Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting van Deventer, G. , Bek, D. and Ashwell, A.

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Original citation: van Deventer, G. , Bek, D. and Ashwell, A. (2016) Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting. : Flower Valley Conservation Trust. http://www.flowervalley.org.za/wp- content/uploads/2016/05/BEK_FYNBOS_Guide_Web_English.pdf

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http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open FIELD GUIDE FOR WILD FLOWER HARVESTING

1 Contents Introducing the Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting 3 Glossary 4 Introducing The Field Guide 6 for Wild Flower Harvesting What is fynbos? 7 The Cape Floral Kingdom 7 Many people in the Overberg earn a living from the region’s wild flowers, known as South African 8 fynbos. Some pick flowers for markets to sell, some remove invasive alien plants, and Threats to fynbos 8 others are involved in conservation and nature tourism. It is important that people The value of fynbos 9 who work in the veld know about fynbos plants. This Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting describes 41 of the most popular types of fynbos plants that are picked from Fynbos and fire 9 our region for the wild flower market. It also provides useful information to support Classification of plants 9 sustainable harvesting in particular and fynbos conservation in general. Naming of plants 10 Picking flowers has an effect or impact on the veld. If we are not careful, we can Market for fynbos 10 damage, or even kill, plants. So, before picking flowers, it is important to ask: Picking fynbos with care 11 • What can be picked? The Sustainable Harvesting Programme 12 • How much can be picked? • How should flowers be picked? The SHP Code of Best Practice for Wild Harvesters 12 Ten principles of good harvesting 13 This guide aims to help people understand: The Vulnerability Index and the Red Data List 13 • the differences between the many types of fynbos plants that grow in the veld; and Know how much fynbos you have 14 • which fynbos plants can be picked, and which are scarce and should rather be Fynbos plants of the Agulhas Plain and beyond 14 left in the veld. This Field Guide is available in all three main languages of the , namely descriptions 15 , English and isiXhosa.

Flower Valley Conservation Trust 39 Authors: Gerhard van Deventer, Dr David Bek, Dr Alice Ashwell

Acknowledgements 41 Editors: Heather D’Alton, Ross Turner, Bronwyn Botha, Dr Alex Hughes, Professor Cheryl McEwan

Bibliography 42

This Field Guide is licensed under the following Creative Commons Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives

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Attribution — All copies (or quoted passages) state: Copyright ©2015 Gerhard van Deventer Sandberg Fynbos Reserve, Dr David Bek Newcastle University, Dr Alice Ashwell, Heather D’Alton Flower Valley Conservation Trust, Ross Turner University of KwaZulu-Natal, Bronwyn Botha Flower Valley Conservation Trust, Dr Alex Hughes Newcastle University, Professor Cheryl McEwan Durham University

NonCommercial – Unless authorised by authorised signatories of Newcastle University and the Flower Valley Conservation Trust commercial use by any organisation is prohibited.

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2 3 Glossary Glossary

In this Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting, botanical words and explanations have been simplified for Marsh [say: märsh] – A poorly drained area of land that is – A woody plant (bush) that is smaller than a tree. It educational purposes. People who work with fynbos use many words that are unfamiliar to the general public. If sometimes flooded. Marshes are often found at the edge of lakes, usually has several stems growing from the base, rather than a streams and estuaries. single trunk. you find a word that you do not understand in this book, you can look for its meaning in this section. Nectar [say: nek-tur] – A sweet liquid produced by plants Single-stemmed [say: sing-gul stemd] – Plants that grow from Alien [say: ay-lee-en] – This word describes plants and animals Ericoid [say: eh-rih-koid] – A word that describes small leaves (usually by flowers). Nectar is made by glands called nectaries a seed and have one main stem (like a tree) rather than many that do not live naturally in a given area. Alien plants and that feel tough and leathery. The edges of these leaves roll under [say: nek-tur-eez]. Nectar attracts insects, birds and other animals branches (like a shrub). that pollinate the flower while drinking the sweet liquid. animals are brought in to an area by people, sometimes by to form a narrow groove. This type of leaf is named after the Species [say: spee-sees or spee-sheez] – A group of animals or accident. Some are so successful in their new home that they leaves of plants in the Erica family. Pioneer plant [say: py-o-neer] – A plant that grows well in plants that look similar and can breed and produce fertile young. start to ‘invade’ the area and take over from the plants and Extinct [say: ek-stinkt] – A word that describes a type of plant soil that has been disturbed or cleared by ploughing, fire or animals that live there naturally. trampling. Pioneer plants are hardy because they need to grow Seedling [say: see-dling] – A very young plant that grows from a or animal that can no longer be found alive anywhere on Earth. single seed. Biodiversity [say: by-oh-die-vur-suh-tee] – ‘Bio’ means life, and It has died out completely. The process of going extinct is called in full sun and in poor soil. They ‘colonise’ an area and make it ‘diversity’ means different types. So ‘biodiversity’ means the ‘extinction’ [say: ek-stink-shun]. Some species are ‘extinct in the suitable for less hardy plants to grow. Sustainability [say: suh-stay-na-bih-luh-tee] – If an activity is different types of plants and animals in an area. The fynbos has wild.’ This means that they no longer survive in nature, but they Pollinate [say: poh-lih-nate] – To move pollen from one flower sustainable, it should be able to continue in the long term. To many different types (or species) of plants, so we say that it has may still be found in gardens. to another so that the plant can form seeds. Wind and animals harvest fynbos sustainably, we must pick with care so that the a ‘high level of biodiversity’. A ‘biodiversity hotspot’ is an area plants can continue to produce flowers year after year. Floret [say: floh-ret] – A simple flower that, together with others, (like birds and insects) are often involved in the process called where you find a high level of biodiversity and many rare and/ pollination [say: poh-lih-nay-shun]. or threatened plants or animals. forms a flower head known as an ‘’. A Vegetation [say: veh-ji-tay-shun] – Another word for ‘plant life’. ‘flower’ is actually a flower head made up of bracts surrounding Resprouter [say: ree-sprau-tur] – A plant that can re-grow after A biome can contain many different types of vegetation. For Biome [say: by-ohm] – A natural region like desert, forest, fynbos a centre made up of many florets. being burned in a veld fire. New branches and leaves grow from example, in the Fynbos Biome you will find different collections or grassland. The climate, soil and other conditions in a natural buds under the bark of woody branches, or from underground of fynbos plants growing in the mountains, near the sea, in region influence the plants and animals that can live there. Fynbos [say: fain-boss] – A type of veld found mainly in parts marshy areas and in different types of soil. of the Western Cape where the rain falls in winter. Very few tubers. Botany [say: boh-tah-nee] – The study of plants. A ‘botanist’ is a trees grow in the fynbos. Most of the plants are (bushes), Rootstock [say: root-stok] – This is the underground part of a person who studies plants. ‘Botanical’ means having something bulb plants and reeds. Fynbos got its name because many of the plant, made up of roots and an underground stem (or rhizome), to do with plants. bushes (bos) have small or ‘fine’ (fyn) leaves. which can produce stems and branches above the ground. In the Bract [say: brakt] – Part of a plant that looks like a leaf and is Greater Cape Floral Kingdom – There are six floral fruit industry, the rootstock is a stump with healthy roots on to found where the flower grows from the stem. In some plants like kingdoms on Earth. These are large areas where you find special which the farmer grafts a cutting of a high quality fruit tree. , the parts of the flower that look like petals are actually groups or families of flowering plants. The Cape Floral Kingdom bracts. is found mainly in the Western Cape. It is the smallest floral kingdom on Earth. Families of plants found in the Cape Floral Broadcast sowing [say: brawd-carst so-ing] – To sow seed by Kingdom include the Protea, Erica and Restio families. throwing handfuls of seed onto the ground. It is not advised to Plant Structure Diagram broadcast seed in fynbos veld, because the plants that are sown Habitat [say: hah-bih-tat] – The natural home or environment of Petal there can take over from the plants that grow there naturally. an animal, plant or other living thing. This will reduce biodiversity. Indigenous [say: in-dih-jih-nus] – This word describes a plant or Classification [say: klah-sih-fih-kay-shun] – The practice of animal that lives naturally in a given area or ecosystem. In other putting things into groups or classes based on how similar or words, people did not bring this plant or animal to the area. We Anther Stigma different they are to one another. Classification helps us to order can also say that the plant or animal is ‘native’ to that area. and make sense of large numbers of different items or species. Inflorescence [say: in-floh-reh-sense] – A group or cluster of Conservation [say: kon-sur-vay-shun] – The act of protecting flowers on one stem. It is also called a ‘flower head’. A Protea Filament and carefully managing nature and the environment. ‘flower’ is really an inflorescence made up of many smaller flowers called ‘florets’. These florets are surrounded by a ring Ecosystem [say: ee-ko-sis-tem] – A community made up of of bracts. Many other plants, e.g. aloes and agapanthus, also have plants, animals and smaller living things. They all live, feed, clusters of flowers, or . reproduce and interact in the same area or environment. Petal Invasive [say: in-vay-siv] – This word describes some alien Environment [say: in-vy-row-ment] – The surroundings or plants and animals that spread into the landscape and take over conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives. from indigenous plants and animals. Invasive species usually do better than indigenous species because they have no natural Endemic [say: en-dem-ik] – Types (species) of plants and animals pests or diseases in their new surroundings. Not all alien species that are found only in a particular area. They are not found are invasive. Some invasive alien plants that threaten fynbos are anywhere else in nature. Myrtle, Rooikrans, Port Jackson willow and Black Wattle. Stem

4 5 Fynbos Visitors to South Africa What is fynbos? often describe the

Fynbos is a type of vegetation or veld. The name comes from a Fynbos is predominantly found in nutrient poor, highly Western and Eastern Dutch word ‘fijnbosch’, meaning ‘fine bush’, and refers to how leached soils. This is another characteristic of fynbos, as very the plants look. Most fynbos plants have small (or fine) leaves few plants choose to live on such harsh soils. Fynbos has Cape provinces as some and are shrubs (or bushes) rather than trees. adapted to these soil conditions, allowing it to grow in areas where many other plants cannot. of the most beautiful The Fynbos Biome is a natural region that stretches from Vanrhynsdorp in the west to Grahamstown in the east, in a 100 Fires are common in fynbos during the hot, dry, windy to 200 kilometre-wide strip along the coast. This region has summers. In fact, fynbos needs to burn every 15 years or so. places on Earth. In a Mediterranean climate, with cold, wet winters and hot, dry Fire helps to renew the veld because it removes the old plants, summers. In most of the rest of South Africa, the rain falls in and the smoke from the fire causes seeds in the ground to fact, the southern summer and the winters are dry. Fynbos plants have to be tough germinate and grow into new plants. Cape around George is to survive the long summer droughts. known as the ‘Garden Route’ because of the The Cape Floral Kingdom stunning mountains and Scientists have divided the world into six regions called floral Nearly 9,000 different plant species grow here naturally. Fynbos valleys, which are mostly kingdoms (or floristic regions). Each of these regions is special is defined by these three very special groups or ‘plant families’: because of the types of plants that grow there. The Cape Floral Kingdom (or Cape Floristic Region) is the smallest floristic • [say: pro-tee-ay-see] – the Protea family covered in fynbos. region in the world. It has the highest number of different types • Ericaceae [say: eh-rih-kay-see] – the Erica family (or species) of plants of any floral kingdom. It is also the only • Restionaceae [say: reh-sti-oh-nay-see] – the Restio family. floral kingdom that is found entirely in one country. Sixty-nine percent of fynbos plant species grow only in this The main type of vegetation in the Cape Floral Kingdom is region, and nowhere else on Earth. We call these special types of fynbos. Other types of vegetation also grow in this region, e.g. plants ‘endemic’ species. renosterveld, Succulent , thicket and forest.

