Volume 11 • April 2015

CREW –National Overview

Domitilla Raimondo, Threatened Species Programme Manager REW, the Custodians of C Rare and Endangered ast year, 2014, has been a others do monthly fieldtrips. Some Wildflowers, is a programme Lbumper year for the CREW cover a very wide area, while oth- that involves volunteers from programme: our network of vol- ers concentrate their monitoring on the public in the monitoring unteers has expanded into the a few highly threatened sites close and conservation of South Albany area of the Eastern Cape to where they live. Overall though Africa’s threatened . under the leadership of Vatiswa what stands out is that as each CREW aims to capacitate a Zikishe, with a first set of CREW year goes by, the knowledge of our network of volunteers from fieldtrips in the region already volunteers grows and more-and- a range of socio-economic yielding some interesting data more interesting species are found. backgrounds to monitor on species endemic to Hidden in the pages of this news- and conserve ’s the Albany region (see page 5); letter are numerous discoveries of threatened plant species. a new CREW group has been new plant species, as well so many The programme links vol- formed for Gauteng and has just rediscoveries of plants not seen for unteers with their local started fieldwork in this highly decades. It is incredible to see that conservation agencies and threatened province (see page many of you volunteers are finding particularly with local land 38); the -based CREW so many new threatened and range stewardship initiatives to en- have been incredibly productive restricted species that you have not sure the conservation of key with a record number of sites previously recorded and this shows sites for threatened plant being recorded this past year the need for long-term monitoring species. (see page 7); and the KZN CREW and the value of involving all of you are working hard to build aware- in monitoring South Africa’s special ness on threatened plants in the plants. province and are doing valuable I have just completed South Af- monitoring and capacity devel- rica’s National Plant Conservation opment work, page 3. Strategy, and CREW features very After reading all the articles submit- strongly in this strategy. CREW ted by the various CREW volun- fulfils the role of monitoring threat- teer groups to this newsletter, it is ened plants in the field providing evident that each of our volunteer the essential knowledge foundation groups has their own style of doing upon which the other conservation fieldwork; some do weekly trips, activities of the strategy are based.

1 Lize von Staden conducting Red List training for Groen Sebenza pioneers: Dewidine van der Colff, Hlengiwe Mtshali & Mahlatse Mogale.

For example, CREW data is the globally to achieve the in situ con- many of them, especially our in- main source of new information to servation target of the Global Strat- terns from the Eastern Cape, this update the Red List status of all of egy for Plant Conservation. is the first time they have written an South Africa’s plants. The accu- article to publish, and we are very rate population data on threatened The CREW programme continues proud of their development. plants collected by CREW volun- to be deeply committed to capacity teers have also been used, along development; there was a strong In 2014, CREW piloted a new ap- with specimen data, to identify the focus in 2014 on developing ca- proach to tackling gap areas where we do not have CREW groups most important areas for expand- pacity of Groen Sebenza pioneers functioning and undertook a plant ing South Africa’s protected areas. (young individuals funded by the collecting and plant monitoring Lize von Staden, SANBI’s Red List national jobs fund to work in bio- expedition to the Richtersveld in Scientist, has over the past year diversity conservation). Fourteen the Northern Cape. We were very conducted a systematic biodiver- Groen Sebenza pioneers based fortunate to have an excellent lo- sity plan for species that identifies across the country worked on in- cal expert on the plants, Pieter van where the best sites are for con- ventorying plants and animals, and they also received extensive train- Wyk, who works as an ecologist serving unprotected species. Her at SANParks. Pieter knew most of ing that ranged from how to collect work has already been included in the special rare and endemic spe- certain groups of invertebrates to the ’s Protected Area cies we were searching for, so over managing finances. Three of these expansion strategy and sites identi- the 10-day trip we managed to find Groen Sebenza pioneers are uni- fied in this analysis are now being most of our target plants. Two of versity graduates employed via used to guide where biodiversity our interns who came on this trip stewardship works happens. The the Botanical Society. These three were Brittany Arendse and Mahl- other provinces will also be updat- individuals have had a deep invest- atse Mogale and they have written ing their protected area expansion ment in their skills via training on about our adventures on page 46. strategies over the course of the how to conduct Red Listing and we More than 300 endemic plants next year, and a national protected hope soon to have a new cohort from this region will now have their area expansion strategy that kicks of Red List scientists to help with assessments updated and made of this year will also use the results the very big job of keeping plant available as part of our next Red of this analysis. We are hopeful that assessments of South Africa’s rich List update. Many of these species within the next five years we will flora up to date. CREW also hosts have become more threatened as a manage to achieve formal conser- one year interns funded by the result of overgrazing and trampling vation of 75% of threatened plant National Research Foundation. At by goats. SANBI will work with species by conserving 30 priority the end of this newsletter, on pages SANParks to determine how this sites. If this is achieved South Af- 42–45, you will find a number of threat to the unique plant diversity 2 rica will become the first country articles written by our interns. For in this region can be removed. The implementation of the CREW forms a core part of the Botanical so much of your time and spend programme is made possible via Society’s conservation work; Cath- your own resources to get to distant the partnership between SANBI erine Brown explains more about field sites to monitor plants. We are and the Botanical Society and is this on page 9. I would like to end so grateful to the contribution you dependent on the funding received this article expressing our thanks to are all making to the conservation from the Botanical Society. CREW all of you, our volunteers, who give of South Africa’s unique flora!

News from the CREW Kwa-Zulu Natal node

Suvarna Parbhoo

t is always rewarding to reflect Ion the activities of another year that has passed and 2014 was a remarkable year of threat- ened plant hunting. The enthu- siasm and commitment from the CREW summer-rainfall network keeps growing. Our focus for 2014 was to showcase some of KZN’s threatened plants by producing eye-catching posters. The six CREW KZN posters feature the province’s most threatened plants, trees and aloes; Pondoland’s threatened plants; as well as the top five threatened plants from both Participants at the 2014 CREW summer-rainfall workshop held at Highover, KZN Durban and the Midlands. Graham Southern Midlands. Photo: Graham Grieve. Grieve speaks more about the Pondoland poster on page 41. Mbali has been instrumental in threatened plant awareness and We were fortunate to have NRF knowledge in the general public. sponsored intern Mbali Mkhize establishing the ‘What’s flowering join the CREW team for a year as now?’ series of articles. As the title suggests, these short articles Our Groen Sebenza pioneer, she took on data management, Hlengiwe Mtshali, is truly an ensuring that information is provide a picture and a simple asset to the team. After extensive captured as it comes in. Read description of a threatened plant Red List training and mentoring, about Mbali’s CREW internship in flower in the KZN Midlands and Hlengiwe is now focussing on adventure on page 42. This gave Durban and outlying western areas. us the opportunity to analyse The articles are published (and red listing the KZN threatened our data and we are delighted to distributed) within the Midlands and species, apart from her CREW announce that we have found 211 the Kloof conservancy networks. KZN coordinator role. It is crucial of 473 threatened species known in Our articles are also published that we collect as much data as KZN. In addition, we have recorded in the Natal Witness newspaper. possible to enable appropriate Red 32 Rare species since the CREW We are excited to be receiving List statuses of our species. Hence, KZN node was initiated. A species alerts from the public and being 2015 will be a more focussed year is categorised as Rare when it able to visit new, botanically rich for data and specimen collection. meets at least one of four South properties. We have also been African criteria for rarity, but is not sharing these articles on our Having played a mentoring role exposed to any direct or potential Facebook page with the hope that over the past few years, I am threat and does not qualify for a information will be shared as widely proud to see the development of category of threat according to one as possible. This series of articles the CREW interns. Both Hlengiwe of the five IUCN criteria. is a testimony to the increase in and Mbali took on organising and 3 provinces in attendance. We were delighted to have a day of identification courses by the world authority on the and Hyacinthaceae families – Dr John Manning. His willingness to share his knowledge throughout the workshop was most amazing. After a day of concentrating on the two plant families, Prof. Steve Johnson eased us into a relaxing evening with his incredible insights into the sex life of plants. Dr Marianne le Roux introduced the CREW summer-rainfall network to the e-flora project and emphasised the need for ‘office’ volunteers to ensure that this project meets its targets. The family Apocynaceae was also unravelled at the workshop by Pieter Bester, who is working on this family as part of his PhD. CREW iSpot addicts were thrilled to have spent the weekend with Tony Rebelo Hlengiwe Mtshali and Mbali Mkhize – the guy behind iSpot South admiring Disa crassicornis [Least Africa. I am sure those who were concern] atop of Edgeware Mountain. not on iSpot prior to the workshop Photo: David Clulow. have now become addicts to this fantastic portal for nature enthusiasts. The CREW summer- conducting successful field trips rainfall champions were surprised while I was away. The CREW A when rewarded with copies of the team was thrilled to have long Plant Families’ book as a token of standing CREW volunteers – appreciation from the Botanical David and Barbara Clulow – join Society of South Africa Executive them on the Edgeware Mountain Director, Zaitoon Rabaney. fieldtrip. The Clulows have been The week after the annual collecting from this mountain over workshop saw the CREW the years. As the group ascended KZN team presenting our the mountain, they began achievements at the symposium findingSandersonia aurantiaca of contemporary conservation (Declining), Eucomis autumnalis (Declining), Asclepias bicuspis practice, organised by (Critically Endangered), a new Ezemvelo-KZN Wildlife. It locality for Polygala practicola was rewarding to have our (Data Deficient) and the elusive work presented to a broad Schizoglossum bidens subsp. audience of research hirtum (Data Deficient). Finding representatives from five threatened species at one site provincial, national and on one visit is a huge achievement regional authorities, universities for the summer-rainfall region. We and NGOs. are grateful to Chris Wahlberg for Finally, the CREW KZN node is driving and accompanying the team excited to have our very own 4×4. to the various sites. Its maiden fieldtrip was a good The CREW summer-rainfall test that ‘Mr Isuzu’ passed with workshop is always our highlight distinction! We are looking forward of the year, with CREW folk to many travels as we begin representing the Eastern Cape, focussing on the Northern Berg 4 KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo and Maputaland areas in 2015. CREW KZN threatened plant posters. News from the Eastern Cape

