardens and gardens conservation. with similar climates and vegetation types The following general recommendations, several (e.g., Katse Botanical Garden with other alpine of which are closely aligned with the BGCI’s botanic gardens around the world). International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conser- ◗ Establish collaborations with development vation (Wyse Jackson & Sutherland 2000), can be agencies that work to integrate biodiversity made with regard to the development of southern conservation with sustainable use of plant Africa’s botanical gardens: genetic resources.

188 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Conservation ◗ Botanic gardens must prove their relevance to the conservation of natural and cultural herit- ◗ Integrate ex situ activities and in situ plant age and their importance as national institu- conservation through botanical gardens. tions for science, culture, recreation and ◗ Promote public awareness of the importance of tourism. in situ conservation and need for integrating in ◗ Adopt and implement, where possible, the situ and ex situ conservation activities. new International Agenda for Botanic Gardens ◗ Ex situ conservation should be seen as a means in Conservation. to an end, not an end in itself. ◗ Become involved in the monitoring and identi- ◗ Become relevant to the surrounding commu- fication of plant diversity at all levels. nity in an integrated way, without losing sight Education/Training of the fact that the primary focus of botanical ◗ gardens should be on the conservation and Support and empower staff through relevant sustainable use of plants; use every opportu- training, skills and knowledge development. nity of visitors visiting the garden to promote ◗ Where possible, use the skills within the the conservation of plants. garden to provide courses that build the ◗ Endemic, rare/threatened, ‘flagship’ species capacity of the general public. (which stimulate conservation awareness) and ◗ Botanic gardens should be developed as economically-important plants should receive centres for environmental education and priority for inclusion in ex situ collections. sustainability by having well planned environ- ◗ Identify priority tasks, institutional responsi- mental education programmes with appropriate bilities and resources that will be available to resources allocated. support specific conservation programmes. ◗ Develop an environmental education strategy ◗ Become involved in national planning proc- identifying and prioritising the target groups, esses, such as in the preparation and imple- conservation messages, sustainability and mentation of National Biodiversity Strategies development issues to be addressed. and Action Plans (NBSAPs). ◗ Education programmes should incorporate a ◗ The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) vision for a more socially and environmentally should guide the operation of the botanical sustainable future. garden. ◗ The design and implementation of a ◗ Develop policies, procedures and practices mentorship programme should be considered based on the recommendations of the CBD. for botanical garden managers and horticulturists. ◗ Ensure all staff are aware of and follow the ◗ garden’s policies, procedures and practices Develop interpretive and directional signage relating to implementing the CBD based on the appropriate to the surrounding community. recommendations of the CBD; publicise the ◗ Relate the role of environmental education to CBD and its objectives to garden visitors and demographics in southern Africa, e.g. number supporters. of children/proportion of population below a ◗ Support and contribute to the implementation, certain age. where possible, of the following conventions ◗ Demonstrate the interdependence and rela- apart from the CBD: Convention on Interna- tionship of society and nature. tional Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Management Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), United Nations ◗ Work with staff in developing and documenting Framework Convention on Climate Change practical and realistic strategic plans, institu- (UNFCCC), World Heritage Convention, tional policies and business plans, and put in Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR). place mechanisms for their implementation.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 189 ◗ Involve staff in all levels of planning and Proposed course modules are decision making. ◗ Development of vision, mission and master ◗ Develop relationships with expert support plans teams to assist in botanical garden develop- ◗ Development and implementation of business ment. plans ◗ Modern, high-technology equipment is not ◗ Fund-raising necessary for a garden to be effective. Gardens can do a lot with a little. Consideration of the ◗ Propagation and cultivation techniques questions “how/what/why” are important. ◗ Landscape design ◗ Gardens need to concentrate on getting the ◗ Environmental education basics right. ◗ Interpretive signage and labelling ◗ Develop a management plan for the natural area of the garden. ◗ Irrigation techniques ◗ Encourage the involvement of volunteers in ◗ Use of chemicals the management of the botanical garden and ◗ Use of chain saws, brushcutters the establishment of a “Friends” of the garden. ◗ Nursery development and management ◗ Manage collections according to strict scien- ◗ tific and horticultural standards. Garden Records Database ◗ ◗ Actively remove exotic and alien invasive Financial Management and budget control plant species from the natural areas of the ◗ Plant Record System garden. ◗ Preparation of compost areas ◗ Update and re-evaluate collection, conserva- ◗ Field collecting techniques tion, research, labelling, education and other policies on a regular basis to ensure that they ◗ Research techniques remain relevant to the changing needs of the ◗ Customer service organisation and national and international ◗ policies. Pest control ◗ ◗ Promote occupational Health and Safety Human resource management/staff supervi- within the botanical garden. sion ◗ Equipment/machinery operation and mainte- Marketing nance ◗ Promote the garden so as to attract tourists, ◗ Arboriculture and work with local, national and interna- ◗ tional tourist authorities to seek their advice Health and Safety and assistance in publicising the botanical ◗ Commercial horticulture garden. ◗ Integration of ex situ and in situ conservation ◗ Promote sustainable tourism, and all appropri- ◗ ate activities that are associated with it. Development of living collections policy Some of these may need to be held as stand-alone Botanical Garden Management Course courses, for example: Regarding the training needs amongst botanical ◗ Environmental education garden staff within the southern African region, a ◗ tailor-made course should include most, if not all, Garden Records Database of the subject areas listed below. ◗ Human Resource Management ❏

190 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 THE SECOND WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS by Janice Golding

The Second IUCN World Conservation Congress • KRA3: Incentives, including finance, for met in Amman, Jordan, on 4–11 October 2000. An conservation of biodiversity and sustainable estimated 2 000 individuals from 140 countries— use of natural resources representing governments, non-governmental • KRA4: Equitable sharing of the costs and organisations (NGOs), United Nations Agencies benefits and the private sector—were invited by IUCN • KRA5: Assessment of biodiversity and of Headquarters to participate. The congress was related social and economic factors hosted by the Government of the Hashemite • KRA6: Information management and commu- Kingdom of Jordan under the auspices of His nication systems Majesty King Abdullah and in the presence of the IUCN’s patron, her Majesty Queen Noor. The • KRA7: Effective management of the Union Congress was the first major conservation event The IUCN global Quadrennial Plan incorporates of the new millennium and the largest environ- socio-economic factors into the traditional bio- mental gathering ever to be held in the Middle logical approach of the IUCN and represents a East. Queen Noor of Jordan officially opened the shift to a results-driven, more integrated pro- Congress at the Amman Roman Theatre, request- gramme. Projects do not have to fit exclusively ing a moment of silence for those suffering in the into a single KRA; many overlap two or more Middle East. KRAs. Secretariats at the Regional Level and Background Country Office level will adopt the KRA frame- The first IUCN Congress was held in Montreal in work. 1996. IUCN Congresses are convened every three Thematic Sessions or four years to determine policy and the broad Congress delegates met in 12 short, parallel elements of IUCN’s global programme. The thematic sessions on Thursday, 5 October, and Congress is also a forum for IUCN members to Saturday, 7 October. The purpose of these the- elect the President and other IUCN officials, and matic sessions was to consider issues ranging to approve the Union’s Programme and budget- from ecospaces and a global culture for and-craft resolutions. Guatemala has offered to sustainability, to environment and security, to host the Third World Conservation Congress. local solutions promoting social equity and Quadrennial Plan cultural diversity. Each of the IUCN’s six Com- IUCN’s new streamlined global programme for missions, including the Species Survival Commis- the next four years—the Quadrennial Plan—was sion to which the IUCN Red Data List Pogramme, adopted at this Congress. The Plan is designed to amongst others, is attached, hosted thematic meet the IUCN’s primary conservation goals, sessions. The Species Survival Commission is the namely facing the extinction crisis and restoring largest of the Commissions, having approxi- and maintaining ecosystem integrity. The frame- mately 6 800 members followed by the World work of the Quadrennial Plan is based on seven Commission on Protected Areas with some 1 300 Key Result Areas (KRAs): members. • KRA1: Effective management and restoration One of the most interesting thematic sessions of ecosystems hosted by the Species Survival Commission was • KRA2: Institutions, agreements, processes and entitled Integrating biodiversity science into policies environment policy and management: biological