6 7 South Africa’s plants The value of fynbos

South Africa has a significant number of indigenous (or native) In the whole of South Africa: Fynbos is a valuable treasure for all South Africans. It brings The fynbos ecosystem also provides us with free services: plant species: about 20,000 in total. The Red List of South direct income when harvested for the flower markets or for African Plants (Raimondo et al. 2009) tells us which of these • 39 species of plants (or 0.2% of all plants) are already extinct; medicine. It also attracts millions of tourists from across the • Fynbos flowers provide food for honeybees when they are not species are under threat. • 2,569 species of plants (12.6%) are threatened with extinction; and world who come to appreciate it. Together fynbos harvesting being used to pollinate fruit trees. • 2,409 species of plants (11.8%) are of conservation concern. and tourism generate about R77 million per year, according to • Fynbos uses a lot less water than invasive alien plants like Nearly a quarter (or 25%) of South African plants are either: a study by Turpie et al (2003) which assessed the economic Black Wattle trees. Therefore, fynbos areas allow more water to value of the Cape Floristic Region. run off the land and into rivers and dams. • Threatened with extinction: this means that there are so few plants left that they are in danger of dying out (or becoming extinct); or • Of conservation concern: this means that people are worried that the numbers of these plants are decreasing. These plants may become threatened with extinction if we do not look Fynbos and fire after them now.

N Fynbos and fire work closely together. When a patch of fynbos fire. Fires should occur in the fynbos between 10 and 15 years. burns, the fire will provide the boost that allows dormant seeds But if fires burn more often, they could kill fynbos plants that to germinate. Also, many smaller fynbos bulbs, and plants that take a long time to mature. If fires do not burn often enough, die after a year or two, have the opportunity to flower and seed the fynbos plants could die before the fire reaches them. A SOUTH because the sunlight can now reach them and they can make combination of correctly timed wild fires and managed burns use of the abundant nutrients. When the plants next to them is optimal. grow tall again, they will then become dormant until the next

Clanwilliam The Cedarberg Classification of plants

There are millions of different plants in the world. It helps us • Classes are split up into Families, e.g. the Protea, Erica and Ceres to make sense of all these different plants if we put those that Restio plant families in the fynbos; look similar into groups, and name these groups (e.g. Geraniums, • Smaller groups of plants or animals that look fairly similar are lettuces, citrus fruits, Proteas). grouped into Genera (singular: ); and Villiersdorp • Each Genus usually contains a number of Species. These Cape Caledon In 1735, a Swedish botanist and medical doctor named Carolus Peninsula individual types of animals or plants can breed with others of Critically endangered Linnaeus [say: Ka-row-lus Lih-nay-us] developed a way to Bredasdorp classify natural things into groups according to how similar they the same type. Elim Endangered INDIAN OCEAN looked. He published his classification system in a book called Vulnerable Cape Systema Naturae, meaning ‘a system of nature’. After nearly 300 years we still use this system of classification 0kilometres 100 Agulhas Least Threatened and modern genetic techniques allow botanists to accurately Linnaeus divided natural things into the following groups: determine the family trees of known plant species.

• Three very large groups called Kingdoms: Animals, Plants and Minerals; Threats to fynbos • Kingdoms are divided into Classes, e.g. Vertebrates and Invertebrates in the animal kingdom;

About three quarters (or 75%) of South Africa’s threatened • 3,296 plant species are of conservation concern – plants live in the Fynbos Biome (Le Roux et al. 2012). Most 3,151 of these are endemic. of these plants are endemic to the fynbos. This means that they grow only in the Fynbos Biome and nowhere else on Earth. So, Fynbos plants are threatened by: those who work with the fynbos have a responsibility to look • destruction of their habitat – due to urban, agricultural and after these precious plants. industrial development; In the Fynbos Biome: • the spread of invasive alien plants; • inappropriate agricultural practices; • 1,805 plant species are threatened with extinction – 1,745 of these are endemic; and • unsustainable picking; • too frequent fires.

8 9 Naming of plants Picking fynbos with care

Linnaeus also developed a system that all scientists in the world Here are six scientific names (or binomials) that you will find in Here are some things to think about: use to name living things. We call this the ‘binomial system’ [say: this field guide. Each of them is the name of a different species: buy-no-me-al] because each species is given two (bi) names. • When fynbos flowers are removed from the veld, we prevent • Because fynbos is so valuable, it is protected by law (including The first is the genus name and the second is the species name. umbellata, platyspermum, Leucadendron these flowers from making seeds that will grow into new the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act The binomial is often written in italics and the binomial system xanthoconus, , , Protea plants. This is why we should always leave some flowers in the 2004). For example, it is illegal to plough or clear fynbos is based on ancient languages (Latin and Greek) that are no susannae. veld. veld that has never been cleared before (e.g. to plant another longer spoken. crop in its place). We need to know and respect the rules that From the names it is possible to see that some of these plants • If we do not know which plants can be picked, we could pick protect fynbos. An example of a binomial: are more closely related than others. For example, there are two rare species that are in danger of becoming extinct. species in the genus Leucadendron. These are both Conebushes • If we allow invasive alien plants to grow in the veld, they • It is illegal to pick fynbos without the correct licenses from (Tolbosse) so they have been put into one group. could shade the fynbos plants beneath them, and stop them the conservation authorities, such as CapeNature. These from growing. We should remove these alien plants from the licenses provide guidelines to help us look after the fynbos. ‘’ There are three species of the genus Protea. Most people know veld. • The first name tells us that it belongs to the group (or genus) what a Protea flower looks like, and all three of these plants have Protea. Protea-type flowers. Understanding how harvesting affects the veld helps us to look after the veld more effectively. After all, if we pick all the fynbos this year, there will be no fynbos to pick in the future. This can have a negative impact on livelihoods. • The second name, compacta, tells us what particular type or When you read the descriptions of the plants in this guide, you species of Protea it is. will discover that all six plants in this list belong to the same family: the Proteaceae [say: pro-tee-ay-see] or Protea family.

So, even though the flowers of an Aulax, a Leucadendron and a Sometimes the scientific name will tell you something about the Protea look quite different, these genera are similar enough to plant. In this case, the name ‘compacta’ tells us about the leaves be put into the same family group. that press together in a ‘compact’ way around the stem. In this Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting, we use the family, genus and species names of the plants. As you use this guide, you will become more familiar with the scientific names of plants. This will help you to develop an understanding of plant classification.

The market for fynbos

The wild flower harvesting industry has existed for over 100 Some bouquets are sold in South Africa in supermarkets, florist years, with dried flowers being exported to Germany as long shops and by informal traders. Many bouquets are exported, ago as the nineteenth century. Today about 700 harvesting mainly to Europe. The fresh fynbos industry exports most of the businesses operate in the Western Cape (Middelman 2012). The fynbos picked in the veld to Aalsmeer in the Netherlands. There fynbos industry is very important because it creates jobs and it is sold at flower auctions. income for many people. The dried-flower industry is also very important. Significant Flower pickers harvest fynbos from the veld or from flower volumes of dried, bleached or coloured fynbos are exported, orchards. They take the fresh flowers to pack-houses where especially to Germany. flower packers make them into bouquets. A typical bouquet will have both ‘focal flowers’ such as Proteas, and a number of stems of ‘greens’. Some focal flowers are harvested from the veld, but many are grown in flower orchards where the quality can be controlled more easily.

10 11 The Sustainable Harvesting Programme Ten principles of good harvesting

The Sustainable Harvesting Programme (SHP) was initiated in 2003 in order to protect both the fynbos and Picking teams should follow these Principles of Good 6. Make sure that you cut the stem at an angle. people’s jobs that depend on fynbos. Flower Valley Conservation Trust worked with CapeNature, botanists, Harvesting when picking flowers in the veld, as set out in 7. Do not leave litter (including twine) in the veld. the SHP Code of Best Practice for Wild Harvesters: market experts and the fynbos industry over a period of ten years to develop the SHP. 8. Only harvest what you need. Follow market criteria to 1. Always have a valid license from CapeNature. avoid rejects. 2. Use maps and know the areas where you are picking. 9. Dispose of plant waste properly. Do not dump it in piles The SHP provides fynbos harvesters and suppliers with an SHP 4. Support with field assessments and surveys of species in the veld. Toolkit to help them pick fynbos in a responsible manner. It also populations on each property. 3. Avoid damaging species that you are not harvesting. 10. Keep records of where and how much you have harvested. encourages harvesters to regularly check (or monitor) the fynbos 5. Opportunities for training and capacity building. 4. Never take more than 50% of this year’s flower heads veld, in order to better understand our long-term impacts on or stems from the plant. 6. Support with ongoing research. the veld. 5. Make sure that your secateurs are clean and sharp. 7. Access to a user-friendly database (or record of information) The SHP Toolkit includes: to enable more effective land management planning.

1. The Sustainable Harvesting Programme Code of Best Flower harvesters, fynbos suppliers and landowners may become Practice for Wild Harvesters. members of the SHP. 2. A Vulnerability Index, developed specifically for the SHP, The Vulnerability Index and the Red Data List which helps identify which species to pick. 3. Support for obtaining a floral license.