ast year was a year of learn- the year. Some of the courses built have followed journeys similar to Ling, exciting challenges, on those done in 2013, for example their own. Although all outings were reflections, new beginnings for Basic Botany, whereas other cours- enjoyable, Addo Elephant National some and a journey of discov- es were newly introduced, such as Park was the main highlight. Visit- ery for everyone involved in the Insect Collecting, Snail Collecting, ing this park that is located on their project. The Eastern Cape para- Spiders, Basic Computing, and Bio- doorstep for the first time, enabled ecologist project finally reached logical Control of Alien Vegetation. the para-ecologists to appreciate the smooth sailing phase in The purpose was to expose the the value of the Groen Sebenza 2014. para-ecologists to other aspects of programme. There are many peo- ple, both young and old, who would Reflections towards the end of biodiversity inventory methodology. love to visit Addo, but some don’t 2013 brought about a positive Although there is still room for im- even know that such places exist change and improved shape to the provement, these courses helped and not everyone can access them. project. The next page has articles to improve their work quality, raised These outings gave an indication from the para-ecologists to illus- awareness about different aspects not only of the jobs that are avail- trate this learning curve. Although of conservation and have helped to able in the conservation sector, but not at the desired pace, the CREW open their eyes to other possibili- also led to a change in mind-set, jet has also taken off! ties. as the para-ecologists thought that Our para-ecologists started in June Groen Sebenza is a jobs fund ini- these places were for wealthy peo- 2013, and as expected in any newly tiative and that means employment ple only. established project, things didn’t for these young men and women Shifting a bit from biodiversity col- begin smoothly. Our challenges is the ultimate goal for all institu- lection, which has been the main ranged from administrative matters tions involved in the programme. In focus since the inception of the pro- to issues of literacy levels. Being light of working towards this goal, ject, during the second half of 2014, determined to make the project we had outings to various conser- we introduced our para-ecologists work, this presented an opportunity vation activities such as a snake to indigenous knowledge research. for us to reflect on the issues and park, Addo Elephant National This is aimed at documenting how best to tackle them. Recom- Park, Cheetahland near Kirkwood cultural, historical and indigenous mendations on how to structure the and the East London Museum. knowledge linked to biodiversity project were then made. Implemen- The motivation was to expose the awareness as well as introducing tations and more implementations para-ecologists to diverse conser- them to research methodologies. were introduced in 2014! A variety vation fields and to give them the The research topics covered are of courses were held to kick-start opportunity to meet workers who sea-food harvesting, bird-lore and hunting, which includes honey harvesting. The research method- ology presented opportunities for both our para-ecologists and their informants to revisit their back- grounds, to unpack issues related to each topic, such as the loss of indigenous knowledge, and to un- cover the unique knowledge each village possesses. Being born and bred in the village doesn’t always guarantee that one will be tradition- ally oriented. Knowledge patterns have been lost with time and other historical processes. Everyone, especially the youth, whether in deep rural villages or not, wants to fit into the modern society. For the project leaders this was an exciting moment. Stories collected by the para-ecologists were indicative of their enthusiasm and passion and have certainly revived pride in their First CREW outing at Botha’s ridge. culture. Read a brief summary on 5 Agathosma bicornuta from Burntkraal. Photo: Tony Dold. Aspalathus recurvispina. Photo: Tony Dold.

each research topic in the para- footsteps, I sought permission from Brachystelma schoenlandianum, ecologists articles. the Grahamstown Military Base, which is thought to be extinct in the within which ‘Burntkraal’ is located, wild, at Redhouse. Nevertheless, Implementation of these projects to gain access to the site. Despite a we collected lots of specimens that presented an opportunity for me to series of telephone calls accompa- we hope will include some interest- get the CREW programme going. nied by a letter of motivation, I am ing finds! In October, I conducted our first still waiting for response from the CREW meeting with the Graham- officials authorised to grant access A week after the PE-Redhouse stown Group. This meeting was to the site. However, other avenues trip, Robert McKenzie, who is an followed by the opening outing to to gain access to the site are also specialist, and I went Botha’s Ridge in search for Ag- being investigated. to Hogsback in search of Macow- athosma bicornuta (Endangered). ania revoluta (Data Deficient). We returned to the site of a previ- Although Botha’s Ridge is one of The field season had already ous collection of M. revoluta from the four populations of the species started when I realised the delay of the outcomes from the Military Hogsback (R.J. McKenzie 2968, 24 recognised on the Red List and Reserve. I cannot begin to imag- September 2012), where a single where the type specimen was col- ine the frustration it would have plant was seen on the slope above lected in 1865, we unfortunately created if I was not based at the the Madonna and Child Waterfall, were unable to relocate this spe- Selmar Schonland Herbarium in but unfortunately we did not find cies. In a Veld and Flora article Grahamstown. Initiating a project of this species. The locality at which published in March 2006, Tony this nature in isolation is definitely a Robert’s 2012 specimen was col- Dold and Terry Trinder-Smith also ‘no go’ route. Fortunately, I am not lected is now heavily infested with reported a failure to relocate this alone! Tony Dold and I undertook aliens, particularly black wattle species at Botha’s Ridge, despite a trip to Port Elizabeth, via Long- (Acacia mearnsii) and bramble several thorough searches. Ac- more State Forest near Uitenhage (Rubus cuneifolius). At the site cording to Tony Dold, a search at and to Redhouse. In Humewood, there is indigenous vegetation in ‘Burntkraal’, which lies between in the Port Elizabeth metropolitan an extremely narrow strip between the two known remaining locali- area, we relocated Aspalathus re- the forest margin and a forestry ties, Botha’s Ridge and Hounslouw curvispina (Critically Endangered); road that runs along the top of the farm, was a desperate attempt, but we were unable to find Lotononis escarpment east of Hogsback vil- to their surprise the plant was suc- monophylla (Critically Endangered) lage. A thorough search of this strip 6 cessfully relocated. Following their at the Longmore State Forest or might locate additional plants of M. revoluta, but there is also en- In conclusion, 30 November 2015 The project has not been easy but croachment of invasive alien plants. marks the end of the Groen Seben- we are truly grateful for the oppor- Identification of sites remote from za contract for our para-ecologists. tunity presented to us and to the disturbance by human settlement We have done our best to prepare para-ecologists. I hope that in 2016 and exotic forest plantations on the them for the job market and we I will be writing about their new Amathole Mountain range (for ex- shall continue to equip them with journeys beyond Groen Sebenza. ample in the Cata and Mt Thomas/ job readiness skills until they finish Kubusi areas) and on the Pirie the project. This will be a moment For the Albany CREW node, this Mountains is needed to search for of reflection for us and an opportu- is a chance to form an army for populations of M. revoluta. nity to document the lessons learnt. threatened species rediscovery!

CREW Update 2014

esmerising landscapes, that because this area is extremely threats affecting the plants in the Mspectacular plants and hot, arid and remote, it is tough and area…and of course to drool over friendly people were three of the can withstand a lot of pressure. the stunning plants! We emerged ingredients to a most amazing The balance in these ecosystems from the trip blown away by the year of CREW work. Sorry to be is more finely tuned than we beauty of the Richtersveld, but a pain about this, but truly, the think and because of the influx also realising that we had a role highlight of the year was our of people, livestock and ruthless to play in making sure this area is expedition to the Richtersveld. mining companies, the Richtersveld conserved. This area is absolutely amazing is taking strain. The botanical and if you have not visited the diversity is quite special, despite We had a very busy year and area I think it is well worth adding the harsh weather conditions. The our major fieldwork started early to your bucket list. Be careful reason for visiting the Richtersveld with an Oxalis species hunt in the though, the Richtersveld is a fragile was to monitor species identified in Nieuwoudtville region. This was and sensitive wonderland. Many the Red List Index process and for very exciting for us because we people have the misconception us to gain an understanding of the had never done fieldwork there in