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 191 research priorities to achieve conservation. Tim differences, ensure that science is relevant and Sullivan (Chicago Zoological Society) was the make information accessible in a timely manner. facilitator. Panelists outlined current priority Representatives from each thematic session research areas for biodiversity, including reported on the outcomes of the Working Groups • Habitat loss in a Plenary Session on Monday, 9 October. • Fragmentation Plenary sittings • Overexploitation The IUCN Congress convened in nine plenary • Exotic species sittings over the course of the meeting to hear reports from the President, Director General and • Pollution Commission Chairs, as well as to approve the • Climate change IUCN Commission mandates, the programme, the • The implications of local and commercial budget, membership-related matters and resolu- bushmeat consumption for conservation in tions. The resolutions formed a significant com- tropical forests ponent of the Plenary sittings. For the Commis- • Methods for exchange of scientific information sion mandates, the Species Survival Commis- and local knowledge between biologists and sion—represented by the Chair, David Bracket— artisan fishers, in particular regarding overviewed programme priority areas: seahorse populations • Species information service • Strategies and policies to address invasive • The Red List Programme species, particularly grey squirrels in Europe • Sustainable use • Ways to conserve fragmented landscapes by • The Wildlife Trade Programme establishing biodiversity corridors • The Plant Conservation Programme • Research priorities for designing effective marine reserve networks • Invasive species • Ecological implications of economic crises • Digital libraries Panellists focused on how to make research He said SSC is concentrating on developing relevant and accessible to local communities and fisheries-related programmes and a focus on decision-makers. Participants of the thematic trade in medicinal plants. session were then divided into Working Groups Resolutions to consider interactions between scientists and More than 100 separate resolutions, recommenda- practitioners and how to better integrate informa- tions, expressions of opinions and proposals were tion from biological science into policy and reviewed before the IUCN Congress. This took management. On the first topic, participants place through numerous working/contact groups noted that scientists must provide user-friendly often long after dark or just after the crack of data, clear data maps and information on ecologi- dawn. In the end, the Congress adopted 104 cal restoration and economic valuation of biologi- resolutions on a wide range of conservation, cal functions to practitioners while working with programme and governance topics. The resolu- a multidisciplinary approach. Participants sug- tions adopted by IUCN members will orient gested practitioners could benefit from under- IUCN’s new Quadrennial programme and strate- standing the value and limits of science, taxo- gies for the next four years. The resolutions nomic methodology and emerging scientific areas addressed a wide range of issues, from saving including genetics, metapopulation dynamics and endangered species such as river dolphins, geographic information systems (GIS). On inte- Houbara bustards and black rhinos, to the man- grating scientific information into policy, group agement of ecosystems in Antarctica, Meso- members stressed that scientists must improve America, and the Mediterranean. After adopting synthesis of information, understand core cultural or withdrawing all outstanding resolutions and

192 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 hearing closing statements, participants left the sus on membership and voting issues surround- Plenary Hall of Amman’s Sports City for the last ing Congress resolutions and the IUCN Regional time shortly after noon on the last day of the Counsellors (for southern Africa and Africa). Congress. Ms Julianna Chileshe (Zambia) was re-elected as Conclusion the southern African region’s counsellor. IUCN’s Regional Office for Southern Africa The Second IUCN World Conservation Congress (IUCN-ROSA)—to which SABONET is attached— was a truly global event and also a reminder to us and its member institutions met almost every day all that economic and political agendas are almost to discuss Congress issues relevant to the south- at the forefront of environmental issues. ❏ ern African region. All the southern African countries (except Namibia) were represented by member institutions. These meetings were ex- Janice Golding tremely constructive: they afforded a rare oppor- Southern African Plant Red Data List Coordinator tunity to meet with other IUCN member institu- National Botanical Institute tions in the region and enabled the southern Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA African countries to get clarification and consen- E-mail: [email protected]

New BGCI Initiative: World-wide checklist of plants in cultivation Botanic Gardens Conservation International The BGCI does not intend to publish or make (BGCI) has initiated an exciting new project to available information on the origins of plants prepare the first-ever preliminary checklist of included in the database or checklist, nor the plant taxa in cultivation in botanic gardens of the names of botanic gardens growing each taxon as world. South Africa’s National Botanical Institute, in some cases these data may be sensitive. Instead with its network of eight national botanical the checklist will document the name of the taxa gardens spread across five provinces of the in cultivation as well as the number of botanic country, will be participating actively in this new gardens with wild material and the number of initiative. We encourage all other southern Afri- botanic gardens with material of unknown origin. can botanic gardens to participate in this initia- If your botanic garden is interested in participat- tive as well, and to contribute data for inclusion ing in this project, please contact the BGCI at the in the checklist. following address: In return for providing data, botanic gardens will receive: • A copy of the preliminary checklist (in electronic form and as a printed list) • An analysis of their holdings, in comparison to Diane Wyse Jackson other collection holders (i.e. an indication of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) the taxa that are held uniquely by them and 199 Kew Road highlighting any plants they grow that are Richmond critically endangered) Surrey TW9 3BW • Technical assistance to allow them to exchange United Kingdom data in electronic form with collaborating Fax: (44) 20 8332 5956 institutions E-mail: [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 193 Southern African herbaria

Southern African herbaria

Compton Herbarium (NBG)

History southern hemisphere, originated when the visiting German collector, C.F. Ecklon, deposited 325 The herbarium at the Kirstenbosch National of his specimens in the museum in 1825. Dr. Botanical Garden has had a chequered history Ludwig Pappe took charge of the herbarium over the last 80 years. The first building was when the museum was reorganised in 1855, and erected in 1924 and housed the University of he is considered to be its founder. He was ap- Cape Town’s Bolus Herbarium for some 14 years pointed as the first Colonial Botanist in 1858. On before it was relocated to the University. The then his death in 1863, his private collection, which director of the garden, Prof. Robert Harold included Carl Zeyher’s main herbarium, was Compton, had started a separate collection in his bought for the Cape Government Herbarium. own office and appointed Miss Buddy Barker to This was housed in the same room in the Museum curate and expand it in 1935. This collection as the Museum Herbarium. Under Prof. Peter housed in 18 cabinets was moved to the vacant MacOwan, Colonial Botanist, the two collections herbarium building in 1940. Then began a vigor- gradually merged and increased considerably. In ous expansion of the collections, which amounted 1910 the Cape Government ceded the so-called to 57 000 sheets in 119 cabinets when Compton “Cape Government Herbarium” to the Museum. retired in 1953. (He then moved to Swaziland It has been housed in the Compton Herbarium at where he began building another herbarium Kirstenbosch since 1956 and was finally donated collection!) In 1956 the trustees of the South to the NBI by the Trustees of the South African African Museum transferred their herbarium Museum in 1988. (SAM) of 118 cabinets, as well as the botanist Dr Joyce Lewis and another staff member, to The Stellenbosch Herbarium (STE) was founded Kirstenbosch. With the amalgamation of the by Dr. Vera Duthie on her appointment to the Botanical Research Institute (BRI) and National Victoria College (now the University of Botanical Gardens (NBG), the Compton Her- Stellenbosch) in 1902. Owing to lack of funds, the barium became part of the National Botanical University Council handed the general herbarium Institute (NBI). In 1996 the Stellenbosch Her- over to the State and in 1960 it became known as barium (STE) was integrated with the Compton the Government Herbarium/Staatsherbarium, Herbarium in the newly erected research complex Stellenbosch. The District Herbarium covering the at Kirstenbosch. The Compton Herbarium is now Stellenbosch area was retained by the University the second largest herbarium in southern Africa. (STEU). With the rationalisation of the state botanical interests in 1989 it became part of the The South African Museum Herbarium (SAM), new National Botanical Institute, but was only the oldest in Africa and one of the oldest in the combined with the NBG herbarium in 1996.

194 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 For the last two years the herbarium has had Southern African herbaria assistance from the SABONET programme with the databasing of these collections. To date 28 000 specimens have been encoded, covering the grasses and the first of the important families in our area: Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae. These will be followed by the Restionaceae, Ericaceae and Proteaceae. At the current rate it will take some 15 years to encode all the herbarium collections. Problems have arisen with deciphering the old handwriting—especially German Gothic script and Latin. Information service The herbarium provides a wide-ranging information service to the public, environmental plan- Prof. Robert Harold Compton. ners, conservation bodies and other researchers. On average the staff identify about 3 000 speci- Collections mens a year. The collections are housed in the modern research Research complex built in 1996 in the Kirstenbosch Na- The research undertaken by the staff mainly tional Botanical Garden in Cape Town. The covers plants from the winter-rainfall region— building is situated on the eastern slopes of Table Proteaceae, Ericaceae, Stilbaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Mountain just below some patches of fine Iridaceae, Mesembryanthemaceae, Thymelaea- afromontane forest. ceae, Campanulaceae, and Orchidaceae. The The modern metal cupboards have magnetically herbarium fortunately received a grant from Mr. sealing doors. Ventilation is of the filtered, forced- Leslie Hill, a 90 year-old Cape Town business- air variety—full air-conditioning being too expen- man, recently. This will be used to set up a labora- sive. The specimens are arranged following the tory for molecular studies, which will greatly system employed in the List of Southern African assist staff in their work on the phylogenetics and Plants based on PRECIS. evolution of Cape taxa. A recently published joint project was ‘Cape Plants: a Conspectus of the The approximately 500 000 specimens mainly Cape Flora of South Africa’ covering the 9 000 cover the winter-rainfall region of southern Africa species in our area. and contribute towards the understanding of the biodiversity of the unique Cape Floral Kingdom. There are many valuable old specimens from around the world in SAM. The collections consist only of pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The marine algal collections were recently donated to the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg (NU), the fungi to the National Mycological Herbarium in Pretoria (PREM), and the lichens and bryophytes to our sister herbarium, the National Herbarium in Pretoria (PRE). For historical reasons the SAM collections, the oldest in the country, are kept separate from the general herbarium and are sent out on loan The new building housing the Compton Herbarium. under the SAM label.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 195 Southern African herbaria Staff and research interests Mrs Judith Leith Curator: Mrs Edwina Marinus Dr John Rourke (Proteaceae, Stilbaceae) SABONET staff: Assistant Curator: Botanist (vacant) Dr Josephine Beyers (Thymelaeaceae) SABONET data encoders: Scientific staff: Ms Angela Baatjes Ms Pascale Chesselet (Mesembryanthemaceae) Ms Michelle Engelbrecht Mr Christopher Cupido (Campanulaceae) Mrs Veronica Williams Ms Ferozah Conrad (Molecular studies) Secretary: Dr Hubert Kurzweil (Mesembryanthemaceae, Mrs Susette Foster Orchidaceae) Dr John Manning (Iridaceae, pollination biology) Contact e-mail address: [email protected] ❏ Dr Ted Oliver (Ericaceae)