In the SHP Toolkit, the Vulnerability Index helps us to regulate South African Red List categories which flowers are picked from the veld for the market. It currently provides information on 150 fynbos species that exist Extinct (EX) in natural populations on the Agulhas Plain. Of these 71 are Extinct in the Wild (EW) harvested and 79 may have potential to be harvested. The Index, The SHP Code of Best Practice for Wild Harvesters which is based on biological criteria, provides a guideline as to Regionally Extinct (RE) how the long-term population of each species may be affected by harvesting. Each species is awarded a score on a scale of 0-11. Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CR PE) High scores indicate a greater risk that harvesting will affect the Critically Endangered (CR) Threatened The Sustainable Harvesting Programme (SHP) Code of 3. Comply with national and provincial regulations: Harvesters survival of that species. species Species of Endangered (EN) conservation Best Practice for Wild Harvesters provides guidelines on: and suppliers must obey all relevant laws: protect the veld, concern The Vulnerability Index tells us which fynbos plant species: pick fynbos legally, and help fynbos businesses sell to Vulnerable (VU) • How to pick fynbos with care; markets legally. 1. we can pick; • Social and labour standards – to improve livelihoods; Near Threatened (NT) 4. Have a property management plan: Fynbos suppliers, 2. we can pick, but need to monitor because they • Complying with South Africa’s laws. harvesters and landowners need a plan to make sure that they may become more threatened; and Critically Rare care for the fynbos at every stage of the business. 3. we should not pick because harvesting poses too Increasing risk of extinction Rare The Code of Best Practice has four principles that protect The Code of Best Practice also promotes ethical labour practice great a risk to their survival. Declining the environment: and improved livelihoods. The South African National Botanical Institute (SANBI) Data Deficient – Insufficient Information (DDD) 1. Conserve biodiversity: Fynbos plants are protected by law, oversees the production of the Red Data List of threatened especially threatened species. Plants must be given time to plant species, which includes fynbos. The Red Data List states Data Deficient – Taxonomically Problematic (DDT) grow again after picking. the conservation status of plant species and draws attention to Least Concern (LC) 2. Use wild fynbos sustainably: Pickers must leave enough the degree to which individual species are under threat within the country as a whole. The Vulnerability Index is used in fynbos in the veld to allow the plants to recover after Extinct conjunction with the Red Data List by regulatory authorities, harvesting and produce new plants. Threatened such as CapeNature. Other categories of conservation concern The Vulnerability Index differs from the Red Data List in two Other categories significant ways: (i) it focuses specifically on the risks posed by Source: http://redlist.sanbi.org/redcat.php harvesting; and (ii) it focuses only on natural species populations found on the Agulhas Plain. Variations in Red Data List and Vulnerability Index scores are explained by these differences in focus.

12 13 Plants Know how much fynbos you have Here are 41 fynbos species which are

In the SHP Toolkit, the Resource Base Assessment enables This assessment allows harvesters, suppliers and landowners to commonly harvested fynbos harvesters, suppliers and landowners to work out how know what and how much can be picked in a particular area. much fynbos can be harvested on a certain piece of land. It also allows them to measure how the types and the numbers on the Agulhas Plain. of plants change over a period of time. This gives them a better understanding of how fynbos harvesting may or may not be changing the structure of the veld. Important botanical information is provided Fynbos plants of the Agulhas Plain and beyond about each of these species along with

The rest of this Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting describes 41 species (or types) of fynbos plants that grow information about on the Agulhas Plain. These species were selected as they are the most commonly harvested species. Many of why they are harvested. these plants also grow in other parts of the Cape Floral Kingdom. They are all harvested for flowers or greens.

The Agulhas Plain is a biodiversity hotspot. Many of the plants The 41 indigenous plant species belong to eight plant families. The Agulhas Plain is a that grow here are vulnerable (at risk) because of invasive alien The plants are grouped first by their family in alphabetical order, plants, urban and agricultural development, and harvesting. starting with the and ending with the Rutaceae. biodiversity hotspot but Many plants are endemic (unique) to the area. If they die out They are then listed by their genus and species names, in here, they cannot be replaced. alphabetical order. many of the species are There are also some extremely rare types of fynbos vegetation Each plant species has a description and a photograph to help you that grow on different soils, e.g. sand fynbos, limestone fynbos, recognise it in the veld. You will find out where each species is vulnerable, so must be and critically endangered Elim Ferricrete fynbos. Highly most likely to grow. You will also learn which species are common threatened renosterveld vegetation also grows on the Agulhas and can be harvested, and which are threatened and should be left managed carefully. Plain. The natural vegetation in this area needs protection. in the veld.

14 15 Plant descriptions Plant descriptions

Family Genus & Species Each of the plant descriptions includes:

1 Asteraceae prolifera • A colour photograph of the flower; 2 Stoebe plumosa • The name of the family to which the plant belongs; 3 vestita • The scientific name of the plant (the genus and species); • Common names of the plant; 4 abrotanoides • A description of each plant: its structure, height and width, what the leaves and flowers look like, and how it grows; 5 • Where the plant grows: the parts of the country; 6 albiflora • How the plant is used, e.g. picked for the fresh- or dried-flower industries; 7 Brunia laevis • Conservation information, as listed in the Red Data List of South African Plants (which assesses the status of South Africa’s 8 Brunia noduliflora entire flora): threats to the survival of this species. 9 radiata

10 Ericaceae Erica coccinea A colour label to tell you if the plant is common or threatened, as per the Red Data List: 11 Erica imbricata 12 Erica plukenetii • Green label – this plant is common (least concern), so it may be picked for the market, with the relevant CapeNature licences. • Orange label – this species is near threatened. It can be picked, with authorisation from CapeNature. 13 Proteaceae Aulax umbellata • Orange label – this species is declining. It can be picked with authorisation from CapeNature. 14 • Red label – this species is vulnerable. It can be picked, with authorisation from CapeNature. 15 • Red label – this species is endangered, and should not be picked. 16 Leucadendron linifolium • Red label – this species is critically endangered, so it should not be picked. 17 Leucadendron meridianum 18 Leucadendron muirii 19 Leucadendron platyspermum The Vulnerability Index (VI) scoring of relevant plants: 20 Leucadendron rubrum • 1 – 4: Least Vulnerable; 21 Leucadendron salicifolium • 5 – 6: Species that should be monitored; 22 • 7 – 8: Species that are a priority to monitor; 23 cordifolium • 9 – 11: No-go species that should not be picked. 24 Leucospermum truncatulum 25 cucullatus 26 Protea compacta Nb. Not all the species have Vulnerability Index scores. This is because most of these species are not found naturally on the Agulhas Plain. However, they may be present and be harvested if they have been artificially sown. 27 Protea cynaroides 28 29 Plant attributes key: 30 Protea neriifolia 31 32 Plant Height Usage 33 Protea scolymocephala 34 35 Protea sulphurea Flowering Season Conservation Status 36

37 Restionaceae Thamnochortus insignis

38 Rhamnaceae Phylica ericoides Reproduction Geographical Range

39 Rubiaceae Anthospermum aethiopicum

40 Rutaceae Acmadenia heterophylla Where Abundance 41 Agathosma betulina

16 17 Phaenocoma prolifera vestitaSyncarpha Phaenocoma prolifera Syncarpha vestita Family: Family: Asteraceae – the Daisy Family Asteraceae – the Daisy family Genus: Genus: Phaenocoma Syncarpha – meaning ‘fruits are united’ Species: Species: prolifera – meaning ‘to grow in number rapidly’ vestita – meaning ‘covered’ or ‘clothed’ Common name: Common name: Cape everlasting, Rooisewejaartjie, Strooiblommetjie Sewejaartjie, Strooiblommetjie, Matras Sewejaartjie

Vulnerability Index Score: 4 Vulnerability Index Score: 5

1.2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 90cm What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Phaenocoma prolifera is a woody Phaenocoma prolifera is visited by a It is used in the dried-flower Syncarpha vestita is an upright Syncarpha vestita is visited by a In the past, the flower heads of September to March shrub with a single stem that grows variety of insect species (generalist industry. November to January shrub with a single stem and many variety of insect species (generalist Syncarpha vestita were used to stuff up to 1.2 metres tall. insect-pollination system). branches. It grows up to 90 cm insect-pollination system) and mattresses. This was one of the Conservation Seeder, insects Seeder, insects tall. The branches, twigs and leaves regenerates from seed. first fynbos plants to be exported It has tiny, densely-packed grey- Where is it found? [Red List: Least Concern] are covered with tiny, grey, woolly from South Africa to Europe in green leaves on short side branches. Where is it found? to It grows in acid sand from the Phaenocoma prolifera has a single Cape Peninsula to George hairs, which feel soft. the late 1800s. It is currently used in the dried-flower industry. Bredasdorp What are the flowers like? Cape Peninsula to Bredasdorp. It stem that does not resprout and The upright leaves are up to 75 It grows in groups of thousands is found from sea level to 1500 therefore new plants must grow of plants. It grows on sandy, well- The flower heads are bright pink Dried industry mm long and 8 mm wide. Conservation metres above sea level. from seed. It can easily be killed drained flats and slopes between [Red List: Least Concern] Dried industry and feel papery. The flower fades to if it is picked when too young, What are the flowers like? the Cape Peninsula and George. white as it ages. like all plants that regenerate from Least concern Syncarpha vestita is not threatened. Least concern seeds after fire. The flower head is shiny white. It flowers between September and Several overlapping bracts surround March. Widespread a small cluster of tiny purple florets. It flowers from November to Common January. Stoebe plumosa Berzelia abrotanoides Stoebe plumosa Berzelia abrotanoides Family: Family: Asteraceae – the Daisy family Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Genus: Genus: Stoebe Berzelia Species: Species: plumosa – meaning ‘feathery’ abrotanoides – meaning ‘looks like a wormwood plant’ Common name: Common name: Slangbos Bloed kol-kol