Moraea atropunctata, a Critically En- dangered species from the Overberg. CREW stand at the Cape Floristic Kingdom expo. 7 April/May, so we were keen to see was found as part of a botanical what was flowering. We focussed study in an EIA process. We visited on the Hantam National Botanical the site with Cape Nature and the Garden and some of the key developers to do a full assessment flower hotspots in Nieuwoudtville of the population. The developers like the Trekpad. Threatened thought we were joking when we species monitored included Oxalis told them about how threatened the massoniana var. massoniana (Data plants where because the bulk of Deficient), Oxalis dines (Vulnerable) the plants were on the try line of an and Oxalis massoniana var. unofficial rugby field. Nevertheless, flavescens (Vulnerable). After two the plants are hanging in there days in Nieuwoudtville collecting and it still remains an important data on Oxalis species, we decide population. In our experience not to take the ‘scenic’ route back to many developers are sympathetic via the Botterkloof to our cause and this one was pass. There were numerous no different. We arranged for the annoying stops to look at which is MSB team to collect seeds just arguably one of the most variable to ensure that we have material Babiana regia with its beautiful red species, Oxalis flava, on the way in case ‘something’ happens centre. to Doornbosch, where we were to the plants. As a result of this hunting for Oxalis lineolata. This we looked at adjacent areas as species is only known from the possible receptor sites if some of type collection made in 1935 and the plants had to be moved and in the Red List training and many previous attempts have been the process discovered a wonderful threatened species field trips at made to relocate the species. Ever botanical gem. The farm directly Stellenbosch University, Nelson hear of that saying: ‘We were at west of the development site had Mandela Metropolitan University the right place at the right time’? similar vegetation and on our two and University of Well we were, and found a small hour walk through the small site we Technology. In addition I presented population growing on the clay flats recorded a whopping 17 threatened a lecture on monitoring and the surrounding Doornbosch. plant species, including another challenges we have conducting detailed monitoring of species. We also stopped on Pakhuis Pass patch of Babiana regia. This incident has made us think again and saw another site endemic, Dewidine has been working about Search and Rescue and the Oxalis oreophila (Critically Rare), through the demographic role that SANBI and the volunteers which is only known to occur at monitoring data that we collect and play in these types of incidents. Pakhuis Pass. It was a fruitful she is analysing the data for some We had a workshop in January trip indeed, with a decent haul of of the species that we monitor. We 2015 to discuss SANBI’s role and threatened species and a species are currently looking at the Euryops although we still have some work to rediscovery. virgatus data from Nieuwoudtville do before having a clear guideline and will use this case study to Our spring time C team trips on how to take this forward, the refine and improve our monitoring also went down really well. One broad consensus is that we cannot projects. Thus far the process of of the highlights was seeing encourage Search and Rescue analysing the data has yielded Moraea atropunctata (Critically as a means of mitigation against some interesting results and it Endangered), which is certainly in the loss of species and habitats. It has stimulated a renewed interest the top five of most stunning plants has to be the last resort and only if I’ve seen. With the help of John all other means of mitigation have in plant population dynamics. Manning, we finally managed to been duly considered. We will have Dewidine, the Indigo team, and find Sparaxis roxburghii (Critically more information and guidance on Eugene Marinus from Hantam Endangered), an extremely these processes in due course. National Botanical Garden will be threatened species known from Watch this space! fine-tuning the monitoring process one site between and and adding more experiments to Clanwilliam. Our aim was to find We attended the Cape Floral better our understanding of this more populations, but alas it seems Kingdom expo in Bredasdorp again species. that the habitat it likes has been and this time we joined forces with Our Groen Sebenza pioneers transformed to citrus orchards. Tony Rebelo and iSpot. This was a have been taking full advantage We will continue and broaden our very successful event and it gave of this opportunity. At the Fynbos search in the future. us a good opportunity to showcase our work and build a closer Forum 2014 in Knysna, our In Stellenbosch a new population relationship with iSpot. Groen Sebenza pioneers made of Babiana regia (Critically us proud by taking top honours Endangered) was discovered. This We worked closely with the at the conference. Dewidine won 8 was a bitter sweet discovery as it universities again and presented the best short talk award for her presentation on the demographic There is more exciting work being Soc), since they were established monitoring of Euryops virgatus. done in the Eastern Cape by within weeks of one another back in Anri and Karin won the prestigious Vathiswa and her team. You can 1913. Whilst the details may have Theo Manual Award for their video read about their achievements in changed over the past century, the on some of the medicinal plants the newsletter. crux of the visionary public–private in Mamre. They interviewed local partnership established in 1913 medicine man, Bertie Jacoman, We had a brilliant year of exploring between SANBI and BotSoc has to get insight into plants from the new areas and finding very special remained steadfast and relevant. veld and their uses for common plants. I have to commend the A formal memorandum of agree- ailments. To see the video go volunteers for their continued ment signed by the two parties is to: https://www.youtube.com/ support and undying passion for in place, cementing this committed watch?v=1zb7M10knXk. conserving our very special flora. partnership and outlining its terms.

A memorandum of agreement is also in place between BotSoc and CREW, who have been working to- gether to champion wildflower con- servation. The CREW programme BotSoc backing offers a great opportunity for involvement and many Bot- Soc members are involved as vol- conservation partner— unteers with the programme, moni- toring our country’s floral gems. BotSoc works in conjunction with CREW News 2015 CREW volunteers to record endan- gered plant species, which helps Catherine Browne, BotSoc Executive Assistant BotSoc and SANBI to identify prior- ity areas for conservation projects and also helps local government in he Botanical Society of ronmental Affairs (DEA). The Bo- their regional planning. Joint mar- TSouth Africa (BotSoc) contin- tanical Society of South Africa (Bot- keting and awareness play a large ues to work with and support the Soc) is an independent, non-profit, role and BotSoc has assisted in a CREW programme. Conserva- non-governmental, membership- number of fund-raising initiatives tion is one of the cornerstones based organisation (NGO). for the CREW programme. Groen of BotSoc, whose mission it is Sebenza pioneers employed by to win the hearts, minds and How do the three, DEA, SANBI and BotSoc are working with the CREW material support of individuals BotSoc fit together you may won- teams nationally. and organisations, wherever der? As stated, SANBI operates they may be, for the conserva- under DEA. With the establishment Support for other initiatives, and tion, cultivation, study and wise of the first National Botanical Gar- partnerships currently on the Bot- use of the indigenous flora and den, Kirstenbosch, the condition of Soc conservation agenda are the vegetation of southern Africa, bequeathing the land to the state following: for the benefit and sharing of all. for this garden was that a civil soci- ety should be formed to safeguard • Cape Peninsula University of BotSoc is becoming a bigger player and support the gardens. Hence Technology Biodiversity and in a number of conservation and 101 years ago Kirstenbosch NBG Conservation Management De- environmental educational capaci- and BotSoc came into being. Bot- partment, with a formal memo- ties. But perhaps we need to set Soc continues to fulfil this agree- randum of understanding in the scene? Not everyone knows ment faithfully and has since ex- place since 2014 and successful how the pieces of the great network tended support to all other SANBI operation to date, supporting puzzle fit so well together. So here National Botanical Gardens across senior students and particularly we attempt to shed some clarity. the country. The Botanical Society facilitating vital fieldwork experi- ence, opportunities and training. Firstly who are the players? The also became involved in floral con- Custodians of Rare and Endan- servation and environmental edu- • CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Part- gered Wildflowers (CREW) fall cation. Much has been written and nership Fund) project and stew- under the Threatened Species Pro- documented regarding the history ardship in KZN in partnership gramme in the Biodiversity Moni- and association between SANBI with KZN-Ezemvelo Wildlife. toring and Assessment unit of the (and its predecessors, the National South African National Biodiversity Botanic Gardens and the National • Groen Sebenza Jobs Fund part- Institute (SANBI). SANBI is a para- Botanic Institute) and South Africa’s nership with SA government and statal operating under the National oldest environmental NGO, the Bo- the Development Bank of Africa, Government Department of Envi- tanical Society of South Africa (Bot- managed by SANBI. 9 • Capacity building through ‘The most important environmental nership Fund) BotSoc sites. The Environmental Impact Assess- issue is one that is rarely men- proclamation process for the na- ment training in partnership with tioned, and that is the lack of a ture reserves has moved slowly, WESSA (Wildlife and Environ- conservation ethic in our culture,’ but Red Desert, Nomalanga and ment Society of South Africa). Gaylord Nelson. Boschberg are very close to be- ing declared. • Overberg Lowlands Conserva- BotSoc and CREW work together I have just got back from a third tion Trust Centre. to attempt to initiate just this, the week at Babanango Valley, a truly much needed paradigm shift, to in- • Branch level initiatives from spectacular area that is home to stil in society passion, interest and hacks, to publications, to out- the Vulnerable Aloe gerstneri. reach projects. involvement in the conservation Since we were measuring both of our precious biodiversity. The grazing and browsing capacities, • Participation in the development partnership between BotSoc and much time was spent in the eve- and implementation of the Na- CREW is a fundamental, strong nings identifying tree specimens tional Strategy for Plant Conser- and ever strengthening one. We using David Johnson’s key to vation for South Africa. wish to thank all CREW volunteers Richard Boon’s wonderful edition and staff for what you do and wish • Partner in the Cape Action for of Pooley’s Trees of KZN. Many People and the Environment you everything of the best in the thanks go to David for later help- (CAPE), working together to years to come. BotSoc believes ing with names for some of the conserve the Fynbos . that through passion, people and ‘mystrees’. An added bonus was a partnerships the possibilities are new record of the Vulnerable Dra- • Maintenance of a close working endless. cosciadium italae, which extends relationship with SANBI to reach its known range southwards by the common goals of looking af- To find out more about the Botani- quite a bit. ter, understanding and preserv- cal Society of South Africa, visit ing our unique natural heritage. www.botanicalsociety.org.za. In November a week in Upper Pon- gola had some good botanical finds (in between counting grasses). In the most asclepiad-rich I’ve ever seen, was new population The Botanical Society of Stenostelma sp. nov. (currently being described by Pieter Bester). Biodiversity Stewardship Project It was so wonderful to see large numbers of Miraglossum pulchel- in KwaZulu-Natal lum and Sisyranthus cf. fanninii.

Isabel Johnson However, the pinnacle of the year had to be a weekend at Phinda. The resident ecologist, Ross ast year was another busy desk-bound, drafting manage- Goode, succeeded in getting some Lyear for me implementing ment plans and writing range- fantastic botanical folk together, Biodiversity Stewardship in land assessment reports for the including William Bond, Richard KZN. Much of 2014 was spent CEPF(Critical Ecosystem Part- Boon, Geoff Nicholls, Elsa Pooley,

Dracosciadium italae [Vulnerable] at 10 Australluma ubomboensis at Munyawana. Babanango. diately. However, your information will be valuable in the assessment of threat of the species. Species posing a threat to our water systems: Currently limited to a single popu- lation each, are Hydrilla verticillata (Pongola/Jozini), and Hydrocleys nymphoides (Howick).

Sagittaria platyphylla populations are known from ± 10 localities in the Durban, Kloof and Pietermaritz- burg areas, whilst S. latifolia is

Getting the ultimate image of Ammocharis coranica. and Lynne and Winston Trollope. few hundred metres everyone We were hosted royally and spent jumped out of the vehicles to ex- two utterly fantastic days explor- amine a new plant! Needless to ing the amazing vegetation of the say, conversation was totally veg- Munyawana Reserve (a Biodiver- etation- and plant-orientated and sity Stewardship site) under Ross’s some wonderful debates were had very enthusiastic and incredibly on plant names, grazing lawns and knowledgeable guidance. Every fire regimes.

Hydrilla verticillata: Sub- Know your enemy... merged narrow with serrated margins and distinc- where are the emerging invaders tive red mid-veins, arranged in in KZN? a whorl.