Dr Gail Reeves (Molecular studies) Dr E.G.H. Oliver Dr Koos Roux (Pteridophyta) Compton Herbarium (NBG) Dr Dee Snijman (Paterson-Jones) National Botanical Institute, Kirstenbosch (Amaryllidaceae) 7735 CAPE TOWN Technical staff: Tel.: (27) 21 799 8724 Mrs Cathy Cupido E-mail: [email protected]

The research complex is situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

196 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 OBITUARY Aubrey Amos Kalonga Banda (May 1963–October 2000)

▲ Aubrey Amos Kalonga Banda (1963–2000)

Aubrey Amos Kalonga Banda, Scientific Officer After joining the NHBG, Aubrey was involved in with the National Herbarium and Botanic Gar- a number of committees, such as the Social Wel- dens of Malawi (NHBG) 1996–2000, died in fare, Housing, and National Herbarium Commit- Zomba, Malawi on Monday, 9 October 2000. tees. He also served on the national Technical Committee on the Environment. This Committee Aubrey was born in Mwimba Village, Traditional is mandated to look into the EIA processes of new Authority Lukwa, Kasungu District (Central and existing projects. Region of Malawi) on 12 May 1963. He attended various primary schools before going to St John Aubrey attended two SABONET-organised Bosco Secondary School in Mzimba District courses: the Aquatic Plants Training Course held (Northern Region) in 1981. In 1985 he enrolled for at Mboma Island, Okovango Swamps, Botswana, a Degree in Education, majoring in Biology and in 1998, and the Database Management Course, Earth Sciences, at Chancellor College, a constitu- Pretoria, in 1999. In addition he also participated ent College of the University of Malawi. He in the Earth Watch Botanical Survey in Taita Hills, obtained his Bachelor of Education degree in Kenya in 1997. 1990. Before his death, Aubrey was Project Officer for In 1991 he got a job with the Ministry of Educa- an Italian funded project: “Service for Environ- tion and was posted to Mchinji Secondary School mental Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustain- where he taught Biology and Mathematics. A year able Development” (SECOSUD). later, he enrolled for a full time MSc degree in Applied Biology (Weed Science) with the Univer- Aubrey is survived by his wife, Lynn, and two sity of Malawi. He rejoined the teaching profes- daughters, Thokozani (8 years) and Mtendere sion after receiving his MSc in 1994. (5 years). ❏ Aubrey joined the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi (NHBG) as Assistant Scientific Officer in 1996 and was promoted to the rank of Scientific Officer in 1998. Aubrey was Dr Augustine Chikuni interested in the taxonomy of Cyperaceae espe- National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi cially the genus Pycreus P. Beauv. [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 197 THE PAPER CHASE by Stefan Siebert and Hugh Glen

The object of this column is to keep an eye open the plants arrived in Berlin, but specimens pick- for literature which SABONET users may find led in alcohol of 11 species. These latter survived useful. This will mostly be new publications, but because the Berlin pickle collection was in a may well include older information in answer to different building to the main herbarium. questions such as “what’s the best key to…”. It is Due to the destruction of the dried specimens, the neither possible nor desirable that the flow of pickled material and photographs must serve as such information should be one-way, from Preto- types for Von Poellnitz’s names. Breuer has cited ria outwards, so readers should please feel free to the photographs as lectotypes in previous publi- submit notes and useful information to the ad- cations, which has not made the study of the dress at the end of this column. taxonomy of Haworthia all that much easier, as the The citation of an item here does not imply any pictures remained unpublished. Now, at last, he guarantee of its contents or even its existence; has published all the photographs that matter in very often the compiler has not seen the docu- relatively large reproductions, with the plants ments referred to. appearing almost life size. Now it becomes much easier than ever before to determine the correct New books received in the Mary Gunn usage of Von Poellnitz’s names in this genus, at Library least. The introduction lists the 11 names typified by spirit material. Text with each photo gives the Breuer, I. 1999. Haworthia photographs used to place of publication of the name, and the origin of typify taxa described by Dr Karl von Poellnitz. the plant depicted. The prefatory text rhapsodises about the beautiful Breuer, Niederzier. ISBN 3-936573-11-2. Paper- pictures; specialists may agree, but the reproduc- back, A5+ size, pp. 200. Price unknown. tions leave this scribe musing on the extent to Von Poellnitz published many names in various which beauty resides solely in the eye of the groups of succulents before the Second World beholder. This book is nomenclaturally important, War. The identities of the plants he named are not probably essential to the dedicated Haworthia always easy to determine, as he worked from live specialist, and will leave the rest of us (those material grown in his own collection, and it has interested in neither nomenclature nor long been believed that he did not always make succulents) wondering what the fuss is about. As herbarium specimens of his “pets”. However it a nomenclature enthusiast I see the point; as a seems that in Haworthia the question is somewhat non-succulentophile I am unmoved by it. more involved. Here the plants were sent to Berlin, where they were photographed and Additional books and theses received in preserved. Any dried material that was prepared, the Mary Gunn Library was destroyed in the course of World War II, and the fate of any other specimens or photographs ◗ Flórula de la Reservas Biológicas de Iquitos, was unknown to most fanciers. Breuer has found Perù. R.V. Martínez. Missouri Botanical Garden not only the photographs that were taken when Press, St. Louis, 1997.

198 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 ◗ A taxonomic study of Brachystegia Benth. Recently published papers (Caesalpinioideae–Leguminosae). A.C. Chikuni. Africa—Environment & Wildlife Ph.D. thesis, University of Oxford, 1998. [Doubly (September 2000) welcome and well-timed because of Erich van Wyk’s discovery of B. spiciformis in the ◗ The Lubombos. J. Culverwell. Pages 55–61. “At Soutpansberg!] your feet you might find tiny fig trees rooted in a nutrient-poor fissure, possibly no more than 10 ◗ Keep the Lowveld green! P. Joffe. Environmen- centimetres high, yet decades old, or a clump of tal Resource Guide: Greening SA 7, 2000. Africa’s only cactus species, Rhipsalis baccifera.” ◗ A taxonomic revision of the genus Ruppia L. (Ruppiaceae) in KwaZulu-Natal. S. Ramdhani. African Journal of Ecology 38 (2000) B.Sc. (Hons.) University of Durban-Westville. 1998. ◗ Wildfire reduces elephant herbivory on ◗ Orchids of Guatemala: A revised annotated Colophospermum mopane (Fabaceae). A.D. checklist. M.A. Dix & M.W. Dix. Missouri Botani- Kennedy. Pages 175–177. An interesting study cal Garden Press, St. Louis, 2000. looking at the manipulation of elephant distribu- ◗ Systematics of Masdevallia, Part 1. C.H. Leur. tion through the application of prescribed Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, 2000. wildfires. This might be a probable solution to the management of elephant populations through ◗ Gametofitos de Helechos. B. Péres-García & R. non-destructive means. Riba. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, ◗ A reassessment of the fire-tolerance of some 1998. miombo woody species in the Central Province, Zambia. A.E. Cauldwell & U. Zieger. Pages 138– Books still in the cataloguing queue, so 146. Fire-tolerance classification of indigenous further details are not yet available woody plants has useful applications in the fields ◗ Biogeography: an ecological and evolutionary of forestry and protected area management. The approach, edition 6. C.B. Cox. & P.D. Moore. proposed method is useful to assess and monitor Blackwell, Oxford. Quarto, pp. 300. ISBN 0-86542- the fire regime status of woodlands. 778-X. Price unknown. 2000. ◗ Trends in woody vegetation cover in the ◗ MAFF International workshop on genetic Kruger National Park, South Africa, between resources: Wild Legumes. Anon. Ministry of 1940 and 1998. H.C. Eckhardt, B.W. van Wilgen & Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Tsukuba, Japan. H.C. Biggs. Pages 108–115. Changes in the cover 1999. This is a Japanese publication, from an and density of shrubs and trees were assessed organisation not to be confused with the British from aerial photographs. The changes in woody government department of the same name. It cover were meaningful showing the long-term records the proceedings of a conference held in effects of overgrazing and prescribed burning. Tsukuba in October 1999, and has apparently ◗ The influence of large mammalian herbivores been assembled without an editor. on growth form and utilization of mopane trees, Colophospermum mopane, in Botswana’s Northern ◗ The new Oxford book of food plants. J.G. Tuli Game Reserve. C.V. Styles & J.D. Skinner. Vaughan & C.A. Geissler. Oxford University Pages 95–101. Mopane veld is of great value to Press, Oxford. Approximately A4, pp. 240. ISBN ungulates in times of drought. It is shown that 0-19-850567-1. Price GBP 14.99. 1999. elephants and eland are responsible for the scrub ◗ Describing species: practical taxonomic proce- mopane. This phenomenon is necessary to ensure dure for biologists. J.E. Winston. Columbia reliant nutritious resources are available for University Press, New York. Quarto, pp. 518. browsers during the stressfull spring to summer ISBN 0-231-06825-5. Price unknown. 1999. transition.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 199 Aloe 37(1) (2000) ◗ Wetland vegetation in the North-eastern Sandy ◗ A new Cheiridopsis (Mesembryanthemaceae) Highveld, Mpumalanga, South Africa. P.M. from the Richtersveld. G. Williamson. Pages 4–7. Burgoyne, G.J. Bredenkamp & N. Van Rooyen. ◗ Will the real Ruschianthemum gigas please Pages 187–205. stand up! P.M. Burgoyne. Page 8. ◗ Miscellaneous notes. Aloaceae. The conserva- ◗ Remarkable succulents from Africa. K. Retief. tion status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated Page 9. synopsis. G.F. Smith et al. Page 206. ◗ ◗ The iNtelezi plants of the eastern Cape: tradi- Miscellaneous notes. Apocynaceae. Chromo- tional and contemporary medicines. T. Dold & some studies on African plants. 15. M. Cocks. Pages 10–13. Periplocoidea. J.J. Spies et al. Page 211. ◗ ◗ The Gamsberg zinc mine project. A. Fick. Miscellaneous notes. Poaceae. Chromosome Pages 14–17. studies on African plants. 14. Panicoidea. A. Strydom et al. Page 201. ◗ Type locality of Haworthia springbokvlakensis ◗ preserved. A.Fick. Page 18. Miscellaneous notes. Picking up the pieces: Red Data Lists in southern Africa. J.S. Golding. Page 213. Bothalia 30(2) (October 2000) ◗ Obituaries: Otto Heinrich Volk, S.W. Arnell, ◗ Studies in the Sphaerocarpales (Hepaticae) Rosemary Charlotte Holcroft, and Werner Rauh. from southern Africa. 3. The genus Riella and its Pages 215–224. local species. S.M. Perold. Pages 125–142. ◗ FSA contributions 17: Casuarinaceae. C.M. Bradleya 18 (2000) Wilmot-Dear. Pages 143–146. ◗ Four new, succulent Bulbine species ◗ Three new species of Erica (Ericaceae) from (Asphodelaceae) from the Western and Eastern Western Cape, South Africa. E.G.H. Oliver & I.M. Cape Provinces of the Republic of South Africa. Oliver. Pages 147–156. G. Williamson. Pages 31–40. Yet another example ◗ Notes on African plants. Pteridophyta. A new of the floristic richness of the Western and Eastern combination and new records for the Flora of Cape. The paper shows how the growth habit of Malawi. J.P. Roux. Page 155. these new taxa is related to their environment. ◗ Notes on African plants. Convallariaceae. A new combination in Eriospermum. J.C. Manning. Cactus and Succulent Journal 72(5) Page 157. (September 2000) ◗ Notes on African plants. Hepaticae and ◗ Superb Succulents. D. Benadom. Pages 286-287. Zannichelliaceae. New records from an ephem- Plants featured in this paper are award winners eral pan, Blouvlei, in Western Cape, South from the Gates Cactus and Succulent Society’s Africa. W.R. Harding, S.M. Perold & R.P. Glen. show in the United States. Two southern African Page 157. Gasteria species are featured as winners. ◗ Combining floristic and growth form composi- tion in a gradient-directed vegetation survey of Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Western Cape, Conservation Biology 14(4) (2000) South Africa. R.G. Lechmere-Oertel & R.M. ◗ Cowling. Pages 161–174. Timber certification: where is the voice of the biologist? E.L. Bennett. Pages 921–923. ◗ Wetland vegetation of southern KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. L. Perkins, G.J. Bredenkamp ◗ International conservation education. C.A. & J.E. Granger. Pages 175–186. Acosta. Page 924.