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 4

1m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 1.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Stoebe plumosa is a shrub with many Stoebe plumosa is visited by a It is used in the fresh- and dried- Berzelia abrotanoides is a resprouting Berzelia abrotanoides is visited Berzelia abrotanoides is a popular April to June branches. The plant looks “woolly”. variety of insects although it flower industries. It is also used as April to October shrub that grows up to 1.5 metres by a variety of insect species fresh cut-flower. It grows up to one metre tall. The may also be wind-pollinated. It medicine, although little medical tall. It has tiny, needle-like leaves. (generalist insect-pollination Seeder, insects, wind light grey leaves are very small, regenerates from seed. research has been done into Seeder, insects and system). The majority of plants Conservation What are the flowers like? [Red List: Least Concern] are covered with woolly hairs and supposed healing properties. re-sprouter in a given generation resprout Cape Floristic Region do not have an obvious leaf-stalk Where is it found? after fire although a small number Conservation The flower heads are creamy-white It is not threatened at present. attaching them to the branches. It is found all over the Cape Clanwilliam to Port balls that grow in clusters. Each of seedlings will germinate too, [Red List: Least Concern] quickly forming rootstocks from Fresh and dried What are the flowers like? Floristic Region. The plants often Elizabeth flower head is supported by a red industries, medicine grow in dense groups (stands). Stoebe plumosa is not threatened. swollen stem. The plant flowers which they can resprout after the The flowers are light brown or from April to October. next fire. Fresh industry Least concern purple and grow at the end of the Where is it found? longest stems. The plants flower between April and June. Least concern It is found in marshy areas Widespread between Clanwilliam and Port Widespread Elizabeth. Common Localised 18 19 Berzelia lanuginosa laevisBrunia Berzelia lanuginosa Brunia laevis Family: Family: Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Genus: Genus: Berzelia Brunia Species: Species: lanuginosa – meaning ‘woolly’ laevis – meaning ‘smooth’ Common name: Common name: Kol-kol Silver Brunia

Vulnerability Index Score: 6 Vulnerability Index Score: 6

What does the plant look like? The plants flower from June to How is it used? What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2m November. 90cm Berzelia lanuginosa is a shrub with It is mostly used in the fresh Brunia laevis is a shrub with many Brunia laevis is visited by a variety It is used a lot in the fresh- and June to November a single stem and long, slender How does it reproduce? flower industry as a green filler. August to January stems. It grows up to 90 cm tall. of insect species (generalist insect- dried-flower industries. It attracts branches. It grows up to two The plants have small, overlapping pollination system). After fire the high prices in the export market. Berzelia lanuginosa is visited by a Conservation Seeder, insects metres tall. The leaves are small and Seeder, insects grey leaves. plants resprout from a permanent needle-like. variety of insect species (generalist [Red List: Least Concern] woody rootstock. Conservation insect-pollination system) and (resprout after fire) What are the flowers like? [Red List: Least Concern] This species is not threatened Clanwilliam to What are the flowers like? regenerates from seed. Where is it found? Bredasdorp but the wet habitats where Caledon to Bredasdorp The flower heads consist of Brunia laevis is not currently The flower heads are small, lime- Where is it found? it grows, e.g. stream banks, compact, creamy-white balls up to It grows on mid- to lower threatened, although sustainable green balls. When young, they seepage areas and wetlands, can 2 cm in diameter. The plants flower mountain slopes between Caledon agricultural practices are Fresh industry radiate (or spread out) from the It grows only in the Western be threatened by unlawful and Fresh and dried from August to January. and Bredasdorp. encouraged when working with ends of the main branches. As Cape, between Clanwilliam and damaging agricultural practices industries Brunia laevis, to ensure ongoing Least concern they ripen, the balls change to a Bredasdorp. like ploughing, trampling (by protection of the species. maroon-red colour. In full flower It grows on sandy flats and slopes people or livestock) and draining Least concern Widespread the balls are covered with white of wetlands. pollen threads that look like bits of in areas called seepages, where the wool. This gives the plant its species soil is always moist. Restricted Localised name (lanuginosa comes from the Latin word for wool). Localised Berzelia albiflora noduliflora Brunia

Family:Berzelia albiflora BruniaFamily: noduliflora Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Genus: Genus: Berzelia Brunia Species: Species: albiflora – meaning ‘white flowers’ noduliflora – meaning ‘the flower is like a small knot’ Common name: Common name: Knopbossie, Koffiebossie, Stompies, Coffee-scented Brunia Knopbossie (Note: this species has been renamed: the old name was Brunia albiflora.) (Note: this species has been renamed. The old name was Brunia nodiflora.)

Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed Vulnerability Index Score: 2

3m What does the plant look like? smells like coffee. It flowers in How is it used? 50cm-1.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? and Elim. It also occurs on the Van March and April. Stadens Mountains and around Berzelia albiflora is a tall, slender It is harvested mostly for the fresh Brunia noduliflora is a shrub with Brunia noduliflora is visited by a Uitenhage. March, April shrub with a single stem and How does it reproduce? flower industry. March to June many stems. It grows from 50 cm variety of insect species (generalist many branches. It can grow up to to 1.5 metres tall. The branches are insect-pollination system). After How is it used? Seeder, insects three metres tall. The long, slender Berzelia albiflora is visited by a Conservation Seeder, insects covered with tiny hairs. Many small fire the plants resprout from a variety of insect species (generalist [Red List: Least Concern] It is a popular fresh or dried cut- branches have a dense covering of (resprout after fire) (2–3 mm long), needle-like leaves permanent woody rootstock. Hottentots Holland leaves. The beautiful dark green insect-pollination system) and lie flat against the branches. flower. regenerates from seed. Current Red List data indicates a Where is it found? to the Klein River leaves make the shrub look like a stable population trend, although South-western and Conservation pine tree. The leaves have black tips What are the flowers like? Mountains Where is it found? this species could become Southern Cape Brunia noduliflora is endemic (or [Red List: Least Concern] and are covered with delicate hairs. threatened by invasive alien plants. The flower heads consist of grey limited) to the south-western and They grow up to 12 mm long. It grows in dense groups in damp balls approximately 10 mm across. southern Cape. It grows in full This species is not threatened. Fresh industry areas from the Hottentots Holland Fresh and dried industries What are the flowers like? The large, knobbly, greyish-brown sun on rocky sandstone slopes. It to the Klein River Mountains. fruiting heads stay on the bush for is common on hills and mountain Least concern The flower heads are found at the Least concern several years. It flowers from March slopes from the Olifants River end of stalks about 40 mm long to June. Mountains to Piketberg, the Cape and 15 mm wide. The flower heads Widespread Peninsula, Jonkershoek, Hottentots form attractive, pale, silver-grey Holland Mountains, and the clusters. When in flower, the plant Common Kogelberg through to Hermanus 20 21 Staavia radiata imbricata Erica

Staavia radiata Family:Erica imbricata Family: Ericaceae – the Erica family Bruniaceae – the Brunia family Genus: Genus: Erica Staavia Species: Species: imbricata – meaning ‘overlapping like roof tiles’, radiata – meaning ‘to spread out from the centre’ referring to the floral leaves Common name: Common name: Glasogies, Altydbossie Kêr-kêr

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 4

90cm What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 80cm What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Staavia radiata is a shrub with Staavia radiata is visited by a variety It is used as a filler in bouquets. Erica imbricata is an upright shrub Erica imbricata is visited by a variety It is a cut-flower that is in demand September to December many stems and slender branches. of insect species (generalist insect- June to December with branches that produce many of insect species (generalist insect- in the fresh flower industry. It grows up to 90 cm tall. It has pollination system). After fire the Conservation flowers. It grows up to 80 cm tall. pollination system). The tiny seeds needle-like leaves. plants resprout from a rootstock. [Red List: Least Concern] are released once flowers have Conservation Seeder, insects Seeder, insects What are the flowers like? [Red List: Least Concern] Staavia radiata is not threatened dried. (resprout after fire) What are the flowers like? Where is it found? because it resprouts vigorously Gifberg to Port Elizabeth The white or pink flowers are Where is it found? This species is not threatened Malmesbury to Riversdale The small flower heads grow singly It grows on sandy plains and after fire. However, it can become about 3 mm long and hang but some of the habitats where or in small clusters at the tips of the low slopes from Malmesbury to locally threatened if fynbos veld Fresh industry downwards. The male parts of the It grows on dry coastal flats and it grows are under threat, e.g. stems. They look like daisies, with Riversdale. is ploughed illegally or if veld is flower (anthers) hang out of the mountain slopes from Gifberg to seasonally wet areas. Fresh industry white bracts surrounding a small burnt too frequently. flower head. This species is well Port Elizabeth. group of florets. Least concern known among flower pickers as Least concern ‘kêr-kêr’ because of the sound the Widespread plants make when they are brushed Widespread against. The plant flowers from June Common to December. Common Erica coccinea Erica plukenetii Erica

Erica coccinea Family:Erica plukenetii Family: Ericaceae – the Erica family Ericaceae – the Erica family Genus: Genus: Erica Erica Species: Species: plukenetii coccinea – meaning ‘red’ or ‘scarlet’ Common name: Common name: Hangertjie Hangertjies, Vlakteheide Vulnerability Index Score: E. plukenetii subsp. plukenetii – 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 2 E. plukenetii subsp. lineata – 8

1.2m What does the plant look like? Flower colour may be red, orange, Where is it found? 1m What does the plant look like? parts of the flower) hang out of the How is it used? yellow or green. The male parts of flower. Flower colour may be red, Erica coccinea is a stiff shrub with the flower (brown filaments and It grows from the Cederberg in Erica plukenetii is an upright shrub white, pink, green or yellow and It is used as a fresh cut-flower. Throughout the year Throughout year with a single stem that grows up a single stem and many branches. anthers) hang out of the flower tube. the west, to the Cape Peninsula, sometimes the mouth of the flower to one metre tall with needle-like Conservation It grows up to 1.2 metres tall and Flowering occurs throughout the Agulhas Plain and the Kamanassie may be a different colour to the leaves that curve upwards. Four [Red List: Least Concern] Seeder, birds (and flowers may be red, orange, yellow year depending on locality. Mountains near George. It grows Seeder, birds tube. Flowering occurs throughout re-sprouts after fire) or green. Two sub-species (subsp.) on sandy flats near the coast and subspecies occur on the Agulhas the year depending on locality. E. plukenetii subsp. plukenetii is not occur on the Agulhas Plain: Erica How does it reproduce? on rocky mountain outcrops Cape Floristic Region Plain: 1.) Erica plukenetii subsp. threatened / E. plukenetii subsp. How does it reproduce? coccinea subsp. Coccinea, which grows throughout this area. plukenetii on Sandstone soils; 2.) bredensis is not threatened / E. Cederberg in the west, Erica coccinea is pollinated by Erica plukenetii subsp. bredensis on in Sandstone soils; and Erica coccinea Fresh industry All subspecies of Erica plukenetii on plukenetii subsp. penicellata is not to the Cape Peninsula, Sunbirds. Plants can either be How is it used? Limestone and lateritic soils; 3.) subsp. Uniflora, which grows on the Agulhas Plain are pollinated threatened. reseeders or resprouters and it is Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata on Agulhas Plain and the Limestone or in coastal sands. This plant is used in the fresh by Sunbirds. The tiny seeds are often possible to find both forms Least concern/ Sandstone; and (4.) Erica plukenetii Kamanassie Mountains flower industry. released once flowers have dried. [Red List: EN pending review] What are the flowers like? in a single sub-population, thus threatened subsp. lineata which only grows it is important that each form be in neutral soils associated with Where is it found? E. plukenetii subsp. lineata is Hanging tube-like flowers grow in Conservation Fresh industry harvested accordingly. The tiny Limestone formations between threatened and should not be [Red List: Least Concern] Widespread It is commonly found on mountain threes at the ends of short branches. seeds are released once flowers Gansbaai and Soetanysberg. harvested. slopes throughout most of the Cape Least concern The flowers are 6-17 mm long have dried. Neither subspecies of Erica coccinea and may be smooth or sticky. is threatened. Common What are the flowers like? Floristic Region, although the different subspecies often only grow Widespread It has tube-shaped flowers that hang in specific soil types. 22 downwards. The anthers (the male 23 Localised Aulax umbellata Leucadendron laureolum Aulax umbellata Leucadendron laureolum Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Aulax – the Featherbushes Leucadendron – the Conebushes Species: Species: umbellata – meaning ‘like an umbrella’ laureolum Common name: Common name: Krismisblom, Broad-leaf Featherbush Louriertolbos, Golden Sunshinebush