Reshnee Lalla, with contributions from Menzi Nxumalo & Michael Cheek

he Invasive Species Pro- Here we discuss some of the ISP gramme (ISP) is within the target species and their current Tsame SANBI division as the known populations in KZN. As one CREW programme, but targets can expect with budding invasives, alien species that are still in the it is unlikely that these reflect the process of establishing as inva- full extent of distribution and for sive in our country. that reason we are particularly in- Like CREW, the ISP relies on the terested in reports from new areas. sharp eyes of enthusiastic individu- Some of the species also occur in als who are passionate about the other provinces, so you are encour- environment to help us assess aged to keep your eye out for these Hydrocleys nymphoides: invasive threats to our biodiversity. species wherever you may be in Floating, roundish leaves, with Due to the similar nature of our the country, and report them to us, yellow, cup-shaped flowers. work, CREW and the ISP have a even if you are not 100% sure of strong working relationship, par- the identification (invasivespecies@ ticularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where sanbi.org.za or use regional contact only known to occur in the National we share offices in Durban. Col- details provided at the end). Detec- Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritz- laborative field visits are a common tion of new populations is crucial for burg, where they are being man- practice, as are reports of target effective evaluation and control of aged. We are aware of a number invasive species we receive from invasive species, but bear in mind of populations of Iris pseudacorus CREW volunteers, for which we are that we are still collating data and (yellow flag iris) in Kloof, Pieter- grateful. may not clear the population imme- maritzburg and Howick areas. 11 Iris pseudacorus: Robust, clumping perennial herb that grows in shallow wa- ter and moist soil. Leaves are blue-green and have a raised midrib. Yellow flowers (with brown markings) occur from spring to early summer.

Sagittaria platyphylla: Leaf blades are narrow (lanceolate) with pointed tips, but can be- come broader with age. Small Paspalum quadrifarium: Clumping grass, with bluish leaf colour flowers with three white and yellow centre are formed on flower stalks. Species posing a threat to ter- currently limited to one population restrial areas alongside the Mkhomazi River in the Highover Wildlife Sanctuary. Target species that are currently limited to less than three known Two species of cacti have recently localities: been detected in the province for the first time, in the Zingela area, We could only confirm one popula- namely Opuntia microdasys and tion of Paspalum quadrifarium in the Peniocereus serpentinus. Melmoth area and could not locate an old record of this species in the Rubus ellipticus (yellow Himalayan Karkloof region, but we will contin- raspberry) is a robust cousin of the ue to search. The only naturalised American bramble (R. cuneifolius), population of Paulownia tomentosa and is only known to occur in the (princess tree) that we are aware of, Hillcrest area. Vitex trifolia, a me- in the Howick area, has since been dium to large coastal with li- Sagittaria latifolia: Leaves lac flowers has been detected in the broader than S. platyphylla, removed. We are also interested in and divided into two lobes at localities where this species occurs Southbroom and Tongaat areas. the base. in gardens, as these could become Solidago gigantea occurs in one 12 origins of spread. Mimosa albida is locality in the Sani pass region of Rubus ellipticus: robust shrub with dense, red hairy bristles on stems and branches, and serrated, roundish-elliptic leaves.

Paulownia tomentosa: Tree ± 7 m tall, with hairy, heart- Opuntia microdasys: A gener- shaped leaves and delicate, ally spineless opuntia < 1 m. A light pink flowers. horticultural variety with sharp white bristles exists, but only the yellow form occurs in the wild.

Vitex trifolia: Large, scram- bling shrub with soft, hairy trifoliate leaves, with a pale under-surface. Lilac flowers are produced at the end of purplish stems.

Mimosa albida: Thorny shrub Amanzimtoti to Ballito. Furcraea Peniocereus serpentinus: A that produces pink flower column-like cactus < 4 m, foetida occurs in the Ugu district heads. Leaflets, which are dis- forming dense colonies. municipality region on the south tinctive in shape, close upon Flowers during the night and coast, but a few scattered popu- each other when touched. produces sessile round fruit lations exist in Durban, Verulum, 4 cm in diameter. Shakaskraal, Inanda valley, Mol- weni/Kloof and Pietermaritzburg. the , whilst two popula- The current known distribution of tions of a second Solidago species Target species that are currently Diplocyclos palmatus is limited to (S. altissima) have been detected in known from more than three lo- Kloof and Pietermaritzburg. Hyperi- the Hilton and Kokstad regions. Pu- calities: cum pseudohenryi is invading areas eraria montana (kudzu vine) is cur- in the KZN Midlands and Drakens- rently known from one population in Most of the Triplaris americana berg. Crotalaria agatiflora is limited Eshowe and a second population in (ant tree) populations seem to be to a few naturalised populations Cedara. confined to the coastal region from near Howick. 13 Pueraria montana: Large trifoliate leaves, with distinctive lobed shape, dense hairs on stems, and elongated pods

Solidago gigantea: Perennial herb < 2 m, that prefers moist soils. Yellow conical inflores- cence often leans to one side. Stems are generally hairless. Crotalaria agatiflora: Large (< 6 m), sprawling, evergreen shrub, with char- acteristic canary-bird shaped flowers, which are greenish-yellow or lime green in colour.

Solidago altissima: Perennial herb < 2 m, found in moist or well-drained soils. Yellow, coni- cal is ascending. Triplaris americana: Pyramidal, erect tree (< 15 m), with slender trunk, Stems are often hairy. and dark pink or rust-coloured female flowers. 14 Furcraea foetida: Succulent with light green, sword-shaped leaves, arranged in a whorl on a very short stem. The leaves are arched, and often bend, and rarely have marginal thorns. Green globular bulbils are produced on tall (±8–10 m) florescent flower- ing stalks.

Table 1. Names of emerging invasive alien plants (IAPs) highlighted in this article

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Crotalaria agatiflora Canary bird bush Diplocyclos palmatus Lollipop climber Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla Furcraea foetida Mauritius hemp

Hypericum pseudohenryi: Shrub with opposite, oblong-ovate Hydrocleys nymphoides Water poppy green leaves. Large yellow flowers; young fruit reddish turning Hypericum pseudohenryi Henry’s St John’s brown. wort Iris pseudacorus Yellow flag iris Mimosa albida Opuntia microdasys Bunny-ear cactus Paulownia tomentosa Princess tree Paspalum quadrifarium Tussock paspalum Peniocereus serpentinus Serpent cactus Pueraria montana Kudzu vine Rubus ellipticus Yellow Himalayan raspberry Triplaris americana Ant tree Solidago altissima Goldenrod Solidago gigantea Goldenrod Sagittaria platyphylla Delta arrowhead Diplocyclos palmatus: Climber with palmate leaves with fine hairs and pale under-surfaces. Almost round, striped fruit, turns to red Sagittaria latifolia Broadleaf arrowhead and white when mature. Vitex trifolia Beach vitex 15 Table 2. Contact details for ISP regional units

Regional unit Contact person E-mail address Telephone number/s KwaZulu-Natal Reshnee Lalla [email protected] +27 31 207 6480/2 Eastern Cape Kanyisa Jama [email protected] +27 43 726 7450 Western Cape Ernita van Wyk [email protected] +27 21 799 8678 Northern Cape Travor Xivuri [email protected] +27 21 799 8406 Mpumalanga Bongani Mashele [email protected] +27 13 752 6504 Limpopo and North West provinces Peter Shisani [email protected] +27 12 843 5013 Gauteng and Free State provinces Dan’sile Cindi [email protected] +27 12 843 5152

The Invasive Species Programme is based within the South African National Biodiversity Institute and is funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Uit die bossies in die water!

Shannon Parring & Donna Kotze

ndigo Development & Change BEEP BEEP! That was the sound through their fingers, judging by the Iin collaboration with SANBI of the taxi picking up a few chil- hastiness of the tiny frames. ‘Is jy CREW organised a fun-filled dren in the early morning of what reg? Is jy reg?’ shouted one of the three-day programme for this was forecasted to be a 37°C day facilitators through the window of year’s summer school, with the in Nieuwoudtville. With some of the taxi, with music going full blast highlight being an excursion to the children still wiping the sleep in the background, finally slamming Strandfontein along the west from their eyes, this was not an the door shut to take us on our two- coast. opportunity that was going to slip hour journey to Strandfontein on the west coast.

Sunscreens, hats, shades...oh and let’s not forget about the food! We journeyed onwards to reach our destination with children singing and bouncing to the beat of the music. The moment the taxi came to a standstill, children were climb- ing over one another to be the first to open the taxi door, ready to ex- plore.

We had conversations covering topics from the rise in the sea level to mussel harvesting and conser- vation. An old man from also admitted he does his own harvesting every now and then. We played games on the beach and had an interactive lifeguard ses- sion, all with twinkling sand and ice cold water running over our feet. 16 Learners getting ready to board the taxi to the beach. Splashing in the sea, we had the was. Nogtans was daar op plek- ke baie mooi blomme. Die seisoen was gekenmerk deur die soek van baie skaars spesies. Eerste op die lys was Hessea mathewsii. Tans is ons net bewus van een plek waar dit groei. Onge- lukkig is dit teen dorp en is die druk om daar te ontwik- kel baie hoog. Die ander lokaliteite waar dit in die verlede gekry was, is dus weer besoek, maar sonder enige sukses. Kenneth Oberlander het ons be- soek om na ons Oxalis spesies te Learning and fun going hand-in-hand. kyk. As voorbereiding vir sy besoek het ons Oxalis spesies gaan soek en toe kry ons Hessea mathewsii taste of salt in our mouths before of the learners had never had the met nog een plantjie wat een blom- we enjoyed lunch prepared with opportunity to be this close to the metjie het. In 2015 sal ons bepaal the meat from our local butcher in beach, in contrast to experienc- hoeveel plante daar is. Nieuwoudtville. With full tummies ing nature in Nieuwoudtville. This Volgende op die lys was Moraea we went exploring the community was another side of nature that the loubseri. Ismail het van die Kaap of Strandfontein. While walking, learners could enjoy! With the sun gekom met ‘n groep van die CREW one of the boys expressed how almost setting on the horizon, we kantoor en Millenium Seedbank, lucky he felt to be part of the day. were leaving with our hearts filled sowel as Patrick Fraser, Carina For us it was a day full of heart- with beautiful memories from this Lochner, en die Weskus Biosfeer warming emotions, because some special day. Fosielpark het drie verteenwoor- digers gestuur om die veldtog by te woon. ‘n Gebied naby aan die plek waar M.loubseri groei is deur- soek, maar ons was tien dae te laat as gevolg van te min reën en Weskus CREW 2014 omdat die grond-tipe nie dieselfde is as ander plekke waar die spe- sie groei nie. Dit was nogtans ‘n Koos Claassens pragtige stuk sandveld en ‘n hele paar skaars spesies is gekry, onder ie blomjaar het baie be- nooit groot genoeg hoeveelhede andere cinereum, Dlowend gelyk want die reën reën geval om ekstra vog op te Ampithalea ericifolia, Xiphotheca het gereeld gekom en die grond bou nie. Die gevolg was dat die reflexa en hypo- het nat gebly, maar daar het blomseisoen korter as normaal phyllopodendron.