200 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 ◗ Indicators of biodiversity for ecologically ◗ The ecology and cultivation of rare and little- sustainable forest management. D.B. studied Ledebourias in southern Africa. C. Craib Lindenmayer et al. Pages 941–950. & L. Brown. Pages 43–50. ◗ Making consistent IUCN classifications under uncertainty. H.R. Akçakaya et al. Pages 1001– 1013. Ingens 22 (April 2000) ◗ Resilient Baobab tree faces extinction. J. Nyamayedenga. Pages 15–18. Haseltonia 7 (2000) ◗ Aptenia cordifolia (L.f.) Schwantes (Mesembryanthemaceae) in Zulu traditional Kew Scientist 17 (April 2000) medicine—An overview. N.R. Crouch, G.F. Smith ◗ Threatened Plants. W. Stuppy. Page 8. Pioneer- & M.T. Smith. Pages 30–36. Aptenia cordifolia is an ing work conducted by Kew. An audit was under- attractive and hardy plant that is more familiar as taken to determine the number of species in their a horticultural subject than as a medicinal one. living botanical collection which bears an IUCN This paper investigates the medico-magical value Category of Threat. of this taxon to the Zulu as an association that has impacted on its human-assisted dispersal in the sub-region. Ostrich 71(1) (2000) ◗ Succulent and xerophytic plants used by the ◗ Community participation in the protection of Topnaar of Namibia. P. van Damme & V. van den Kenya’s wetlands. C.M. Gichuki. Pages 122–125. Eynden. Pages 53–62. The Topnaar people have learned to appreciate and utilize more than a hundred of the 450 plant species occurring in PlantLife 23 (September 2000) their area. This paper summarizes the various ◗ The enigmatic family Mesembryanthemaceae; uses of the 18 species studied during notes on identifying mesembs. P. Burgoyne. ethnobotanical field research in the Topnaar’s Pages 5–8. area of the desert. ◗ The underground forests of Maputaland. M. Thornhill & I. Felton. Pages 9–11. ◗ Plant collecting expedition to Blyde River Herbertia 54 (1999) Canyon Nature Reserve. M. Lötter et al. Pages ◗ Selected scientific literature on geophytic 12–15. plants, 1995–1999. A.W. Meerow. Pages 244–266. ◗ What? No Red Data List for Mozambique. ◗ Notes on some rare and newly published J. Golding & S. Izidine. Page 15. species of Lachenalia from South Africa and Namibia. G. Duncan. Pages 171–179. Science 289(5480) (2000) ◗ The high altitude pineapple lily Eucomis ◗ vandermerwei, a rare endemic from South Af- Preservation of DNA from endangered species. rica. N.R. Crouch & S. Krynauw. Pages 133–138. H.N. Poinar & G. Eglinton. Page 726. ◗ Some bulbous flora of the Limpopo River drainage basin in the Northern Province. C. South African Journal of Botany 66(2) Craib & L. Brown. Pages 129–132. (May 2000) ◗ The seven species of KwaZulu-Natal Crinum: ◗ Mangrove fungi on dead taproots of A horticultural review. G. Petit. Pages 118–123. Rhizophora mucronata at three localities in

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 201 South Africa. T.D. Steinke. Pages 91–95. resources. South Africa should gear itself to prepare well-drafted patent laws for plant ◗ Pelargonium quarticola (Geraniaceae), a new products. species from the Knersvlakte. U. Meve, U. Schmiedel & E.M. Marais. Pages 96–98. ◗ Facilitation of interdisciplinary collabora- ◗ Metzgeria nicomariei, a new species of tion in research: lessons from a Kruger Na- Metzgeriaceae from South Africa. A. Veltman, tional Parks Rivers Research Programme M.J. Potgieter & A.E. van Wyk. Pages 112–114. project. G.P.W. Jewitt & A.H.M. Görgens. Pages 410-414. The paper deals with the obstacles ◗ Seasonal gas exchange responses under three which can be encountered when projects deal- different temperature treatments in a leaf- ing with natural resource management draws suculent and a drought-deciduous shrub from upon the expertise of scientists in different the Succulent Karoo. M.R. Bowie, S.J.E. Wand & disciplines. It uses the project in the Kruger K.J. Esler. Pages 118–123. National Park as a case study and draws on its ◗ Stump size and the number of coppice shoots problems and solutions. for selected savanna tree species. C.M. Shackleton. Pages 124–127. The African Ethnobotany Network 2 ◗ Short Communications. Roots of (September 2000) Colophospermum mopane. Are they infected by ◗ Review of Ethnobotanical Literature for Cen- rhizobia? A. Jordaan, H.J. du Plessis & D.C.J. tral and West Africa. E. Dounias, W. Rodrigues $ Wessels. Page 128. C. Petit. Pages 5-117. Researchers often get frus- ◗ Short Communications. New chromosome trated when their literature search concerning number records for South African Oxalis spe- ethnobotany in Africa only yields meagre results. cies. L.L. Dreyer & C. Johnson. Page 130. To overcome the difficulties of access to relevant information, this Bulletin of the African South Africa Journal of Science 96 Ethnobotany Network provides a survey of (August 2000) ethnobotanical literature from Central and West Africa, which compliments the review for East ◗ Intellectual property rights: plants and phyto- and Southern Africa published in the last Bulle- medicinals — past history, present scenario and tin. future prospects in South Africa. J. George & J. van Staden. Pages 433–442. The ever-changing plethora of patent laws in Europe and the United Trends in Ecology and Evolution 15(8) States has caused the emergence of a new eco- (2000) nomic order that has provided the “North” with a ◗ commercial edge over several less developed Eradication revisited: dealing with exotic ❏ nations gifted with a natural wealth of plant species. J.H. Myers et al. Pages 316–320.