Vulnerability Index Score: 2 Vulnerability Index Score: 3

2.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Aulax umbellata is a shrub with Aulax umbellata is visited by a The female flowers are used in Leucadendron laureolum is a big Leucadendron laureolum is insect- It is used in both the fresh- and September to February a single stem that grows up to variety of insect species (generalist both the fresh- and dried-flower June to August shrub that grows up to two pollinated. Seeds are kept in the dried-flower industries. It is one of 2.5 metres tall. The leaves have a insect-pollination system). Female industries. metres tall. The male bush has a female cones until after the next the parents of popular commercial rounded tip. They are up to 110 flowers ripen and dry to form a rounded shape. The female bush fire, when they are released. hybrids like ‘Chameleon’ and Seeder, insects The male flower wilts quickly Seeder, insects and mm long and 15 mm wide. cup-shaped, woody structure that re-sprouter is less symmetrical and has fewer ‘Safari Sunset’. holds the seeds for several years after being picked and is therefore branches. The leaves are up to 95 Where is it found? Kogelberg to Still Bay What are the flowers like? not suitable as a cut-flower. Conservation before releasing them. mm long and 20 mm wide. The It grows from the Cape Peninsula Cape Peninsula to bracts are slightly longer than the [Red List: Least Concern] Fresh and dried Male and female flowers grow on Where is it found? Conservation to Potberg and inland to the Paarl different plants. When the plant is in [Red List: Near Threatened] Potberg, inland to Paarl rest of the leaves. Mountain. Leucadendron laureolum is not industries threatened. flower, the leaves change colour to It grows in well-drained, coastal What are the flowers like? purple-brown. The female flowers sandy soils from Kogelberg to Aulax umbellata is listed as Near Fresh industry Near threatened are delicate, creamy yellow. Plants Still Bay. Threatened on the SANBI Red The elongated cones are 40 mm flower from September to February. List of South African Plants. It Least concern long and 30 mm wide. Seeds Widespread is threatened by invasive alien remain in the cone until the plant plants, afforestation, and in some Widespread is burned in a fire. The flower Common instances Protea and vineyard heads have a slightly fruity smell. cultivation and urbanisation. Localised Plants flower from June to August. Leucadendron coniferum Leucadendron linifolium Leucadendron coniferum Leucadendron linifolium Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Leucadendron – the Conebushes Species: Species: coniferum – means ‘producing cones’ linifolium – meaning ‘leaves like flax’ Common name: Common name: Duinegeelbos, Geelbos, Dune Conebush Line-leaf Conebush

Vulnerability Index Score: 5 Vulnerability Index Score: 4

4m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Leucadendron coniferum is an upright It has been found that Leucadendron It is used as a filler in bouquets. Leucadendron linifolium is a compact Leucadendron linifolium is insect- It is used widely in both the fresh- August and September shrub with a single stem. It grows coniferum is wind-pollinated. Seeds September and October shrub with a single stem. It grows pollinated. Seeds are kept in the and dried-flower industries. up to four metres tall. The oblong- are kept in the female cones until Conservation up to two metres tall. The small, female cones until after the next Seeder, wind shaped leaves are slightly twisted after the next fire. [Red List: Vulnerable] Seeder, insects flat, slightly twisted leaves are 5-30 fire, when they are released. Conservation and have a sharp tip. The leaves are mm long and 1-3 mm wide. [Red List: Vulnerable] Where is it found? Leucadendron coniferum is threatened Where is it found? Agulhas Plain, coastal 80 mm long and 9 mm wide. by invasive alien trees, degradation, Cape Peninsula and Leucadendron linifolium is listed as What are the flowers like? loss of habitat, pollution and vulnerable because many of the areas of the Cape What are the flowers like? It grows in neutral sand in fynbos Overberg It is found in seasonal wetlands Peninsula, and Betty’s Bay that is rich in plants from the unsustainable harvesting in certain The male flowers grow slightly throughout the Cape Peninsula wetlands where it used to grow The cones turn red as they mature Protea family. It grows on the instances. Fresh and dried above the bush on stems that and Overberg. have been destroyed. It is also and later become green. They are Agulhas Plain, in coastal areas of have very few leaves. The female threatened by invasive alien plants, Fresh industry kept on the shrub. The bracts are the Cape Peninsula, and around industries flowers grow in the upper branches and over- yellow. Plants flower during August Betty’s Bay. surrounded by a collar of bracts. harvesting. Vulnerable and September. Vulnerable Plants flower during September and October. Widespread Widespread

Localised Localised 24 25 Leucadendron meridianum Leucadendron platyspermum Leucadendron meridianum Leucadendron platyspermum Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Leucadendron – the Conebushes Species: Species: meridianum – meaning ‘midday’ platyspermum – meaning ‘plate-seed’ Common name: Common name: Geelbos, Limestone Conebush Platy, Platy Star, Tol, Tolle, Plate-seed Conebush

Vulnerability Index Score: 7 Vulnerability Index Score: 7

2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 1.7m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Leucadendron meridianum is a shrub Leucadendron meridianum is visited It is used in both the fresh- and Leucadendron platyspermum is an Leucadendron platyspermum is insect- Green, unripe cones are harvested July and August with a single stem. It grows up to by a variety of insect species dried-flower industries. September upright bush with a single stem. It pollinated. Seeds remain in the for the European Christmas two metres tall. The narrow leaves (generalist insect-pollination grows up to 1.7 metres tall. cones until after fire and then they market. When ripe and brown, the Conservation Seeder, insects are 40 mm long and 7 mm wide. system). The seeds are flat, have Seeder, insects are released. cones are harvested for the dried- They are slightly twisted near the wings and are kept inside female [Red List: Least Concern] The leaves of the male plant are flower industry. very bright yellow. Leaves of the Where is it found? Gouritz River mouth to stem and have short, silver hairs and cones for several years after Leucadendron meridianum is listed Kleinmond to Villiersdorp a sharp red tip. flowering. female plant are light lime-green. Conservation the Agulhas Plain as not being threatened on the and the Agulhas Plain The leaves are usually up to 70 mm It is found from Kleinmond to [Red List: Vulnerable] SANBI Red List of South African What are the flowers like? Where is it found? long and 13 mm wide. Villiersdorp in the west, and to Plants. However, concerns remain the Agulhas Plain in the south. It Leucadendron platyspermum is Fresh and dried The bracts are bright yellow and the It is endemic (limited) to because much of its habitat has Fresh and dried What are the flowers like? grows in both sand and gravel. listed as ‘Vulnerable’. It has been industries cones are covered in tiny, silver hairs. Limestone fynbos. It grows in been destroyed. industries broadcast-sown on a large scale Plants flower during July and August. large groups from the Gouritz The ripe dark brown cone is very in natural veld in the Southern Least concern River mouth to the Agulhas Plain. Vulnerable big: up to 50 mm long and 40 Overberg and Agulhas Plain. mm wide. Plants flower during This could have an impact on the September. Restricted Restricted diversity.

Localised Localised Leucadendron muirrii Leucadendron rubrum Leucadendron muirii Leucadendron rubrum Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Leucadendron – the Conebushes Species: Species: muirii rubrum – meaning ‘red’ Common name: Common name: Kruiphout, Silver-ball Conebush Spinning Top

Vulnerability Index Score: 7 Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed

2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2.5m What does the plant look like? Female flower heads form a cone How is it used? about 40 mm long. The bracts Leucadendron muirii is a shrub with Leucadendron muirii is wind- It is used as a filler in bouquets. Leucadendron rubrum is an upright that form the cone are a colourful The cones are used in the dried- November and a single stem and few branches. It pollinated. Seeds remain in the August and September shrub with a single stem that grows flower industry. Conservation mix of yellow, green, blue and red. December grows up to two metres tall. cones until after fire and then they up to 2.5 metres tall. The male The yellow stigmas (female parts) are released. [Red List: Least Concern] Seeder, wind plants are bushier and have smaller Conservation The leaves are long, fleshy and stick out at the top of the cone in [Red List: Least Concern] Leucadendron muirii is not leaves than the female plants. Seeder, wind thick and have a rounded tip. The Where is it found? a tuft. Plants flower in August and threatened. Cape Floristic Region Leaves are covered with silver- September. This species is listed as not young leaves are needle-like, but white hairs when soft and young. Bredasdorp and the older leaves grow to 40 mm long It grows on limestone soils from threatened in the SANBI Red List Bredasdorp and the Agulhas Plain Dried industry Older leaves lose most of the hairs How does it reproduce? of South African Plants. Even so, Agulhas Plain to Still Bay and 13 mm wide. and are green-grey in colour. to Still Bay. Leucadendron rubrum is wind- there are concerns surrounding What are the flowers like? the species, and there have Dried industry Least concern What are the flowers like? pollinated. Seeds are kept in the cones until after the next fire. been suggestions that it requires The flowers have brown bracts with Male flower heads are very small monitoring. Least Concern a green centre. They smell like yeast (about 11 mm long) and bright Where is it found? and they flower during November yellow. Restricted and December. It grows on mountain slopes throughout the Cape Floristic Localised Region at altitudes from 250 to 1500 metres. 26 27 Leucadendron salicifolium cordifolium Leucospermum