Die uiters skaars Hessea mathews- Lampranthus vernalis in volle blom. ii. 17 Die span rus vir middagete na ‘n soektog vir Moraea loubseri. Indigofera platypoda, bedreig deur die myn aktiwiteite. Feitlik al die kalkveld by kans is. Sover ek bewus is, weet is in die sestiger jare van die vorige ons van twee klein kolletjies waar toe op ‘n aangrensende plaas waar eeu deur ‘n myn maatskappy opge- Indigofera platypoda voorkom. Ons dieselfde habitat is gaan soek, en koop om te myn vir die maak van was nie baie lank aan die gang ‘n baie mooi groep plante gekry. sement. Die afgelope jare is die voor Ismail die eerste I. platypoda myn groep baie angstig om met die gekry het nie. Aan die einde van Die motto van 2014 se storie is: bly mynbou te begin. Die gedeelte wat die dag het ons heelwat daarvan altyd aanhou om te soek, miskien hulle wil myn bevat heelwat uiters gekry, maar die hartseer is dat die is jy nie altyd suksesvol nie, mis- skaars spesies. Ons het toe weer gebied waarskynlik gemyn gaan kien was jy nie op die regte plek op die gebied besoek want dit kan word. Die voordeel was dat dit in die regte tyd nie, maar daar is altyd mos wees dat dit dalk ons laaste ‘n besonderse habitat groei. Ek het nog iets wat jy kan kry.

Piketberg: Gem of the Swartland

Dewidine van der Colff

n 2013 was identified natural and pristine, particularly Leanne Dreyer to increase our Ias a botanical hotspot outside an area known as ‘Die Plaat’. It is chances of finding specials. a protected area, based on anal- a large area of land owned by the yses done by Lize von Staden Moravian Church on the top of the We (Anri Marias, Kenneth, Leanne (Threatened Species Programme mountain. This site is unofficially and myself) had an Oxalis run, – Pretoria). known as the Moravian Nature stretching from Piketberg to Jacobsbaai on 18 and 19 June Even before these analyses, it was Reserve and hopefully will soon become an official conservation 2014. We arrived in Piketberg all clear to many botanists that this excited and ready for action. We place is special. Acocks made his area, as part of the Cape Nature met up with our local botanical way through Piketberg and botanist Stewardship programme. Taking enthusiast, Angela Langton, and Peter Linder spent his childhood the lead from the 2013 botanical headed for the veld. The weather there. More recently, the likes of hotspots analysis, the CREW C played along for most of the day, Charles Stirton, John Manning team set out in 2014 to increase but right after we made a specimen and our favoured environmental data collections in this area. The collection of an unknown Oxalis consultant, Nick Helme, trot off more compelling reason was that a species, the clouds gave in on there ever so often. section of the mountain had burned earlier that year. We visited the us and it started to pour. We The mountain valleys are widely site as often as possible to identify suspect that the specimen could used by farmers for orchards and track fire ephemeral species. be Oxalis pallens (Endangered) and other agricultural activities, We invited experts such as John or the long lost Oxalis fragalis 18 however large sections are still Manning, Kenneth Oberlander and (Critically Endangered – Possibly The breath-taking Gladiolus insolens.

Kenneth Oberlander on his knees looking at an Oxalis species. the community. The officials are aware of its conservation value and are working hard to secure the site. Extinct). The identification of this know the day could get even better, However, threats are always lurking specimen has been a long and with the discovery of a potentially and some aliens are present. The arduous process. Keying it out is new species. John people of Piketberg need to be very difficult and we hope to solve Manning had everybody ecstatic more involved and therefore a true the mystery shortly, though another when he didn’t recognise this champion is needed for this area. possibility is that it’s a new species, species. The participants went Any volunteers? The CREW team but we will report on that later. After along with the mere hope of seeing is looking forward to working with this collection, we continued along G. insolens, but then left with way the muddy gravel road towards more than they bargained for. interested farmers and community , where we recorded members to provide them with a range extension for Oxalis The future of the Piketberg further information about how to uliginosa (Endangered). Mountain can only look bright with conserve their natural veld and how the enthusiasm and excitement of to get involved. When we (Brittany Arendse and I) returned in November, the veld was much livelier with more flowering plants. This time we had no specialist with us, so spotting those specials was just a little tougher. Darling group We worked diligently and followed procedures to collect specimens Helen Preston when we thought we might have something interesting to examine later or to submit to the Compton he year started with an and herbarium. We found Agathosma Turgent appeal from Ismail to area where there are plants of trichocarpa (Vulnerable) and many, look for Marasmodes oubinae at conservation concern. many different Aspalathus species. Tienie Versfeld Reserve or Oude Some of the places we visited We identified as many as possible Post farm where it had been were three sites within Yzerfontein and the really difficult ones were recorded in the sixties. collected and some were posted on and both reserves at Darling and iSpot. Eight of us walked all day in mid- Burgher’s Post farm to find Hessea May with no success, but we think cinnamomea (Endangered) after The highlight of the Piketberg we should have been looking the first rains. We received a Mountain for the year must be earlier in March or April, which we special invitation from the manager finding the ever elusive Gladiolus will try to do this year. of Private Nature insolens (Vulnerable), with its Reserve, Steyn Marais, who exhilarating red petals. The Our walking group started with bi- took us all over the reserve to rewarding discovery, lurking among monthly walks for June, increasing walk within the varied veld types. the drab-looking , awaited to weekly walks in July because Special species found included Wendy Paisley and John Manning we realised there was so much to Amphithalea ericifolia subsp. who joined Ismail and Gigi on this see and places to re-visit. All the erecta (Critically Endangered) and memorable hunt. Little did they walks were at sites in the Darling, Agathosma glabrata (Endangered). 19 Rondeberg Private Nature Reserve We also visited Baarhuis farm in Now that we are officially retired, is an old time favourite site for us early October, where we found my husband and I spend a lot of and this year Carol Duckitt took us many plants of Lampranthus time walking in the open spaces on a long walk to find some of the coccineus (Critically Endangered), in Langebaan. We discovered specials, which included Gladiolus Lachenalia purpureo-caerulea two sites that are packed with quadrangulus (Endangered), (Critically Endangered), special plants, the most exciting flowering in profusion. We visited darlingensis (Critically species being Lampranthus Tienie Versfeld Reserve a few Endangered), and a new red aureus (Endangered), a new times to find the plants flowering at Indigofera, which still needs to be population of Wiborghiella different times. identified. dahlgrenii (Endangered), and in late December, some Aspalathus recurva (Vulnerable).

The private reserves on Waylands and Oude Post farms were ablaze with colour from August to October, with many of the specials easily seen by the public when driving along the track. Sheets of Geissorhiza radians (Endangered) and Romulea eximia (Endangered) never disappoint the visitors.

I have managed to master iSpot and have had a few special identifications done. The highlights are Indigofera platypoda (Endangered) from Yzerfontein, where the plant is in grave danger of being dug up soon; Indigofera langebaanensis from both Yzerfontein and Langebaan in the coastal Strandveld; Ruschia diversifolia in the Renosterveld near Darling; and a single Oxalis stictocheila (Endangered) at Tienie Versfeld Reserve.

We thank Ismail and the CREW office for keeping us focused Hessea cinnamomea at Burgher’s Post farm and for all the information readily available when needed.

20 The beautiful Gladiolus quadrangulus. Lampranthus coccineus veld at Baarhuis farm. Friends of Tygerberg Hills CREW

Hedi Stummer

n the past year FOTH CREW nity to revisit Schoongezicht Farm has made an important contribu- Imanaged over 50 outings to (off the N7, near Philadelphia). tion to raising the conservation 29 different sites ranging from This farm is being considered for profile of this site. We were able to Milnerton, Goodwood and our stewardship and the information add more than 60 species to the own Tygerberg, to Durbanville, we have collected on this farm existing plant list, five of which are Blaauwberg, Philadelphia, Wel- lington, Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Brackenfell areas, with occasional trips as far out as Piketberg. We looked at Sand Plain Fynbos, Dune Strandveld, Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Silcrete Renos- terveld, Granite Renosterveld as well as Alluvium Fynbos and Sand- stone Fynbos, and it has thus been an interesting year indeed.

Highlights of the Year Briers Louw Nature Reserve (a reserve for the specific conserva- tion of the geometric tortoises) had four visits from us with astonishing results. Although we have been monitoring this reserve for some years, we are constantly add- ing more species to the existing plant list as well as discovering more threatened species growing there. Our additions to the list in- clude Lampranthus reptans (Near Newly inspired CREW Blouberg group. Threatened), Trianoptiles solitaria (Critically Endangered), Lotononis prostrata (Near Threatened), Pel- argonium asarifolium (Vulnerable), Pelargonium chelidonium (Endan- gered), Wachendorfia brachyandra (Endangered), Geissorhiza furva (Endangered), Moraea mutila (Vulnerable), Moraea ogamana (Critically Endangered), Isoetes stellenbossiensis (Near Threat- ened), Restio duthieae (Vulnerable) and Anthospermum ericifolium (Endangered). Of the 454 species on the list, 85 are threatened and all are located in an area less than a square kilometre in size. We re- cently found new species of Drimia and Annesorhiza there.