202 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 supplemented with a description of the history of the Orange (Gariep) River and the people who Book Review lived along its banks. Colourful maps of the area are provided. A detailed description of the geology of the area is included and the different geological types are illustrated with colour photographs. This is followed by historical information of the Augrabies and Riemvasmaak area with a short reference to management objectives of the Park. The chapter on plants consists of descriptions of 23 of the most common plant species, distributed in hilltop veld, undulating veld and drainage channels. The author gives a general introduction to the vegetation and the species are described, but in no specific order. Scientific and common names are used and the text makes for easy and informative reading, although identification of some of the plant species from the photographs might be difficult for most visitors. The chapter on animals refers to different animal groups including an extensive description and discussion of the Augrabies flat lizard. It is claimed that the main viewing area, where so many technicoloured lizards scurry about, has the densest lizard population on earth. Checklists of flowering plants, mammals, birds, Augrabies splendour. Pieter van der Walt. reptiles, fish and frogs complete the booklet and Info Naturae. ISBN 0-620-26215-X. English. 73 pp. should be useful to the serious ecotourist. The Soft cover, 210 x 150 mm. literature references given at the end of the guidebook should come in handy to those in The author describes the area as a “museum of search of more information. natural forces” and the intention of the guidebook The layout is good and the guidebook provides is to enhance the experience of visitors to the interesting information to any ecotourists visiting area. Although the adjacent Riemvasmaak is not the area. However, the information on animal life, part of the Augrabies National Park, it is included except for the lizards, is somewhat superficial. in this book because the author views it as an integral part of the Augrabies area. Colour photo- It is clear the author’s aim is to cater to the needs graphs of the flooded river, geological formations, of ecotourists and he provides information on plants and lizards add to the text. geology, plants and animals not readily available. The guidebook is recommended to people visiting Fourteen chapters cover introductory informa- this arid part of southern Africa. ❏ tion, geology, plants, animals and check lists of plants and animals. The introductory chapters contain geographical, Dr Noel van Rooyen travel, climate, and reservation information on Ecologist the Augrabies and Riemvasmaak areas. This is Tel.: (27) 12 3489043

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 203 Announcement 10th International Conference of the International Association of Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens and their Commitment to Society into the Third Millenium 18–24 June 2001 Cordoba, Spain Under the auspices of The International Association of Botanic Gardens (IABG) Organized by the Botanic Gardens of Cordoba With the collaboration of the City Council of Cordoba and the University of Cordoba Contact The Botanic Gardens of Cordoba Avda. de Linneo, s/n 14004 - Cordoba, Spain Contact person: Inmaculada López Tel.: 34-957-200077 or 34-957-200355 Fax: 34-957-295333 E-mail: [email protected] Objectives This Conference for experts and others interested in botanic gardens will study the current status and the priorities necessary for the social profitability, the financing and sustainablity of botanic gardens in general. It will focus on gardens’ role in education, their position within the framework of international Conventions such as CITES and the Convention on Biodiversity, their potential implication in the trade of plant species and in the collection and conservation of plant genetic resources, their ties to ex situ and in situ conservation programs, as well as the cultural and artistic heritage that is preserved in the gardens themselves. Potential participants Botanic garden personnel, nurserymen and scientists interested in plant resources conservation and sustainable management. Official languages Simultaneous English / Spanish translation. ❏

204 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 adopted by the IUCN-Species Survival Commis- Book Review sion in October 2000. 11 046 plant and animal species appear in this Red Data List. Of these, only 5 611 are plants. Calculated, this means that 4% of the world’s plants appear on the Red Data List; an earlier IUCN Red Data List of two years ago calculated 12% of the world’s flora to be on the Red Data List. This surprisingly low figure (compared to previous global Red List publications) is mislead- ing as it in no way implies an improvement of the situation. On the contrary, it is emphasised throughout that the work is founded on biases that can readily be avoided in future compilations. The coverage of faunal species such as mammals and birds is relatively good. People interested in red-listed animals will find the work extremely useful, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for people interested exclusively in plants. All in all, this work is attractively packaged, and sets a good standard for future Red List compilations. It certainly achieves what it has set out to do: to get people talking about threatened 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. plants and animals. ❏ Hilton-Taylor, C. (Compiler) 2000. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. xviii + 61pp. Janice Golding The latest Red Data List from the IUCN-Species Southern African Plant Red Data List Coordinator Survival Commission was released in the after- National Botanical Institute noon of 28 September 2000. This formidable Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA compilation of the world’s Red Listed plants and E-mail: [email protected] animals has since enjoyed much high-profile media coverage in many countries of the world. The 2000 IUCN Red List serves to alert us of, and confirms, the global extinction crisis. This it does well. The List itself is available as a searchable database on the Internet due to high demand and the need for increased accessibility. A hardcopy containing country and plant group summary statistics is available, and is packaged with a user-friendly CD-ROM of the List. The CD-ROM is a stand-alone version of the web site that is well worth browsing. The assess- ▲ ments were made using the IUCN 1994 catego- Number of plant species from the SABONET member countries that appear in the 2000 IUCN Red List of ries. The List will be updated by the IUCN in its Threatened species. Australia, the United States and Canada current format on an annual basis, possibly using were included to compare figures. (Prepared by J. S. the new IUCN categories that were formally Golding)

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 205 Southern African Botanists’ E-mail addresses

The following is a list of the e-mail addresses for Mr Mbaki Muzila - [email protected] staff working in some of the national/university Dr Moffat Setshogo - [email protected] herbaria, botany departments, botanical gardens and biodiversity programmes of southern Africa. LESOTHO Thanks to all those who sent their e-mail ad- Herbarium - National University of Lesotho dresses to the editors for inclusion in this list. (ROML) PLEASE NOTE that this list gets updated every Mr Paseka Mafa - [email protected] issue of our newsletter. In order to avoid frustra- (currently studying for a MSc at the tion and possible disappointment, our readers are University of Cape Town) advised to please use the most recent list avail- Ms Annah Moteetee - [email protected] able. Some of the addresses listed in previous (currently studying for a PhD at the Rand editions of the newsletter may no longer be Afrikaans University) relevant. University Botanic Garden SPECIAL APPEAL: Should you be aware of any Mr Moretloa Polaki - [email protected] changes to one or more of the addresses listed below, or would like to be added to the list, please notify Stefan Siebert, at MALAWI [email protected] so that the list can be National Herbarium (MAL) and Botanic Gardens updated on a regular basis. Dr Augustine Chikuni - [email protected] OR ANGOLA [email protected] Mr Dickson Kamundi - Agostinho Neto University [email protected] Dr Esperança Costa - [email protected] Mr Bintony Kutsaira - OR [email protected] OR [email protected] [email protected] Mr Zacharia Magombo - Dr Elissaveta Loutchanska - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Liz Matos - [email protected] Ms Cecilia Maliwichi - [email protected] Ms Elizabeth Mayaka - BOTSWANA [email protected] Mr Montfort Mwanyambo - National Herbarium (GAB) [email protected] E-mail not yet available General NHBG address: [email protected] Peter Smith Herbarium (PSUB) Dr Elmar Veenendaal - [email protected] Medicinal plants: [email protected] General address - [email protected] National Botanic Gardens of Malawi University of Botswana Herbarium (UCBG) - Mr Mphamba Kumwenda - NEW ADDRESSES [email protected]

206 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 MOZAMBIQUE SOUTH AFRICA

LMA Herbarium Bolus Herbarium (BOL) - University of C5ape Mr Mario da Silva - [email protected] Town (includes Associated Staff) Ms Samira Izidine - [email protected] Mrs Anne Bean - [email protected] OR [email protected] Dr Peter Bruyns - [email protected] Ms Marta Manjate - [email protected] Prof. Tony Hall - [email protected] OR [email protected] Ms Cornelia Klak - [email protected] Prof. Peter Linder - [email protected] LMU Herbarium - Eduardo Mondlane University Ms Sioban Munro - [email protected] Mr Salomão Bandeira - Terry Trinder-Smith - [email protected] [email protected] Mr George Verboom - [email protected] Ms Filomena Barbosa - Bolus library - [email protected] [email protected] Buffelskloof Private Nature Reserve & Herbarium Ms Carlota Quilambo - [email protected] Mr John Burrows - [email protected] Department of Biological Sciences - Eduardo C.E. Moss Herbarium (J) - University of the Mondlane University Witwatersrand John Hatton - [email protected] Prof. Kevin Balkwill - [email protected] Dr Mandy-Jane Balkwill - NAMIBIA [email protected] Ms Glynis Cron - [email protected] National Botanical Research Institute Mr Donald McCallum - Ms Patricia Craven - [email protected] [email protected] Dr Gillian Maggs-Kölling - [email protected] Mrs Reneé A Reddy - [email protected] General NBRI address - [email protected] Mr Ramagwai J. Sebola - [email protected] Polytechnic of Namibia Mr Dave Joubert - [email protected] Coastal & Environmental Services Dr Ted Avis - [email protected] National Herbarium (WIND) Ms Kate Johnson - [email protected] Ms Esmerialda Klaassen - [email protected] Ms Coleen Mannheimer - Compton Herbarium (NBG & SAM) [email protected] Dr Jo Beyers - [email protected] Ms Pascale Chesselet - [email protected] National Botanic Garden Ms Ferozah Conrad - [email protected] Mr Henk Dauth - [email protected] Mr Christopher Cupido - [email protected] Vegetation Survey Dr Peter Goldblatt - [email protected] Mr Ben Strohbach - [email protected] Dr Hubert Kurzweil - [email protected] Dr John Manning - [email protected] National Plant Genetic Resources Centre Dr Ted Oliver - [email protected] Ms Herta Kolberg - [email protected] Dr John Rourke - [email protected] Dr Koos Roux - [email protected] Namibian Tree Atlas Project Dr Dee Snijman - [email protected] Ms Barbara Curtis/Coleen Mannheimer - [email protected] Donald Killick Herbarium, KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service Mr Rob Scott-Shaw - [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 207 Durban Botanic Gardens Dr George Davis - [email protected] Mr Christopher Dalzell (Curator) - Mr J de Wet Bosenberg - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Barry Lang (Senior Horticulturist) - Dr John Donaldson - [email protected] [email protected] Dr Timm Hoffman - [email protected] Mr Richard Symmonds (Education Dr Guy Midgley - [email protected] Officer/Horticulturist) - Dr Charles Musil - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Ingrid Nänni - [email protected] Dr Mike O’Callaghan - [email protected] Free State National Botanical Garden Mr Les Powrie - [email protected] Mr Martin Lumley - [email protected] Dr Tony Rebelo - [email protected] Mr Amadeus Mogale (Curator) - Dr Mike Rutherford - [email protected] [email protected] When sending mail to a staff member at the Free Lowveld National Botanical Garden State National Botanical Garden, insert the name Mr Rudi Britz (Curator) - [email protected] of the person in the subject line Mr Johan Hurter - [email protected] Mr Willem Froneman - [email protected] Harold Porter National Botanical Garden When sending mail to a staff member at the Ms Karin Behr (Curator) - [email protected] Lowveld National Botanical Garden, insert the Herbarium Soutpansbergensis name of the person in the subject line. Mr Norbert Hahn - [email protected] Mpumalanga Parks Board - Lydenburg Jonkershoek Herbarium Ms Sonnette Krynauw - [email protected] Ms Melanie Simpson - Mr Mervyn Lotter - [email protected] [email protected] Natal Herbarium (NH) Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden Dr Neil Crouch - [email protected] Mr Ian Oliver (Curator) - [email protected] Mr Jeff Govender - [email protected] OR [email protected] Ms Nikaya Govender - Kimberley McGregor (KMG) Museum Herbarium [email protected] Ms Tania Anderson (Curator) - Mr Melusi Mazibuko - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Alfred Ngwenya - [email protected] Ms Annemarie van Heerden (assistant curator) - Ms Nontuthuko Ntuli - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Yashica Singh - [email protected] Ms Rosemary Williams (Curator) - Kimberley South African National Parks Her- [email protected] barium (KSAN) Dr Hugo Bezuidenhout - [email protected] Natal National Botanical Garden Ms Michelle Harck - [email protected] Mr Brian Tarr (Curator) - [email protected] National Botanical Institute Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Prof. Brian Huntley - [email protected] Mr Graham Duncan - [email protected] (CEO) Mr Anthony Hitchcock - Prof. Gideon Smith - [email protected] [email protected] (Director: Research & Scientific Services) Mr Philip le Roux (Curator) - Mr Christopher K. Willis - [email protected] [email protected] (Director: Gardens & Horticultural Mr Ernst van Jaarsveld - [email protected] Services) OR [email protected] (home) Mr John Winter - [email protected] Kirstenbosch Research Centre (Deputy Director: Gardens & Horticul Dr Neville Brown - [email protected] tural Services)