Family:Leucadendron salicifolium Leucospermum cordifolium Proteaceae – the Protea family Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Species: salicifolium – meaning ‘leaves like a willow’ Species: cordifolium Common name: Geelbos, Strictum, Common Stream Conebush Common name: (Note: “Leucadendron strictum” is the old name for Leucadendron salicifolium. Luise, Luisies, Speldekussing, Pincushion See Leucospermum truncatulum for a similar misnomer used in the cut-flower trade.) Vulnerability Index Score: 5 Vulnerability Index Score: 4

How is it used? 3m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 1.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? Leucadendron salicifolium is an Leucadendron salicifolium is wind- It is used in both the fresh- and Leucospermum cordifolium is a Leucospermum cordifolium is They are picked for the fresh August to January July to September upright shrub with a single stem pollinated. Seeds are kept in the dried flower industries. rounded shrub with a single stem pollinated by Sugarbirds and flower market only. that grows up to three metres tall. cones until after the plant is killed and horizontal branches (the Sunbirds. Seeds are released 1-2 Conservation Seeder, birds Conservation Seeder, wind by fire. branches stick straight out from the months after flowering. Its leaves have no hairs and are [Red List: Least Concern] stem). It grows up to 1.5 metres [Red List: Near Threatened] slightly sickle-shaped. They are up Where is it found? Kogelberg, Groenlandberge, Where is it found? tall. The leaves are up to 80 mm This species is listed as ‘Near Olifants River to the to 60 mm long and 5 mm wide. Leucadendron salicifolium is not Houwhoek, Caledon long and 20 mm wide. The young Threatened’ on the SANBI Langeberg Mountains at The plant is mid-green in colour. It grows naturally on stream threatened, but the habitats in It grows naturally in rocky, banks and in wet places from the which it grows, i.e. stream and , Kleinrivierberge, leaves are hairy and the older leaves acidic sandstone soils in the Red List of South African Riversdale What are the flowers like? Olifants River to the Langeberg riverbanks and swampy areas, are Akkedisberg & Bredasdorp are smooth. Kogelberg, Groenlandberge, Plants, because of habitat loss, in some instances impacted by Houwhoek, Caledon Swartberg, over-harvesting and generic Mountains at Riversdale. mountains, & Soetanysberg. What are the flowers like? Fresh and dried The cones are up to 35 mm long unlawful agricultural practices like Kleinrivierberge, Akkedisberg and contamination. This species is also and 25 mm wide, with bright yellow industries ploughing. Fresh industry The pincushion flower heads are Bredasdorp mountains, and also under threat from poor harvesting bracts. The cones are kept on the attached at a right angle to the stem. on flats surrounding Soetanysberg. practices. shrub for several years. Plants flower Least concern Near threatened They are up to 70 mm wide and from July to September. range in colour from orange to dark Widespread red, and sometimes yellow. Plants flower from August to January. Localised Leucadendron xanthoconus truncatulum Leucospermum

Family:Leucadendron xanthoconus Family:Leucospermum truncatulum Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Leucadendron – the Conebushes Leucospermum – the Pincushions Species: Species: xanthoconus – meaning ‘yellow cone’ truncatulum Common name: Common name: Blinkblaartolbos, Sickle-leaf Conebush Buxi, Buxifolium, Oval-leaf Pincushion (Note: this species is often incorrectly called “Salignum”. Leucadendron xanthoconus (Note: This plant was given the specific (species) name “truncatulum” by Salisbury in and can be easily confused but Leucadendron xanthoconus 1809 - and “buxifolium” by Brown in 1810. Thus “truncatulum” is correct, although is a reseeder and Leucadendron salignum is a resprouter.) many botanists and wildflower harvesters/growers have continued to use the confusing name “buxifolium”.) Vulnerability Index Score: 2 Vulnerability Index Score: 6

2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Leucadendron xanthoconus plants Leucadendron xanthoconus is insect- In the cut-flower industry it is Leucospermum truncatulum is a Leucospermum truncatulum is visited It is used in the fresh- and dried- August are dense shrubs. They have pollinated. Seeds are kept in the used as a filler (or ‘green’) in August to December slender shrub with a single stem by a variety of insect species flower industries. single stems and can grow up to female cones until after the next bouquets. and few branches. It grows up to (generalist insect-pollination Seeder, insects two metres tall. They grow fairly fire, when they are released. Seeder, insects two metres tall. The oval, hairy system) and seeds are released 1-2 Conservation quickly. The leaves are slightly The female stems with cones are leaves are 10-25 mm long and 5-10 months after flowering. [Red List: Near Threatened] Cape Peninsula to Potberg sickle-shaped. Young leaves are Where is it found? very popular in the dried-flower Kogelberg to Agulhas mm wide. The leaves overlap at export market. Where is it found? Leucospermum truncatulum is coming covered in silvery hairs. It grows from the Cape Peninsula the stem. under threat, in many cases It grows throughout the Overberg because of habitat loss, invasive Fresh and dried What are the flowers like? to Potberg. It often grows in large Conservation Fresh and dried What are the flowers like? industries groups. [Red List: Least Concern] industries in big groups. It is found from alien plants and agriculture. The male and female cones grow The flowers are yellow when they the Kogelberg to Agulhas on Least concern on separate plants and look different. Near threatened are young and change to deep sandy flats up to 400 metres above The bracts around the flower heads red as they get older. The small sea level. It prefers the cooler are yellow. The plants flower in Widespread flower heads are round and 15-20 southern and eastern slopes. Widespread August. mm across. Flower heads grow in clusters of 2 to 8 and do not have Common an obvious stem. Plants flower from August to December.

28 29 Protea cynaroides Mimetes cucullatus Protea cynaroides Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Mimetes – the Pagodas Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: cucullatus – meaning ‘shaped like a hood’ cynaroides – meaning ‘like an artichoke’ Common name: Common name: Common Pagoda Koningsprotea, King Protea

Vulnerability Index Score: 2 Vulnerability Index Score: 4

What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? leaves and flowers vary greatly in 2m 2m size and colour. Mimetes cucullatus is a shrub with Mimetes cucullatus is pollinated It is used in the fresh flower Protea cynaroides shrubs have many Protea cynaroides is pollinated by August to March many branches. It can grow up by Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. The industry. Throughout year branches. Most shrubs are about Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are How is it used? to two metres tall but most plants plants re-sprout from a permanent one metre tall, but they can grow retained in the flower heads until Conservation Protea cynaroides is South Africa’s Seeder, birds only reach 50 cm. The leaves are rootstock after fire. Seeder, birds up to two metres. after the next fire. Plants resprout oval shaped and 25-55 mm long. [Red List: Least Concern] from a permanent rootstock after national flower. It is an extremely Where is it found? What are the flowers like? popular cut-flower and is grown Cederberg to the Kogelberg They are arranged around the Mimetes cucullatus is not a Cape Floristic fire. stem symmetrically (like a mirror- worldwide. and Agulhas Plain to the It grows from the Cederberg in vulnerable species. Region: Cederberg to Flower heads are large and bowl- Where is it found? image). the west, to the Kogelberg and shaped and are up to 30 cm wide. Conservation Kouga Mountains Agulhas Plain in the south, and to Grahamstown What are the flowers like? The involucral (floral) leaves are It grows throughout the [Red List: Least Concern] the Kouga Mountains in the east. pink to crimson. Plants flower Cape Floristic Region from Fresh industry The flower head grows up to 100 Fresh industry throughout the year depending on the Cederberg in the west to Protea cynaroides is not threatened. mm long. It consists of a crown locality. Grahamstown in the Eastern Least concern of red bracts (or leaves) and white Least concern Cape. It grows from sea level up hanging florets (10-15 mm long) that to an altitude of 1,500 metres. Widespread stick out of this crown. Plants flower Widespread Because it grows in many different throughout the year, but mainly from places with different climatic Common August to March. Localised conditions, Protea cynaroides Protea compacta Protea eximia Protea compacta Protea eximia Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Protea – the Sugarbushes Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: compacta – meaning ‘with a compact shape’ eximia – meaning ‘excellent’ or ‘special’ Common name: Common name: Bot River Sugarbush Broad-leaf Sugarbush

Vulnerability Index Score: 7 Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed

3.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 5m What does the plant look like? The tips of the individual florets in How is it used? the centre of the flower are covered Protea compacta is a shrub with a Protea compacta is pollinated by It is popular both as a cut-flower Protea eximia is a large shrub with It is used in the cut-flower April to September July to December with dark pink hairs that feel soft single stem and branches. It grows Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are and in the dried-flower industry. It a single stem and few branches. It like velvet. Plants flower from July industry. up to 3.5 metres tall. The leaves retained in flower heads until after is therefore widely cultivated. grows up to five metres tall and Seeder, birds to December but mainly from Conservation are oval and heart-shaped at the the next fire. Seeder, birds three metres wide. The leaves are August to October. base. They curl upwards around Conservation purple-green and covered with a [Red List: Least Concern] South-western Cape coast: Where is it found? [Red List: Near Threatened] the stem. Worcester, via Van white powder that rubs off when How does it reproduce? This species is not threatened. Kleinmond, Houwhoek, In some instances, dense fields touched. The leaves feel like leather. What are the flowers like? It grows along the south-western Stadensberg, to Port Protea eximia is pollinated by Hermanus, Elim, Napier, Cape coast around Kleinmond, of Protea compacta have been They are 60-100 mm long and Elizabeth. 30-65 mm wide. Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are Bredasdorp and Struisbaai The flower colour ranges from deep Houwhoek, Hermanus, Elim, broadcast-sown over newly retained in flower heads until after pink to white. Plants flower from Napier, Bredasdorp and Struisbaai. ploughed fynbos veld. This Fresh industry What are the flowers like? the next fire. Fresh and dried industries April to September. practice is illegal because it destroys the natural diversity of The flower heads are 100-140 mm Where is it found? Least concern Near threatened fynbos. It is also listed as Near long and up to 120 mm wide. The Threatened on the Red List due flower bracts are covered with small It grows at altitudes from 200- 1,600 metres. It is found from Widespread to habitat loss, invasive alien plants hairs on their outer surfaces. The and hybridisation. outer bracts are short and cream to Worcester, via Van Stadensberg, to Port Elizabeth. Localised white in colour. The inner bracts are longer and light to dark pink. 30 31 Protea longifolia Protea obtusifolia Protea longifolia Protea obtusifolia Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Protea – the Sugarbushes Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: longifolia – meaning ‘long leaves’ obtusifolia – meaning ‘leaves with rounded tips’ Common name: Common name: Swartbaard, Long-leaf Sugarbush Limestone Sugarbush