Working with the Environmental management branch of the gave us the opportu- Moraea ogama at Briers Low Nature Reserve. 21 threatened: Pauridia pygmaea (En- dangered), Pauridia alba (Vulner- able), Otholobium uncinatum (Near Threatened), Aspalathus varians (Endangered) and Lampranthus amoenus (Critically Endangered).

Two visits were made to Joosten- bergkloof Farm near Klipheuwel. We added 54 species to , including seven species of con- servation concern: capi- tata (Endangered), Pelargonium viccifolium (Endangered), Watsonia strictiflora (Critically Endangered), Monopsis variifolia (Endangered), Phylica thunbergiana (Endan- gered), Cliffortia acockii (Critically Endangered) and Anthospermum ericifolium (Endangered). This Leucadendron levisanus flourishing at Durbanville Racecourse. brings the number of rare and threatened species on that tiny site to 45. This site also has the last hundred years as it is now evident As in previous years, a generous surviving population of eight that they need the fire to germinate amount for petrol money was do- odorata plants. and flower. nated to us by the Friends of Tyger- We were fortunate in being able to berg Hills. This has helped consid- Lastly, we were asked to help assist the Ecological Officer at the erably in reaching further-out lo- Stellenbosch Municipality looking identify plants and establish a spe- calities and is greatly appreciated. at sites in the surrounding area. cies list for the new walking trail at Also a round of thanks to the FOTH Working at Mont Rochelle Nature Blaauberg Nature Reserve. This CREW members Gurli Armbruster, Reserve in Franschhoek, we were instigated renewed interest in the Sandra de Swardt, Melda Goets, lucky to find a possible new spe- area and members of the Blaauw- Keith Breetzke, Veronica Straub, cies of Hippia (Asteraceae). At berg Friends Society joined us on Ursula Aldini and Kay Loubser for Papegaaiberg in Stellenbosch, a the walks with the result that a new their dedication and commitment in new species of Hermannia was CREW group has been formed un- helping to conserve our precious discovered, now named Hermannia der the leadership of FOTH CREW natural vegetation. VIVA CREW, cinerariifolia for its round leaves. member, Kay Loubser. VIVA! And finally Wemmershoekvlei, with five critically endangered species on the list, has now been secured as a reserve and will be protected for the future. CREW We visited Durbanville Racecourse to look for Pterygodium cruciferum (Endangered) and were happy to Hottentots Holland see at least a hundred plants in flower. At the same time we noted Cecilia Wolmarans that the population of Leucaden- dron levisanus had increased from Our branch had a wonderful year Concern), Merciera tetraloba (En- only nine plants in 2004 to about 40 of successful field trips. In previ- dangered), Protea scolymocephala plants in 2014, all flowering and ex- ous years we did not have outings (Vulnerable) and Lachnaea grandi- tremely healthy – a great success! during the hot times of the year, flora (Vulnerable). We contributed We have monitored Argyrolobium but this year I decided to start our two additional species to the official angustissimum on Paarl Mountain activities early. It also came to light Harmony Flats plantlist. for the fifth year running and al- that the floral records for Harmony though there were more plants in Flats at this time of year were In February we went to Schapen- 2014, they were much smaller and severely lacking, so this was our berg and once again found that had fewer flowers than previous first priority. This seemingly grey records for this time of year were years. It is no surprise that they piece of veld delivered treasures lacking – we added 22 species to 22 seemed to disappear for over a like Ammocharis longifolia (Least our plant list for Schapenberg. The very rare argenteus.

been eradicated. On a subsequent Hottentots Holland CREW team at Vergelegen. visit to the farm in June, another 30 species was added to our list of Later in February we went to the highlight of this day was finding 236 species for the farm. On this Lourensford farm. On this occas- four orchids, none of which was occasion the PR person of the farm joined us and as a result an article sion we took the whole day to go threatened, but orchids are always on our activities appeared in the right around this beautiful valley, a special. local newspaper. long distance for enthusiastic ama- In March we visited Hans-se-Kop. ture botanists. Our first stop was We decided to assist the City of We entered the area on the Elgin to check on kraussii (Vul- Cape Town’s Biodiversity team in Club side and worked our way to- nerable), which was not in flower compiling a species list for a patch wards the mountain. As soon as at this time of year, but I wanted of veld in the Strand area, called we left the pine plantations behind, to make sure that the area was Morkel’s Cottage. Although it is in we were astonished at the diversity not developed. They were there in close proximity to Harmony Flats, around us. March is not supposed abundance, but the encroaching the soil is different and species to be a good time for flowers but pines and bluegums pose a con- have been spotted here that do not tinuous threat to this species. We there was something to be seen in occur on Harmony Flats. We visited continued on to Grootnek and ex- every nook and cranny. We parked Morkel’s Cottage in July, Septem- plored the cleared slopes towards our cars at the viewpoint and ber, October and November. There Helderberg and then moved on walked up to the towers. The views is clear evidence of harvesting on along the contours of the moun- from the top of the mountain were this property, and I fear that some tains. We had lunch in the shady spectacular. On this trip we found of the plants could be under threat. forest with Ilex mites (Declining), Kogelbergia verticillata (Rare), We found Moraea angulata (Criti- Podocarpus latifolius and Halleria prolifera (Endangered), not cally Endangered), Geissorhiza lucida trees. I was very pleased to to mention the special effort Carina setacea (Endangered), Moraea find Agapanthus africanus again. made to find Mimetes argenteus tricolor (Endangered), lots of ba- We stopped and explored often – (Endangered). Under the micro- bianas, Echiostachys spicatus (En- so much so that we found we could scope Erica jacksoniana (Rare) dangered), Lachnaea grandiflora only cover half of what we originally was revealed. It was a wonderful (Vulnerable), Monsonia speciosa planned. By 4:00 that afternoon we day topped by finding amazing (Endangered), to name a few. We were quite tired and decided to do threatened species. will continue to monitor this area. Diepgat and the rest of the north- facing mountains on another day. At the end of 2013 we found an We also had the opportunity to visit unknown plant at Vergelegen and the Rheinmetall site in Somerset We returned to Lourensford in Au- Carina posted it on iSpot early in West. We are unfamiliar with the gust. This time we only explored 2014. This entry was spotted by the sandy soil of this coastal property the south-facing slopes along the Cape Town Invasive Species Unit and we found it quite challenging. Landdrostkloof area. On this oc- and identified as Genista monspes- There were lots of vygies that can casion we added an astonishing sulana (Montpellier broom). We vis- only be identified when they set 45 species to an already compre- ited the farm with the team in April seed, so there is a lot of follow-up hensive list of 133 species! The and I am glad to report that it has to be done on this site. Neverthe- 23 less, we did manage to list 66 spe- cies under these difficult circum- stances.

Unfortunately it has become quite dangerous to walk in certain areas. Recent attacks on Sir Lowry’s Pass prevented us from exploring the track up to the wagon tracks. Many species on our target list occur in this specific area. We were privi- leged that the owners of Bezweni Lodge agreed that we could come and explore on their farm. Our first visit in October was not as excit- ing as expected, but as we do not know this property well, I am sure that subsequent visits will expose secret hideaways. We listed 113 species on our first visit. The best find was Serruria kraussi in full bloom.

In November I had the opportunity to do a presentation to the local branch of the Wildlife and Environ- Team after a hard day’s work at Bezweni Lodge. ment Society on our activities since 2011. The presentation was well received and we hope to increase Thank you to everybody who par- ment and hard work, and I am our membership numbers substan- ticipated in our activites. CREW proud to say that our members are tially in 2015. take a lot of dedication, commit- eager to participate.

Highlights from Kogelberg CREW

Amida Johns

n mid-August the Kogelberg species, being a daisy, was a little ICREW members had their first more challenging until we reached and potentially most exciting of- the Cederberg Formation shale ficial outing. band and spotted a possible yellow flowered suspect. (Yellow seemed The specific target was to gather to be the colour for the day!) After data on two local endemics of the some enthusiastic pulling apart of Babilonstoring Mountain: Gnidia a flower head, we decided the fea- sonderiana and Euryops lasiocla- tures fitted the taxonomic descrip- dus. Gnidia sonderiana is a mem- tion of the Critically Rare Euryops ber of the Thymelaeaceae family lasiocladus. Our outing was thank- and is listed as Endangered, with a fully turning out well. Not surpris- single population recorded from the ingly we were also delighted to see western end of Babilonstoring. Our the lovely Endangered Serruria fact-finding mission found that the meisneriana coming into flower and species was relatively common on a host other Least Concern Pro- both sandstone and shale-derived teaceae species. A very delicate soils within the middle extent of this Adenandra brachyphylla lookalike mountain range. The species was drew our attention and it was col- easily discernible by its bright yel- lected for further examination at the 24 Euryops lasiocladus. low hairy flowers. The other target . Haarwegskloof welcomes it when CREW members and research- ers visit the Renosterveld. There are self-catering facilities for those wanting to spend more than a day there. See www.overbergrenos- terveld.co.za. In December a Lachenalia was in flower, possibly Lachenalia youngii, many kilometres away from its known distribution in the southern Cape, and flowering later than that population. Around Napier we saw Gladiolus overbergensis (Vulnerable) on a farm off the Sandy’s Glen road. This species only flowers after fire, or as we discovered, after the Dainty and delicate Gnidia sonderiana. land has been ploughed for Protea orchards. On our visit to the farm Vierfontein, we found Otholobium On a more personal note, I finally ties in the to Caledon thomii (Endangered) and Tritoni- got see a live Muraltia stokoei after area. I also saw the lovely short- opsis bicolor (Vulnerable). Napier years of hopeful inspection of all tubed flower of what was previously Mountain is one of our favourite too similar plants. This species is known as the ‘Erica longifolia-com- botanising spots and finding Erica listed as Rare and is only known plex’, namely Erica viscaria subsp. recurvata (Critically Endangered), from a handful of historical locali- gallorum. which continues to be an amazing rock-dweller, is always a wonderful sighting. On the Akkedisberg we saw the magnificent Erica shanno- nii (Data Deficient – Taxonomically News from the Napier CREW Problematic) with its long porcelain- like floral tubes.