208 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Dr Maureen Wolfson - [email protected] Ms Shirley Smithies - [email protected] (Deputy Director: Research and Ms Hannelie Snyman - [email protected] Education) Ms Christina Steyn - [email protected] Dr Elsie Steyn - [email protected] National Herbarium (PRE) Mr Jacques van Rooy - [email protected] Dr Heidi Anderson - [email protected] Ms Helen van Rooyen - [email protected] Dr John Anderson - [email protected] Ms Janine Victor - [email protected] Ms Clare Archer - [email protected] Ms Mienkie Welman - [email protected] Dr Robert Archer - [email protected] Mr Trevor Arnold - [email protected] NBI Libraries: Ms Antoinette Botha - [email protected] Mary Gunn Library - [email protected] Ms Christien Bredenkamp - [email protected] Librarian: Mary Gunn Library (Ms Estelle Ms Priscilla Burgoyne - [email protected] Potgieter), National Herbarium - Ms Maud Cloete - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Carole de Wet - [email protected] NBI Librarian (Kirstenbosch): Dr Bernard de Winter - [email protected] Ms Yvonne Reynolds - Ms Emsie du Plessis - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Lyn Fish - [email protected] Peninsula Technikon - Department of Biological Mr Gerrit Germishuizen - [email protected] Sciences Dr Hugh Glen - [email protected] Mr JC Coetzee - [email protected] Ms René Glen - [email protected] Ms Beverley Harris - [email protected] Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithol- Ms Lesley Henderson - [email protected] ogy - Tierberg Karoo Research Centre field station Mr Paul Herman - [email protected] Dr Sue J. Milton - [email protected] Ms Millissa Heymann - [email protected] Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Agricultural Ms Marie Jordaan - [email protected] Research Council Ms Marinda Koekemoer (Curator) - Dr Roger Ellis - [email protected] [email protected] Potchefstroom University Ms Louisa Liebenberg - [email protected] Dr Matt H. Buys - [email protected] Mr Cuthbert Makgakga - [email protected] Dr Sarel S. Cilliers - [email protected] Mr Mactavish Makwarela - Prof. Braam Pieterse - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Alice Masombuka - [email protected] PRECIS Mr David Mbedzi - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Jean Meyer - [email protected] Pretoria National Botanical Garden Ms Nicole Meyer - [email protected] Mr Hans Heilgendorff (Curator) - Ms Kinny Mmakola - [email protected] [email protected] Ms Beverly Momberg - General: [email protected] [email protected] Qwa Qwa Herbarium - University of the North OR [email protected] (Qwa Qwa campus) Mr SonnyboyMothogoane - [email protected] Prof. Rodney Moffett - [email protected] Ms Caroline Netnou - [email protected] Rand Afrikaans University - Botany Department Mr Solomon Nkoana - [email protected] Dr Patricia Tilney - [email protected] Ms Tandiwe Nkonki - [email protected] Prof. Herman van der Bank - [email protected] Dr Sarie Perold - [email protected] Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk - [email protected] Ms Cathy Prentice - [email protected] Ms Julie Ready - [email protected] Range and Forage Institute, Agricultural Re- Ms Elizabeth Retief - [email protected] search Council Mr Paulus Sebothoma - [email protected] Dr Kathy Immelman - [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 209 Rhodes University - Botany Department University of Cape Town - Botany Department Dr Nigel Barker - [email protected] Prof. John Bolton - [email protected] Prof. CEJ Botha - [email protected] Prof. William Bond - [email protected] Prof. Roy Lubke - [email protected] Dr Jill Farrant - [email protected] Mr Pete Phillipson - [email protected] OR Dr Jeremy Midgley - [email protected] [email protected] Prof. Willie Stock - [email protected] (NEW ADDRESSES) University of Cape Town - Institute for Plant Mr BS Ripley - [email protected] Conservation Rondevlei Scientific Services Herbarium, Wilder- Dr Dave Richardson - [email protected] ness National Park, Sedgefield Dr Nick Hanekom - [email protected] University of Durban-Westville - Botany Depart- Ms Francine Rubin - [email protected] ment Dr Ian Russell - [email protected] Prof. Snowy Baijnath - [email protected] Ms Beate Sachse - [email protected] Dr Ashley Nicholas - [email protected] Mr Pravin Poorun - [email protected] Saasveld Herbarium (SAAS) - Port Elizabeth Technikon University of Natal-Durban - Biological Sciences Mr Mike Cameron - [email protected] Department Mr Peet Peens (Curator) - [email protected] Prof. Alan Amory - [email protected] Prof. Patricia Berjak - [email protected] H.G.W.J Schweickerdt Herbarium (PRU) - Uni- Dr Glen Campbell - [email protected] versity of Pretoria Prof. John Cooke - [email protected] Ms Martie Dednam - [email protected] Mr Bruce Page - [email protected] Prof. Braam van Wyk - Prof. Norman Pammenter - [email protected] [email protected] Scientific Services Herbarium, Department of Mr Herbert M. Sibiya - [email protected] Water Affairs and Forestry, Knysna Mr Dehn von Ahlefeldt - Mr Johan Baard (Curator) - [email protected] [email protected] Dr Paula Watt - [email protected] Mr Rynhard Kok - [email protected] University of Natal-Durban - Electron Micro- Selmar Schonland Herbarium, Grahamstown scope Unit, George Campbell Building Ms Estelle Brink - [email protected] Mr James Wesley-Smith (plant scientist) - Mr Tony Dold - [email protected] [email protected] Skukuza Herbarium (KNP), Kruger National Park Ms Guin Zambatis (Curator) - University of Natal-Pietermaritzburg - School of [email protected] Botany & Zoology Mr Nick Zambatis - [email protected] Ms Angela Beaumont - [email protected] Southern Cape Herbarium Dr RP Beckett - [email protected] Yvette van Wijk - [email protected] OR Mr Clinton Carbutt - [email protected] [email protected] Dr TJ Edwards - [email protected] Technikon Pretoria Herbarium Ms CW Fennell - [email protected] Cecilia de Ridder - [email protected] Dr JF Finnie - [email protected] Dawid du Plessis (Curator) - Dr JE Granger - [email protected] [email protected] Prof. EF Hennessy - [email protected] Umtamvuna Herbarium, Umtamvuna Nature Dr Steven D Johnson - Reserve [email protected] Mr Tony Abbott - [email protected] Ms NP Makunga - [email protected]