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 7

How is it used? How is it used? 1.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? 2-3m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? Protea longifolia is a sprawling shrub Protea longifolia is pollinated by It is used in the cut-flower Protea obtusifolia is an upright shrub Protea obtusifolia is pollinated by It is used in the cut-flower May to September that grows up to 1.5 metres tall. Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are industry. April to September with a single stem and branches. Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are industry. The leaves curve upwards. They retained in flower heads until after It grows between two and three retained in flower heads until after Conservation Conservation Seeder, birds are 90-200 mm long and 5-17 mm the next fire. Seeder, birds metres tall. The narrow, oval leaves the next fire. wide. [Red List: Vulnerable] curve upwards. They are 100-150 [Red List: Near Threatened] Where is it found? Where is it found? Protea longifolia is a threatened mm long and 20-40 mm wide. This species is threatened by Hottentots Holland, Du What are the flowers like? Stanford to Cape Agulhas, species because of the loss of its activities, including in some Toitskloof Mountains, to It grows in acid sand in fynbos Still Bay and to the What are the flowers like? It grows in coastal Limestone The flower heads are greenish, pink that is rich in plants from the habitat, over-picking in the past, fynbos from Stanford to Cape instances over-harvesting and the Agulhas Plain or white. The flowers are 80-160 Protea family. They grow from invasive alien plants and Protea Gouritz River mouth The flowers are glossy pink. The Agulhas, Still Bay and to the because more than 20% of its mm long and 40-90 mm wide. the Hottentots Holland- and cultivation. tips of the bracts and the centre Gouritz River mouth. Limestone fynbos habitat is Fresh industry They have a central, pointed, black Du Toitskloof Mountains, to the Fresh industry of the flower head are dark threatened by invasive alien plants woolly tip. Plants flower from May Agulhas Plain in the south. pink. Plants flower from April to and agriculture. Vulnerable to September but mainly in June Near threatened September, but mainly during June and July. and July. Widespread Restricted

Common Localised Protea neriifolia Protea repens Protea neriifolia Protea repens Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Protea – the Sugarbushes Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: neriifolia – meaning ‘leaves like an oleander’ repens Common name: Common name: Narrow-leaf Sugarbush Suikerkan, Common Sugarbush

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 3

3 to 5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Protea neriifolia is a large shrub with Protea neriifolia is pollinated by It is used in the cut-flower Protea repens is an upright bush Protea repens is pollinated by In the past, people collected the February to November a single stem. It grows to between Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are industry. Throughout the year with a single stem. Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are nectar and boiled it to make a three and five metres tall. retained in flower heads until after retained in flower heads and are sugary syrup. This is why it is Seeder, birds the next fire. Conservation Seeder, birds What are the flowers like? only released after the plant has called the “Sugarbush”. People What are the flowers like? [Red List: Least Concern] The flowers are cone-shaped. The been killed by fire. used the syrup as a cough Cape Town to Port Where is it found? South-western Cape to medicine. Today, Protea repens is The flowers range in colour from This species is not currently outer bracts are sharply pointed. Where is it found? Elizabeth pink to creamy-green. They have a It grows on sandstone soils in the threatened. east of Grahamstown The colour varies from creamy- used mainly in the dried-flower black, woolly fringe with a white southern coastal mountain ranges white, to white with pink, to deep It grows throughout the Fynbos industry. Fresh industry flower centre. Plants flower from between Cape Town and Port Dried industry red. The plants flower during the Biome, from the south-western Conservation February to November. Elizabeth. It is found from sea rainy season. This occurs in winter Cape to east of Grahamstown in [Red List: Least Concern] Least concern level to 1,300 metres, although it Least concern in the west, and in summer in the the Eastern Cape. does not grow naturally on the east. Flowers are therefore available Protea repens is quite common and Agulhas Plain. all year round. is not considered vulnerable. Widespread Widespread

Common Common

32 33 Protea scolymocephala Protea sulphurea Protea scolymocephala Protea sulphurea Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Protea – the Sugarbushes Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: scolymocephala – meaning ‘flower head like a thistle’ sulphurea – meaning ‘yellow’ Common name: Common name: Skollie, Scoly, Thistle Sugarbush Skaamroos, Sulphur Sugarbush

Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed

What does the plant look like? July to November, but mainly How is it used? What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 1.5m between August and September. 50cm Protea scolymocephala is a neatly It is used in the fresh- and dried- Protea sulphurea is a low, dense Protea sulphurea is pollinated by It is harvested for the fresh- and July to November rounded shrub that grows up to How does it reproduce? flower industries. April to August shrub with many branches that small mammals such as rodents and dried-flower industries. 1.5 metres tall. The leaves are long grow horizontally from the stem. elephant shrews. These are attracted Protea scolymocephala is visited by a Conservation Conservation Seeder, insects and thin – up to 150 mm long and Seeder, small mammals It grows up to 50 cm tall. The by the yeasty smell and nectar in the 15 mm wide. variety of insect species (generalist [Red List: Vulnerable] grey-green leaves are oval and have flower heads. Seeds are retained in [Red List: Least Concern] insect-pollination system). Seeds (rodents) Protea scolymocephala is vulnerable. a sharp tip. the dried flower heads for several Protea sulphurea is not currently Olifants River to the What are the flowers like? are retained in flower heads and Threats include invasive alien years before being released. threatened. Cape Peninsula and are only released after the plant Mountains What are the flowers like? plants, urban development, At first, the bracts fold around the has been killed by fire. Where is it found? through the Overberg to florets to form a perfect ball. Then agriculture and unsustainable to the Swartberg and The flowers are cup-shaped Hermanus the flower head opens for pollination. Where is it found? harvesting. Waboomsberg and hang downwards. They are It grows from the Hex River The bracts fold back flat to expose a sulphur-yellow with purple-green Mountains to the Swartberg and group of small florets in the centre. It grows on sandy flats close to the bracts and also have a “yeasty” Waboomsberg, at altitudes over Fresh and dried coast, from the Olifants River in Fresh and dried industries The outer rows of florets are slightly industries smell. Plants flower from April to 1000m. hairy but the inner florets have no the west, to the Cape Peninsula August. hairs. The flower colour varies from and through the Overberg to Vulnerable soft cream with a touch of pink, to Hermanus. Least concern soft light green. Plants flower from Protea susannae Protea speciosa Protea speciosa Protea susannae Family: Family: Proteaceae – the Protea family Proteaceae – the Protea family Genus: Genus: Protea – the Sugarbushes Protea – the Sugarbushes Species: Species: speciosa – meaning ‘beautiful’ susannae Common name: Common name: Bruinbaard Suikerkan, Brown-bearded Sugarbush Stinkblaarprotea, Stink-leaf Sugarbush

Vulnerability Index Score: 7 Vulnerability Index Score: 7

1.2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2-3m What does the plant look like? Plants flower between April and How is it used? September. Protea speciosa is a shrub with Protea speciosa is pollinated by It is harvested for the fresh- and Protea susannae is a large shrub with Protea susannae has been hybridised June to January straight stems that grows up to 1.2 Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are dried-flower industries. April to September a single stem. It grows 2–3 metres How does it reproduce? under cultivation to produce metres tall. The leaves are 90-160 retained in flower heads and are tall and 3–4 metres wide. cultivars such as “Pink Ice”, Seeder, birds (resprout) mm long and 10-60 mm wide. only released after the plant has Conservation Seeder, birds Protea susannae is pollinated by “Special Pink Ice”, “Cardinal”, been killed by fire. The shrub can [Red List: Least Concern] The leaves are 80-160 mm long, Sugarbirds and Sunbirds. Seeds are “Sylvia” and “Susara”. Cape Peninsula to the What are the flowers like? resprout after fire. Stanford to Albertinia with an oval, wavy shape. The retained in flower heads for several Although Protea speciosa is listed leaves smell like sulphur when years after flowering. Conservation Agulhas Plain The flower heads have striking Where is it found? as a species of Least Concern, it you crush them. The young leaves [Red List: Near Threatened] bracts that feel like velvet. They can be affected by unsustainable Fresh industry are covered with tiny hairs, which Where is it found? range in colour from creamy It grows in mountainous areas harvesting and frequent, The habitat of Protea susannae Fresh and dried drop off as the leaves get older. The It grows mainly in neutral sand white to salmon pink in different from the Cape Peninsula to unplanned veld fires. Near threatened mature leaves feel like leather. is threatened by invasive alien industries regions. The flower head has a the Agulhas Plains. It grows in fynbos that is rich in plants of plants, especially Rooikrans, urban the Protea family. It grows from straight tip that ends in a creamy on the Riviersonderend and Restricted What are the flowers like? expansion and Protea cultivation. Least concern to brown beard. Plants flower from Langeberg Mountains as far east as Stanford in the Overberg to June to January, but mainly during Riversdale. The flowers are 80-100 mm long Albertinia. Restricted September and October. Localised and 70-110 mm wide. The flowers are soft pink and nearly white in Localised the centre. The bracts are brown and covered in a sticky layer. 34 35 Thamnochortus insignis Thamnochortus aethiopicum Anthospermum

ThamnochortusFamily: insignis Anthospermum aethiopicum Restionaceae – the Restio (Cape Reed) family Family: Rubiaceae – the Bedstraw family Genus: Thamnochortus Genus: Anthospermum – meaning ‘the seed in the flower’ Species: insignis Species: aethiopicum – meaning ‘comes from Africa’ Common name: Mannetjies Riet, Albertinia, Dekriet, Albertinia Common name: Thatching Reed, Thatchreed Seeroogbossie, Katstert