Rhoda McMaster There are some observations worth noting outside our territory. For his past year has been rather Centre was opened at a prestigious example, on the Calvinia–Tanqua road, we saw the lovely yellow quiet, apart from the con- launch in spring) we saw Protea T Geissorhiza corrugata (Rare) and tributions from the Overberg decurrens (Endangered) and Gladi- on a road verge near Paternoster, Lowlands Conservation Trust olus vandermerwei (Endangered) Lachenalia mathewsii (Critically with Odette Curtis driving the as well as a number of other most Endangered) surviving herbicide research. interesting plants, including several that the farmer sprayed on the strip On the farm Haarwegskloof (where different species of Eriospermum. of veld next to his crops. On a farm the new Renosterveld Research The Research Centre at south of Touws River, it was inter-

Odette and the Cape Town team at Haarwegskloof. A rodent pollinated Protea decurrens. 25 esting to see Tylecodon reticulatus new member from Swellendam, and Tylecodon wallichii growing Willemina de Wet, keen to photo- in the same area, with a natural graph plants around the Marloth hybrid flourishing there as well! On hiking trails. These are identified as the nearby Anysberg Reserve (a far as possible from the available hotspot for many rare species) we handbooks and posted to iSpot. found Carissa haematocarpa (Not We plan to meet regularly to put the evaluated). photographic records into usable forms for CREW. We are looking for new volunteers Jill Blignaut continues her high to join the Napier CREW so that a altitude collection from the Lange- more structured approach can be Gladiolus overbergensis growing in the berg and extended her collecting put in place for 2015. middle of a protea orchard. from Horingberg (January 2014) to Garcia pass (October 2014), including rangers from Grootva- dersbosch Reserve. Several rare species were recorded, including Agathosma umbonata (Rare). The News from Swellendam old year was seen out with a hike to Middelrivierberg and along the Swellendam hiking trail. We hoped and Barrydale CREW to reach Vensterbank, but it was just too hot to make it all the way. Flora Cameron We also hoped to find the elusive Pachites appressa (Rare) since the area burnt two years ago, but alas he most exciting event of the Recruitment of CREW members it didn’t show itself. We at least saw Tyear for Swellendam was the was once again attempted through Acrolophia capensis (Least Con- opening of the Overberg Low- walks with the Barrydale hiking cern) and Disa cardinalis (Rare). lands Trust Research and Visitor club, Dendrological society of A flowering Cliffortia lanceolata Centre at Haarwegskloof. It is Swellendam and a presentation to (Rare) was an exciting find. Jill is amazing to see Odette’s dream the Swellendam Garden Club. Al- being assisted by Tony Rebelo realised and her dedication to though a lot of interest is shown in and Ismail to ensure that her col- saving the Renosterveld recog- seeing the plants of the area, most lection data are captured in a use- nised. people are not keen to get involved ful form for future reference. Her The Renosterveld around Barry- in knowing and recording them. records have already proved to be dale is threatened by alien invasive However, we have one enthusiastic extremely useful to plant collectors plants and farming practices over the past 300 years that have not been conducive to conservation. This has a major impact on a very important water catchment area of the Langeberg. Work is in progress to form a conservancy in Barrydale and the farms in the valley. Based on the success of the Overberg Lowlands Conservation Trust (OLCT), one of our aims in 2015 is to involve the farmers in surveys to show them the wonderful diversity and value of their veld. The Groot- vadersbosch conservancy to the south of the Langeberg has man- aged to get funding for the develop- ment of hiking and biking trails with a view to financing invasive alien clearing and other conservation ac- tivities. This is also an example of what can be achieved if the farmers 26 work together. Peter and Jill on the top of Lemoenshoek peak. visiting the area, including Profes- Interaction with fellow plant peo- their proposed hiking trails. The sor Charles Stirton. ple remains a very crucial part of farm is situated at the base of the CREW outings and in the process Langeberg near Arangieskop west There are a few areas of arid we were made aware of two plants of Robertson and the land extends Renosterveld and transition veld that are rarely seen. Judd Kirkel, to the top of the range. The rehabil- around Barrydale that we moni- a visiting horticulturist, opened itation involved mainly proteaceous tor regularly. In the process a new our eyes to Bulbine mesembry- fynbos and Hildegard was able to site for Bartholina etheliae (Least anthoides (Least Concern); found give advice about species, seed Concern) was found. It favours growing next to Disa sagittalis in a collection and planting. We have pallens or locality that would otherwise have not had the time to do the surveys as ‘nurse’ plants and is usually been overlooked. Healthy popula- yet. tucked underneath them together tions of Muiria hortenseae (Criti- Hildegard had the opportunity to do with Holothrix secunda (LC). The cally Endangered) together with a presentation on the need for or- display was not as Gibbaeum heathii were reported by chid conservation at the World Or- spectacular as last year and the Catherine Arthur, a visiting photog- chid Conference held in Sandton, search continues to distinguish rapher. Drosanthemum micans (Endan- September 2014. This is only the gered) from D. speciosum. It seems Once again the children (8 to 12 second time that this international that natural hybridisation is taking years old) from ‘Net vir Pret’ were conference has come to South place or they are just variants of the taken for an hour-and-a-half walk in Africa. Emphasis was placed on same species. Watch this space! the veld close to their school. The the volunteer work done by CREW, emphasis for the year was their the resulting data collected and the During our regular Sunday morn- Khoisan ancestry, so we could dis- necessity of making the general public aware of the need for orchid ing walks in May and June we cuss the respect these people had conservation in South Africa. It has searched in vain for Oxalis anom- for their environment and the plants been found that the general public ala (Data Deficient – Insufficient that were useful to them for vari- does not even know what an orchid Information) around the Barrydale ous medicinal or other purposes. is, and that they are critical indica- koppies. We were rewarded by Of course it has to be stressed that tors of the biodiversity and general sightings of Veltheimia capensis picking of plants without permission health of the veld. We will endeav- (Least Concern) flowering beauti- is not allowed! fully, Syringodea longituba (Not our to do similar presentations to evaluated) in minute cracks in the The ranger on Orange Grove Farm the local Vroue Landbouvereniging, shale, Trichodiadema burgeri (Vul- near Robertson approached us to farmers’ meetings, garden clubs, nerable) and other Oxalis species help with rehabilitation of the veld etc. we need to identify. and identification of plants along Our New Year resolution is to complete the organising of the data collected to date, and to not regard our outings as finished until the forms have been filled in for CREW.

Muiria hortenseae (Critically Endangered) growing on the quartz fields. Drosanthemum speciosa. 27 News from Outramps CREW

Di Turner

always start this article with Ithe statistics and this year it is going to be no different. The year 2014 was a hugely suc- cessful and it is difficult to imagine how we can achieve another year like this: • 21 107 iSpot observations (Nicky van Berkel has posted a massive 9 881 observations). • 3 members of the Outramps in the top 5 iSpot globally. • 450 site sheets on iSpot since the workshop in May 2014. • 80 special plants new to the Outramps were monitored. Charles and Abubakar enjoying the southern Cape. • 3 new species named after members of the group. • 1 new species named after the Outramps. • 16 out of 30 priority target spe- cies monitored.

In order to achieve these figures, the field trips came thick and fast. I will start with our youngest member Brian du Preez, a.k.a. ‘The Boy’. He was busy with his Saasveld Practical in the Eastern Cape. He worked and explored in Baviaans- kloof and did extensive work on the Wild Coast. The startling figure for 80 new specials was in no small measure due to his exploration of this very under-explored area. He catalogued plants, butterflies, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, lichens, fungi and all things to do with the ocean. He found a couple Pteronia hutchinoniana at Rooiberg. of new plant species, and some more may emerge as the experts Outramps took a dip this year with Our first field trip for the year was sift through his collections. His the addition of Sally Adam; we now a brilliant choice. It was a swelter- iSpot observations now stand at stand at an average of 61 years. ing day in both Oudtshoorn and 4 815, which is the third highest Weekly field trips were maintained George. On the summit ridge that total on iSpot globally. He has con- and there were some amazing leads to Albertsberg from the top of tributed hugely to a better knowl- the Swartberg Pass, a cool breeze edge of the plants and creatures overnight trips. During spring we that inhabit the Eastern Cape. cranked up the pace and often did kept the temperature down to very two overnight trips a month. Here comfortable levels. The magnifi- Back in the southern Cape, the are some of the highlights of the cent views and plants were like a rest of us were also working like amazing expeditions we had in breath of fresh air. It was so good 28 beavers. The average age of the 2014… to be back in the mountains again. I love the indigenous forest and the wasn’t very long, but at times it was we decided that our Pteronia was a coastal plains, but the Swartberg fairly challenging. Every time that . It was on the way back, takes some beating. And so do the Jan talks plants, I am awestruck. that another Pteronia-like plant plants. At times there were sheets His knowledge is encyclopaedic, caught our attention. Once again of watsonias from almost white, his passion is contagious and his the hand lenses came out and the through to pale pink, orange, scar- stories about the plants are end- discussion raged. The ‘Vlok’-book let and magenta. lessly fascinating. His ability to was hauled out of the pack… ‘Do avoid tricky botanical language the smooth leaves have bristly We had an excellent haul for the when he talks to amateurs is leg- hairs on the margins?’ This is one day. Protea montana (Vulnerable), endary. He must be regarded as of the distinguishing features of Leucadendron dregei (Endan- one of the foremost modern botani- Pteronia hutchinsoniana. Well we gered), Berkheya francisci (Rare), cal explorers. Some of the threat- thought they did. And later Jan Vlok Otholobium swartbergense (Rare) ened species we recorded included confirmed that we had found it. A and sp. nov. ‘kougaensis’ Babiana karooica (Vulnerable), little further on we saw Agathosma (Rare), to mention a few, Haworthia bayeri (Endangered), sp. nov. ‘roodebergensis’ (Rare). Manulea derustiana (Vulnerable) In February, Profs Charles Stirton Its distinctive leaf structure has and many others. and Muthama Muasya, as well as hopefully found a niche in my brain. Abubakar Bello, who is doing his A couple of abortive attempts to Closer to the gate we were once PHD at UCT, arrived at the farm. find Pteronia hutchinsoniana (Rare) again stopped dead in our tracks; Ismail Ebrahim, our co-ordinator sent us off on the Jeep track, head- with the sun shining brightly, a cou- from CREW, Rupert Koopman from ing west across the Rooiberg mas- ple of dainty moraeas had opened Cape Nature, and the interns Dewi- sif on the 3rd of October. Annelise their petals. The plants were about dine, Liesl and Anri joined the Out- Vlok had mentioned that she and 25 cm high and had a single fur- ramps for a snoek braai at Straw- Jan had seen it there a couple of rowed leaf. It fitted (we think) the berry Hill. It was a great evening years ago. It is one of our priority description of Moraea exiliflora, and we enjoyed meeting a whole species, allocated to the Outramps which is listed as Critically Rare. lot of new people and seeing old by CREW. About 1 km from the friends again. Early the next morn- Rooiberg Pass, there was the Last but not least and the highlight ing we were off to Camferskloof to first flicker of excitement. There for 2014. We found 100 plants check , sedges, liparias was much discussion and peer- in a new colony of Disa procera and otholobiums with our three ex- ing through hand lenses to decide (Critically Endangered), which was perts. The promised high tempera- whether we had this elusive plant previously known from one small tures never materialised. For most or not. Disappointingly in the end, population. of the day, we walked in ‘mizzle’, which is our word for a fine misty rain. Fossicking (a meter a minute) is not always to my taste but Friday was different, as we had one won- derful surprise after another. Both The Fourcade Botani- Charles and Muthama are so will- ing to share their knowledge and it turned out to be a really good day cal Group (FBG) never for the Outramps.