210 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Ms Christina Potgieter - University of Stellenbosch - Botanic garden [email protected] Piet van der Merwe - [email protected] Dr MT Smith - [email protected] University of the Transkei - Botany Department Prof. J van Staden - [email protected] Prof. R Bhat - [email protected] University of the North - Botany Department Dr Sizwe Cawe - [email protected] Mr Martin J Potgieter - RV Nikolova - [email protected] [email protected] University of North-West - Biological Sciences Mr Pieter Winter - [email protected] Department Mr S David Phalatse - University of the Orange Free State - Department [email protected] of Botany and Genetics Dr Andor Venter - [email protected] University of Venda - Botany Department Prof. Johan Venter - [email protected] Mr Maanda Ligavha - Prof. RL Verhoeven - ligavham/[email protected] [email protected] Ms Colleen Todd - todd_colleen/[email protected] University of Port Elizabeth - Botany Depart- Mr Robert Tshivhandekano - ment robie/[email protected] Dr JB Adams - [email protected] Prof. Pablo Weisser - (Estuarine vegetation) pablo/[email protected] Prof. Guy C Bate - [email protected] University of the Western Cape - Botany Depart- (Estuarine micro-algae) ment Dr EE Campbell - [email protected] Dr Derek Keats - [email protected] (Terrestrial vegetation) Dr Richard Knight - [email protected] Dr DR du Preez - [email protected] Lincoln M Raitt - [email protected] (Surf zone algae) Mr Frans M Weitz - [email protected] Mr PT Gama - [email protected] (Microalgae) University of the Witwatersrand - Botany De- partment University of Pretoria - Botany Department Prof. Ed Witkowski - [email protected] Prof. George Bredenkamp - University of the Witwatersrand - Department of [email protected] Pharmacy Prof. Albert Eicker - [email protected] Dr Alvaro Viljoen - [email protected] Dr Veldie van Greuning - [email protected] Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden Ms Sharon Turner (Curator) - University of Pretoria - Pharmacology Depart- [email protected] ment Mr Andrew Hankey - [email protected] Prof. JN Eloff - [email protected] When sending mail to a staff member at the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, University of Stellenbosch - Botany Department insert the name of the person in the subject line. Prof. Frikkie Botha - [email protected] Dr Charlie Boucher - [email protected] NOTE: Additional South African botanists’ e-mail addresses Dr Leanne Dreyer - [email protected] can be accessed on the internet at the following address: http://www.ru.ac.za/departments/herbarium/ Dr Karen Esler - [email protected] SAHWG/address.html Ms Lynn Hoffmann - [email protected] The web page entitled “Southern African Botanists’ ad- Dr Bettie Marais - [email protected] dresses” was prepared by Peter Phillipson, Rhodes Univer- Prof. Valdon Smith - [email protected] sity and the Selmar Schonland Herbarium, Grahamstown, with thanks to Nigel Barker and Les Powrie. Dr Piet Vorster - [email protected]

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 211 SWAZILAND Ms Ratidzayi (Rattie) Takawira - [email protected] (also avail National Herbarium (SDNH) able through SRGH) Mr Titus Dlamini (Curator) - [email protected] (NEW ADDRESS) TEAM VUMBA - The Environmental Association This address can be used to contact Titus Dlamini, for Management of Vumba’s Unique Mountain Gideon Dlamini or Bongani Dlamini at the Na- Biodiversity Areas tional Herbarium. Insert the name of the person Dr Colin Saunders - [email protected] in the subject line. University of Zimbabwe - Department of Biologi- cal Sciences Dr Shakkie Kativu - [email protected] ZAMBIA Mr I Mapaure - [email protected] Dr Clemence Zimudzi - [email protected] Forestry Herbarium (NDO) Mrs E.N. Chupa - [email protected] University of Zimbabwe - Institute of Environ- Noah Zimba - [email protected] mental Studies Prof. Bruce Campbell - [email protected] Herbarium (UZL) - University of Zambia OR [email protected] Ms Tasila Banda-Sakala (presently studying at Prof. Peter Frost - [email protected] the Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA) - [email protected] OR [email protected] Independent OR [email protected] Mr Michael Kimberley - [email protected] Mr David Chuba - [email protected] (cycads, orchids and succulents) (currently studying for a MSc at the Ms Meg Coates Palgrave - [email protected] University of Cape Town) Mr Darrel C.H. Plowes - [email protected] Ms Florence Nyirenda - Dr Fay Robertson - [email protected] [email protected] (ecology of miombo and other dry tropical Dr Patrick Phiri - [email protected] OR woodlands) [email protected] Ms Cathy Sharp - [email protected] (ecology of Munda Wanga Trust (Botanical Garden) macrofungi, especially in miombo wood Mr Douglas Gibbs - biopark.zamnet.zm lands) Independent Mrs Mary Wilkins/Ellert - Mr Mike Bingham - [email protected] [email protected] Mr Bob Dehning - [email protected] (trees)

ZIMBABWE

Biodiversity Foundation for Africa Mr Jonathan R. Timberlake - [email protected] (small messages only) OR Botanists working on [email protected] southern African plant taxa

National Herbarium (SRGH) & Botanic Garden This section lists e-mail addresses of a few of the Mr Ezekeil Kwembeya - [email protected] botanists living outside southern Africa that are Mr Claid Mujaju - [email protected] working with southern African plant taxa. If you National Herbarium (SRGH) - [email protected] would like to be included in this list, please notify Ms Nozipo Nobanda (Curator) - one of the editors together with the names of the [email protected] families/taxa you are working on.

212 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 AUSTRALIA University of Cologne - Botanical Institute Queensland Herbarium, Toowong, Queensland Dr Joachim Thiede - Bryan Simon - [email protected] [email protected] (work) (Aizoaceae; Crassulaceae) [email protected] (home) University of Hamburg - Institut fuer Allgemeine (Tropical grasses) Botanik Prof. Dr HEK Hartmann - [email protected] ENGLAND (Aizoaceae; Mesembryanthema) IUCN - World Conservation Union Dr Pia Parolin - [email protected] Craig Hilton-Taylor - [email protected] hamburg.de (Desert ecology; ecophysiology) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Diane Bridson - [email protected] (Rubiaceae; Vahliaceae) NETHERLANDS Dr Dick Brummitt - [email protected] Agricultural University, Wageningen Dr Thomas Cope - [email protected] Ir Ben Groen - [email protected] (Poaceae) (Asphodelaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) Dr Phillip Cribb - [email protected] Prof. Dr LJG van der Maesen - (Orchidaceae) [email protected] Dr David Goyder - [email protected] (Fabaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) (Asclepiadaceae; Fabaceae) Dr Ir Jan J Wieringa - Herbarium Vadense Ms Yvette Harvey - [email protected] (WAG) - [email protected] (Capparaceae; Lamiaceae; Sapotaceae) (Fabaceae (Leguminosae): Aphanocalyx, Dr Michael Lock - [email protected] Bikinia, Icuria, Monopetalanthus and (Fabaceae; Xyridaceae; Zingiberaceae) Tetraberlinia) Dr Alan Paton - [email protected] (Lamiaceae; Verbenaceae) Dr Sylvia Phillips - [email protected] NEW ZEALAND (Eriocaulaceae; Poaceae) Dr Gerald Pope - [email protected] Victoria University, Wellington (Asteraceae) Mr Fanie Venter - [email protected] Dr Brian Schrire - [email protected] (Fabaceae; Rhamnaceae) NORWAY Dr Kaj Vollesen - [email protected] (Acanthaceae: Blepharis, Duosperma) Agricultural University of Norway - Department of Biology and Nature Conservation Prof. Kåre Lye - [email protected] GERMANY (Cyperaceae) Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena Botanical Garden and Museum, University of Dr Norbert Zimmermann - Oslo [email protected] Dr Brita Stedje - [email protected] (Euphorbiaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) (Anthericaceae; Asphodelaceae; University of Bayreuth Hyacinthaceae) Prof. Sigrid Liede - [email protected] Botanical Institute, The Norwegian Arboretum, (Asclepiadaceae; Mesembryanthemaceae) University of Bergen, Hjellestad Dr Ulrich Meve - [email protected] Dr Cornelis Berg - [email protected] (Asclepiadaceae) (Moraceae; Ulmaceae)

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 213 SWEDEN Iowa State University - Department of Botany Swedish Museum of Natural History (Ada Hayden Herbarium) Prof. Robert S. Wallace - [email protected] Dr Mari Kallersjo - [email protected] (Molecular systematics and phylogeny of (Asteraceae; Myrsinaceae; Primulaceae) Aizoaceae s.l. (including Prof. Dr Bertil Nordenstam - Mesembryanthemaceae); [email protected] (Compositae, Aloaceae/Asphodelaceae; Cactaceae; especially Senecioneae and Calenduleae: Didiereaceae; Nyctaginaceae; Syncarpha; Colchicaceae: Anticharis) Phytolaccaceae; Portulacaceae) Uppsala University University of California - Jepson Herbarium Prof. Kåre Bremer - [email protected] Bruce Baldwin - (Asteraceae) [email protected] Mr Mattias Iwarsson - (Asteraceae: Blepharispermum, [email protected] Welwitschiella) (Lamiaceae: Leonotis) University of Missouri-Columbia - Dunn-Palmer Herbarium (UMO) SWITZERLAND Dr P Leszek D Vincent - [email protected] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of (Asteraceae: Senecio; Iridaceae: Aristea) Zürich Prof. Christopher Cook - [email protected] OR [email protected] (Hydrocharitaceae; WALES Limnocharitaceae; Lythraceae; National Botanic Garden of Wales Podostemaceae; Pontederiaceae) Dr Charles Stirton - [email protected] USA (Fabaceae; Hyacinthaceae; Rosaceae; Bishop Museum (Department of Natural Sciences) Verbenaceae) - Hawaii Dr George Staples - [email protected] (Convolvulaceae) Last updated 25 November 2000 ❏ 27th ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANISTS