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: 3

How is it used? 2.5m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Thamnochortus insignis is a large Thamnochortus insignis is wind- It is used to thatch roofs and is Anthospermum aethiopicum is a Anthospermum aethiopicum is wind- It is used as a filler in fynbos March to April Restio or Cape reed. Its base can pollinated. The seeds are very also a very popular garden plant. August to January compact shrub with a single stem pollinated. The seeds are very small bouquets. grow up to one metre in diameter small and are released 1-2 months that grows up to two metres tall. and are released each season after and it can grow 2.5 metres tall. after flowering. Conservation flowering. Conservation Seeder, wind [Red List: Least Concern] Seeder, wind The needle-shaped leaves are up to [Red List: Least Concern] What are the flowers like? Where is it found? 6 mm long and grow directly from Where is it found? Thamnochortus insignis is the Southern Cape (also Cape Floristic Region the stem in clusters of three. Anthospermum aethiopicum is a roadsides from Port As with many other Restio species, Thamnochortus insignis grows main Restio species used in It grows throughout the Fynbos pioneer plant that grows on the male and female flowers are densely and occurs naturally in the the thatching industry. Many Fresh industry What are the flowers like? Biome. disturbed soils. It is therefore not Elizabeth to the Cederberg) brown and found on separate plants. southern Cape, especially around areas between Cape Agulhas threatened. Plants flower during March and Albertinia. However, seed has and the Gouritz River mouth The male and female flowers Thatch April. been spread by trucks carrying have been managed for this Least concern grow on different plants. The small Thatching Reed and as a result species, e.g. regular burning to yellow flowers grow in clusters Least concern the species now also grows along encourage growth, which in many Widespread close to the tips of the stems. Plants roadsides from Port Elizabeth instances has affected the health flower from August to January. Restricted to the Cederberg – a significant of the naturally occurring plant Common distance from its proper “home”. communities in those areas. Localised Phylica ericoides Agathosma betulina Phylica ericoides Agathosma betulina Family: Family: Rhamnaceae – the Buckthorn family Rutaceae – the Citrus family Genus: Genus: Phylica – meaning ‘leafy’ Agathosma – meaning ‘good smell’ Species: Species: ericoides – meaning ‘looking like an Erica’ betulina Common name: Common name: Hardebos Boegoe, Buchu, Rondeblaarboegoe

Vulnerability Index Score: 3 Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed

90cm What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Phylica ericoides is a compact and Phylica ericoides has a “musty” smell It is a used as a filler in fresh Agathosma betulina is a shrub with Agathosma betulina is visited by a It is commonly used as medicine Throughout the year neatly rounded shrub. It has a when flowering. This smell attracts flower bouquets. June to November many stems that grows up to two variety of insect species, especially and in the perfume industry. single stem and many branches. It flies (especially Kelp Flies), which metres tall. Pairs of leaves grow on bees and flies (generalist insect- Buchu tea and Buchu brandy Seeder, flies grows up to 90 cm tall. The small pollinate the flowers. Seeds are Conservation Seeder, insects opposite sides of the stem. They pollination system). Seeds are are taken to treat digestive and [Red List: Least Concern] leaves are 4-8 mm long and look released from capsules once the (resprout post fire) are about 20 mm long and 10 mm released after flowers have dried. urinary tract problems. Saldanha Bay to like Erica leaves. flowers have dried. wide. Oil glands can easily be seen The fruit is a capsule with five Phylica ericoides is not threatened. Conservation Port Elizabeth Calvinia, through the under the leaves. The oil gives the sections. When ripe, it bursts open What are the flowers like? Where is it found? plant a pleasant smell. to release the seeds. The shrub can [Red List: Declining] Cederberg, Tulbagh and The flower head is 4-7 mm in It is found on coastal slopes and in also resprout after fire. Agathosma betulina is threatened Fresh industry What are the flowers like? coastal sand from Saldanha Bay to Ceres, to the Piketberg diameter. It is made up of florets Where is it found? by activities, including over- Least concern (small flowers) surrounded by flat Port Elizabeth. The small star-shaped flowers have harvesting and damage to its bracts. Plants flower throughout the Medicine five petals on a short stem. Plants It grows on sandy mountain slopes habitat. year depending on locality. flower from June to November. at altitudes from 300-700 metres. Widespread Declining It is found from Calvinia, through the Cederberg, Tulbagh and Ceres, Common to the Piketberg.

36 37 Acmadenia heterophylla Acmadenia heterophylla FlowerTrust Conservation Valley Family: Rutaceae – the Citrus family The Flower Valley Genus: Acmadenia Conservation Trust Species: heterophylla – meaning ‘leaves of different forms’ (established in 1999) is Common name: a public benefit- and Buchu, Boegoe non-profit organisation Vulnerability Index Score: Not listed that promotes the 2m What does the plant look like? How does it reproduce? How is it used? Acmadenia heterophylla is a shrub Acmadenia heterophylla is visited It is used as an aromatic (scented) sustainable harvesting September to March with a single main stem and many by a variety of insect species filler in fynbos bouquets. branches, growing up to 40 cm (generalist insect-pollination Conservation Seeder, insects tall. It spreads out like a mat on system). Seeds are released after of wild fynbos. Since the ground. Individual plants grow flowers have dried. [Red List: Least Concern] Bredasdorp, Caledon up to 60 cm wide. The tiny leaves Although Acmadenia heterophylla is cluster near the tips of the reddish Where is it found? 2003 the Trust has been and Mossel Bay commonly grown in gardens, it is stems. The leaves have a fresh It grows on limestone outcrops becoming increasingly endangered lemony smell. around Bredasdorp, Caledon and in nature due, in some instances, Fresh industry to over-harvesting and habitat working in collaboration What are the flowers like? Mossel Bay. destruction. Least concern The flowers have five light pink petals with a darker pink centre. with the fynbos industry Plants flower from September to March. and CapeNature (the Western Cape nature conservation authority) to promote the Sustainable Harvesting Programme (SHP).

38 39 The Flower Valley Conservation Trust Acknowledgements

The Flower Valley Conservation Trust (established in 1999) is a public benefit- and • Newcastle University’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact non-profit organisation that promotes the sustainable harvesting of wild fynbos. Acceleration Scheme provided funding for this Field Guide. Underpinning the guide Since 2003 the Trust has been working in collaboration with the fynbos industry is research on sustainable wild flower harvesting funded by ESRC (grant reference and CapeNature (the Western Cape nature conservation authority) to promote the ES/K005626/1 led by Dr Alex Hughes) and by The Leverhulme Trust (grant Sustainable Harvesting Programme (SHP). reference RF150138 led by Professor Cheryl McEwan). Dr David Bek and Gerhard van Deventer worked on these projects. To find out more about the Sustainable Harvesting Programme and how to become involved, please contact Flower Valley Conservation Trust: • Fernkloof Nature Reserve and friends, including Sandy Jenkin and Ronnie Hazell, who provided many of the photographs and much of the botanical information. Phone: 028 425 2218 • Tony Rebelo, Nicky van Berkel and Carina Lochner who provided photographs via Email: [email protected] the iSpot platform (http://www.ispotnature.org/communities/southern-africa). Website: www.flowervalley.org.za • Kobus Tollig Photography and Heather D’Alton, who provided many of the More information about the authors and editors. photographs used in the Field Guide. Authors: • D Millenium Multi Events, Mntambo Nakwa, Londeka Zondi and Mkhululi Silandela, who helped to translate the text into isiXhosa. Gerhard van Deventer • Ronel Beukes, who translated the text into Afrikaans. Gerhard is the owner of Sandberg Fynbos Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot near the village of Elim on the Agulhas Plain. He has a detailed understanding of fynbos ecology • Roger Bailey, Conservation Manager at the Flower Valley Conservation Trust, who and is committed to a range of conservation and education projects on the Agulhas provided specialist advice. Plain. He has been involved with the Sustainable Harvesting Programme since it began in 2003 and has provided many parts of the Sustainable Harvesting training programme for fynbos pickers. Dr David Bek The Field Guide for Wild Harvesters is available online at:

David is a Research Associate at Newcastle University. He has conducted research in South Africa since 2000 and has worked closely with the Flower Valley Conservation http://www.flowervalley.org.za/fieldguidebooklet.pdf Trust since 2006.

Dr Alice Ashwell An abbreviated version of the Field Guide for Wild Harvesters Alice is an educator, life coach and facilitator and creates opportunities for people to is available online at: connect with conservation.

Editors: http://www.flowervalley.org.za/fieldguidecardsA6.pdf Heather D’Alton

Heather is a journalist, and serves as the Communications Manager for Flower Valley Conservation Trust.

Ross Turner

Ross Turner (MSc) is a botanist, ecologist and Erica-guru, and is currently completing his PhD through the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Bronwyn Botha

Bronwyn has a B-Tech in Nature Conservation, and is the Conservation Extension & Applied Research Coordinator at Flower Valley Conservation Trust.

Dr Alex Hughes

Alex is Reader in Economic Geography at Newcastle University, UK.

Professor Cheryl McEwan

Cheryl is Chair in Human Geography at Durham University, UK.

40 41 The production of the Field Guide for Wild Flower Harvesting has been supported by the ESRC, the European Bibliography Union and the WWF Nedbank Green Trust. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Flower Valley Conservation Trust and the authors, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Goldblatt P, Manning J. 2000. Cape plants: a conspectus of the Cape flora of South European Union or the WWF Nedbank Green Trust. Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute.

Haaksma ED, Linder HP. 2000. Restios of the fynbos. Botanical Society of South Africa. ISBN 187499921X.

Le Roux A, Jacobs L, Ralston S, Schutte-Vlok AL, and Koopman R. Plants and Vegetation, chapter 10 in Western Cape State of Biodiversity, CapeNature.

Linder HP. 2006. The African Restionaceae: an IntKey identification and description system. Version 4. Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 19.

Middelman, M. 2012 Proteas - The Birth of a Worldwide Industry, Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978 1 4691 3319 5.

Oliver EGH, Oliver IM. 2002. The genus Erica (Ericaceae) in southern Africa: taxonomic notes 1. Bothalia 32,1: 37-61. Flower Valley Conservation Trust PBO no: 930 011 712 Raimondo D, Staden LV, Foden W, Victor JE, Helme NA, Turner RC, Manyama NPO no: 083-402-NPO PA. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25, South African Biodiversity Institute. ISBN 9781919976525. Contact Details PO Box 354 Rebelo AG. 2001. Sasol Proteas: a field guide to the Proteas of Southern Africa. Bredasdorp Fernwood Press. ISBN 1874950407. 7280 Turpie, J.K., Heydenrych, B.J. & Lamberth, S.J. 2003. Economic value of terrestrial and South Africa marine biodiversity in the Cape Floristic Region: implications for defining effective and socially optimal conservation strategies. Biological Conservation. Tel. +27 (0)28 425 2218 Email: [email protected] Van Wyk BE, Gericke N. 2000. People’s plants: A guide to useful plants of Southern Website: www.flowervalley.org.za Africa. Briza Publications. ISBN 9781875093199. Facebook: Flower Valley Conservation Trust Twitter Handle: @flowervalleyct Vogts M. 1982. South Africa’s Proteaceae: know them and grow them. C. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 0869771167.

Welsford MR, Midgley JJ, Johnson SD. 2014. Experimental Evaluation of Insect Pollination versus Wind Pollination in Leucadendron (Proteaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences 175(3): 296-306.

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