14–17 January 2001 WEB SITE R.A.U. http://www.rau.ac.za/conf/saab2001 Auckland Park E-mail: [email protected] Johannesburg Tel: (011) 4892436 Fax: (011) 4892411 ADDRESS Rand Afrikaans University PLENARY SPEAKERS Department of Botany Prof. Ermias Dagne (University of Addis Ababa, PO Box 524 Ethiopia) Auckland Park Dr Anthony Bleecker (University of Wisconsin, 2006 USA) ❏

214 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 Regional News Update

NewsNews from from Angola Angola Lesotho’s Conservation Division and two people with a private interest. Certain recommendations Luanda Herbarium attended the AETFAT meeting were made pertaining this working session: held in Brussels with financial support from SABONET. 1. Lesotho’s Red Data List plants should be revised because the number might increase Two posters were presented. The poster titled every year. “Angolan Herbaria—New Prospects” focused on a brief historical review of the Angolan herbaria, 2. Vegetation survey studies need to be con- present status and the main activities carried out ducted countrywide and monitored annually. with SABONET funding. The new survey of 3. Photographs of Lesotho’s Red Data List plants medicinal plants with the SECOSUD (Service for should be taken during the survey. Environmental Conservation of Biodiversity and The Lesotho National Working Group decided to Development) project was also described. It rotate SABONET staff. Khotso Kobisi has moved referred to the contribution of the national her- from MASE to ROML, Khotso Sepamo from baria to conservation of botanical diversity and ROML to SNPH, and Lekhooa Fokothi from genetic resources in Angola. SNPH to MASE. Miss Puleng Matebesi was The other poster, with the title “Floristic Analysis recruited to replace Mr Motebang Molise who of Miombo Woodland in Huila—Angola”, fo- resigned from SABONET in July 2000. cused on field work carried out at Huila Province Computerisation of herbarium specimens in the in Angola. It dealt with floristic analysis of participating Lesotho herbaria is progressing Miombo vegetation. The main species encoun- well. Currently 15 monocotyledon and 31 dicoty- tered were listed, and the habitat preferences of ledon families have been fully computerised. dominant taxa were discussed. Moreover, degra- dation of the environment was briefly described SABONET-Lesotho has nominated Ms Bokang and some biological means for the recuperation of Theko for a BSc Hons course in systematics at the the degraded areas were formulated. University of the Orange Free State in South Africa. Other people from Lesotho who have Computerisation of our herbarium specimens is previously received fellowships from SABONET currently focused on the genera Abrus, Acacia, for further studies are Mr P. Mafa and Ms L. Brachystegia, Cassia, Crotalaria, Indigofera and Kose. ❏ Peltophorum. ❏ Puleng Matebesi Esperança da Costa

NewsNews from from Lesotho Lesotho News from Swaziland A Red Data List working session was held at Many exciting developments have taken place in ROML from 24 to 25 May 2000. Fifty-two plants SABONET-Swaziland in recent times. A new were classified according to IUCN Categories and appointment has been made, a connection for Criteria, although some were Data Deficient. The e-mail and Internet has been secured and a suc- session was attended by three people from our cessful Red Data List Workshop has been held. It Roma and Maseru herbaria, one person from is hoped that all these developments will propel

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 215 the work of the SABONET project in the country brought along) said it all. Sonja Loots asked Henk to greater heights. Dauth to take a picture of us—and to make us look glamorous. Ever-honest Henk simply ob- It is hereby announced that SABONET-Swaziland served that “it would be a bit difficult”. Well. has appointed Mr Comfort Nhleko as a Her- Bang goes his career as resident photographer. barium Data Specialist with effect from 1 Novem- Jokes aside, Henk is leaving us—he starts a new ber 2000. Mr Nhleko holds a Diploma in Agricul- career as a missionary to children next month— ture from the University of Swaziland. He and he will be sorely missed. We have threatened finished his diploma in 1998 and before joining to take him along on future field trips though, the herbarium he was employed as a temporary and this seems to be fine with him. teacher. With his appointment we hope the management of the herbarium and the PRECIS data- The second trip was aimed at assessing the status base work will get a tremendous boost. of Aloe pillansiiin Namibia. This was an extremely successful trip and you will be reading all about it A Red Data List Workshop was held on 15 Sep- soon. I might just mention that this species pre- tember 2000. Fourteen participants attended the fers only the highest mountains in the south—it one-day workshop and all 198 species in the Red took ages just to reach the things, never mind Data List for Swaziland were re-assessed. ❏ assess them. However, at the rate of one popula- Titus Dlamini tion a day, we think we did a reasonable job, and we are a lot fitter too, especially Henk and Sonja. Our SABONET vehicle was subjected to a major NewsNews from from Namibia Namibia test during the trip—we took it over MacMillan’s WIND has had a busy time since the last update Pass—and it passed (no pun intended) with in SABONET News. Data capture has progressed flying colours. Going up as well as down we let it well, and so have translations. The good progress drive itself in first gear, low range, releasing all made has prompted us to start checking and pedals and using the choke to adjust revs. This cleaning our data, and we feel that this has been a method works very well over extreme terrain, good exercise. Many queries have been ad- and it has the additional advantage of freeing up dressed, and a large number of quarter-degree part of your brain for making mental promises to records have been checked and added. Our data be a better person in future if you get through capture should be finished and the checking alive. I must confess I would have preferred not process well in hand by the end of next year—so to have been driving on alloy rims, yet if the for us the end is in sight. We are already reaping chariot can make it there, it can make it any- the rewards of having our data on tap—field trips where, as the song goes. As a reward for our are easier to plan, undercollected areas are high- courage we found another population of lighted and the database has made a big contribu- A. pillansii. tion towards the provision of a vegetation diver- Our plans for the near future include a trip to sity map for the Namibian Atlas Project. undercollected squares in the central-east Although our main field season is about February (Omaheke Region) of Namibia—but this will only to May, we undertook two trips recently—one to be in April next year. We are also looking forward Diamond Area No.1, and the other to an area just to getting our trainee, Silke Bartsch, back from west of that, but outside the restricted zone. The UCT. We hate being short of slaves. first trip was somewhat extreme as regards We welcome Stefan Siebert and wish all weather. We thought the wind could not possibly SABONETeers a very happy festive season and a get worse than it was at Pomona—until we great year ahead. ❏ reached Boegoeberg. Aus and Rosh Pinah had had snow, so temperatures were way down, and what we wore to bed at night (everything we had Coleen Mannheimer

216 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 In the April 2001 edition of News from Zimbabwe SABONET News…

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden of • SABONET Mid-Term Review Zimbabwe has published a brochure entitled Zimbabwe’s National Botanic Garden Map and Guide. • Living collections: National This brochure, which was sponsored by the Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe,and Botanic Garden Fund and Astra Limited, briefly the Botanic Gardens of Malawi describes all the sections of the Garden. The brochure has been complemented with the devel- • Southern African herbaria: opment of a nature trail, which highlights the National Herbarium, Namibia prominent plant species in each section. The • Regional Plant Red Data List brochure is being sold at a cost of Z$50.00. Other new developments include the purchase of a • The Paper Chase tractor as well as the construction of a workers’ kitchen complex that comprises a locker room, a • Regional News Update rest room and a kitchen. ❏ Soul Shava

Each edition of SABONET News is the result of a team effort, and the editors thank the following people and organisations who have contributed to, and helped in preparing, the 15 th issue of SABONET News: Filomena Barbosa Daan Botha Antoinette Burkhardt Memory Chandinyira Christopher Chapano Augustine Chikuni Esperança da Costa Mario Da Silva Sebsebe Demissew Titus Dlamini Linda Dobson Emsie du Plessis Hugh Glen Janice Golding Angela Gono Carina Haasbroek Anthony Hitchcock Brian Huntley Johan Hurter Samira Izidine Chris Kosolosky MacImage Gillian Maggs-Kölling Coleen Mannheimer Phelex Manyanga Anthony Mapaura Rina Marais Angelina Martins Puleng Matebesi Nina Mössmer Nancy Mugarisanwa David M. Mutigwa Mbaki Muzila Nozipo Nobanda Erina Nyamhanga Florence Nyirenda Ted Oliver Colin Paterson-Jones Patrick Phiri Estelle Potgieter Thulo Qhotsokoane Jan Rammeloo Nyasha Rukazhanga-Noko Annaniah Sakala Moffat Setshogo Soul Shava Yashica Singh Gideon Smith Ratidzayi Takawira Sandra Turck Vanilla! Design Studio Noel van Rooyen Erich van Wyk Mienkie Welman Rosemary Williams Carla Willis Christopher Willis John Winter Diane Wyse Jackson

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 217 For further information related to the SABONET project or contributions to SABONET News, please contact:

Stefan Siebert or Marthina Mössmer The Editors SABONET News National Botanical Institute Private Bag X101 Pretoria 0001 SOUTH AFRICA Tel: (27) 12 804-3200 Fax: (27) 12 804-5979/3211 Website: www.sabonet.org E-mail: [email protected]

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218 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 SABONET News IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER.

Printing: Business Print Centre

Typesetting: Vanilla! Design Studio

This newsletter was made possible through support provided by the GEF/ UNDP (SABONET is a GEF project implemented by the UNDP) and the Regional Centre for Southern Africa, Gabarone, Botswana, US Agency for International Development (Plot no. 14818, Lebatlane Road, Gabarone West, Extension 6, Gabarone), under the terms of the Grant No. 690-0283- A-00-5950. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Agency for International Develop- ment, the GEF/UNDP, the SABONET Steering Committe or the National Working Groups.

SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000 219 220 SABONET News Vol. 5 No. 3 December 2000