On Friday we left George at an obscenely early hour to meet Jan stops searching and Annelise Vlok along the road from Oudtshoorn to De Rust. Jan ost of our monitoring is in Elizabeth CREW group, and the was leading a walk as part of the Mthe vicinity of St Francis other was a wonderful walk in our De Rust Eco Festival. We expected Bay and Jeffreys Bay. There is very special St Francis Fynbos a fairly leisurely stroll. Instead, we so much development happen- Thicket Mosaic with members of went at a good pace with occasion- ing in especially the Jeffreys the Worcester group, and of course al plant stops. During the course Bay area that Ismail has asked we recorded the plants there too. of the walk, we went through Suc- us to record what is there before culent Karoo, Subtropical Thicket, At a quick glance the Papiesfontein it all disappears. Renosterveld, Sandolienveld, Fyn- dump site is rather bleak, but it is bos and even some In 2014 we had two particularly a good example of Coastal Low- Forest. The track itself was fairly good days with visiting CREW land Renosterveld and hiding in it, precipitous and there were some groups; one day spent recording at if one looks carefully, are various ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ over some of the old dump site, Papiesfontein, threatened plants such as Gasteria the more difficult terrain. The walk near Jeffreys Bay with the Port armstrongii (Critically Endangered), 29 Work and fun in the Sand River.

cherry on the top was the Endan- Our visits to the Jeffreys Bay wind gered Satyrium hallackii subsp. hal- farms and Mentor’s Kraal, where lackii in the dune wetlands. we have found various plants of Conservation Concern, have been In September 2014 we joined the far more interesting and reward- Port Elizabeth CREW to search ing than our trips to the disturbed for Cyclopia longifolia (Critically remnants of Renosterveld near the Endangered) and Cyclopia interme- Jeffreys Bay mall and informal set- Gasteria armstrongii. dia (Declining) and we found small tlements. populations of them both. Our team spent a few days in No- of which we saw less than 10, and Another highlight was a quick trip vember on Posfontein-se-Berg and Lotononis acuminata (Vulnerable). into the Baviaanskloof with Ismail we drew up lengthy plant lists that and some of his Cape Town team included five species of Conserva- Our walk with the Worcester CREW and the Port Elizabeth group. This tion Concern. took us through a small, but beauti- kloof is a most special place and ful, coastal forest and large areas one doesn’t have to look too far Our final CREW excursion of the of Rapanea gilliana (Endangered), to find its treasures, such as the year was to some of the wetlands Agathosma stenopetala and Erica Vulnerable Bowiea volubilis or the on Thyspunt, the site of the pro- chloroloma, (both Vulnerable). The Near Threatened dubia. posed Nuclear Power Station.

Stop press!

Our most exciting find took place on 23 January 2015. We went to hunt for Felicia westae, last collected by WF Barker 64 years and two months ago and prior to that in 1944 by Fourcade himself. We found just 30 plants in a small sea- sonal wetland surrounded by mealie fields and dairy farms. What excitement! We couldn’t focus our cameras. The FBG doesn’t sit still. Valda Barratt flew to Cape Town with her pressing, Ismail collected it and within four days of finding it we had the ID confirmed by John Manning! Long-lost Felicia westae 30 Our aim was to monitor Satyrium hallackii subsp. hallackii (En- dangered), but we also recorded Capeochloa cincta subsp. sericea (Vulnerable) Eulophia speciosa (Declining) and Psoralea repens (Near Threatened). Henni de Beer, ESKOM’s Environmental Officer, helped by visiting other wetlands in the dune system on his dune buggy and recording what he found.

Our monthly rambles with adults, demographic monitoring of our CREW logo, Brunsvigia litoralis and outings with the children are ongoing.

We are delighted that Chris and Margie Middleton from Barrydale CREW have joined us and they help in so many ways.

CREW has given us a wonderful opportunity to explore beautiful places with like-minded people, and every now and then we come across a plant of particular interest. Close-up of Aspalathus cliffortifolia. Hopefully the data we collect will be of use to volunteers in years to come and to others doing research, One of our major objectives for Eastern Cape botanisers, the Four- and will help to conserve wild areas 2014 was to increase our mem- cade Botanical Group from St Fran- in our country. bers’ taxonomic knowledge about cis, on a more regular basis. To this the characteristic plant groups end, we joined them on a number of found in our area. We started with site visits outside of our home turf to some of the Eastern Cape’s ubiqui- search for rare and threatened plant tous succulent groups, namely the species. In April we visited Papies- vygie family, Mesembryanthema- fontein, the capital of the east, Port Elizabeth ceae (), and the genera where Caryl Logie led us on a ram- Crassula and Euphorbia. Mesemb ble through some of the last remain- expert, Pricilla Burgoyne, visited ing patches of Humansdorp Shale CREW Group us over a weekend in March and Renosterveld. We tracked down the hosted a very informative workshop Vulnerable Lotononis acuminata, on the of the Mesem- which was putting on a spectacular Adriaan Grobler bryanthemaceae (Aizoaceae). She lemon-yellow floral display in be- also guided us through the different tween the grey renosterbos, as well Crassula and Euphorbia species as the Critically Endangered and ast year was an exciting year found in our area, after which we very cryptic (non-flowering) Gaste- in the far eastern corner of L put our newly acquired knowledge ria armstrongii, which only occurs in the Cape Floristic Region. to the test during site visits to Coe- the Gamtoos Valley. Following the formalised partner- ga and the Baakens Valley. Thank ship between CREW and the Botan- you to WESSA-EP (Wildlife and En- We teamed up with the Fourcade ical Society of South Africa, the Port vironment Society of South Africa Botanical Group again in June Elizabeth CREW Group and the Al- – Eastern Province region) and the when we visited the eastern Bavi- goa Branch of the Botanical Society Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality aanskloof. This time we were joined underwent a merger of sorts. Even for providing funding for this work- by Ismail, the CREW Groen Se- though the core members of these shop via their Critical Ecosystem benza interns, and Brian du Preez groups comprise the same people, Partnership Fund (CEPF)-funded from the Outramps CREW group the conceptual merger helped us to Urban Conservation Programme. who was working in the Baviaans- streamline our objectives and plan- kloof Nature Reserve at the time. ning for the year, which resulted in Two more objectives for the year We travelled westwards through one of our most successful years to were to expand our area of investi- the kloof from Komdomo, snaking date. gation and to interact with our fellow our way up along Combrink’s Pass 31 Lotononis acuminata from the Papiesfontein area. Erica abelii from Perdekloof.

until we reached the plateau near the Near Threatened Haworthiopsis and find previously unrecorded sub- Bergplaas. Along the way we en- fasciata, as well as other interesting populations of two of our endemic countered many interesting plants, succulents like Aloe lineata var. lin- and Critically Endangered Aspala- including the Near Threatened Tri- eata, Euphorbia gorgonis, Euphor- thus species – A. cliffortiifolia and tonia dubia and the Rare Huernia bia polygona and Gasteria nitida. A. recurvispina. As luck would have longii subsp. echidnopsioides. On it, we managed to track down both our way back to Komdomo, Brian To celebrate the arrival of spring of these species at a new location and Ismail spotted the Rare Argy- in September, we spent a week- at Noordhoek between Cape Recife rolobium parviflorum growing next end in the Elandsberg and Van and Schoenmakerskop. We also re- to the road. Many thanks to Brian for Stadens Mountains to the west of corded the Vulnerable Erica glumi- organising this wonderful trip! Port Elizabeth. Much of the first day flora, the Endangered Rapanea gil- was spent in the fynbos around the liana and the Vulnerable Syncarpha Sand River Dam, where we found During August we visited one of sordescens. A Sunday afternoon the Critically Endangered Cyclopia our favourite haunts, Hopewell Na- walk along the Coastal Fynbos Trail longifolia growing along the banks ture Reserve, in the hopes of col- at Schoenmakerskop by one of our of the Sand River. The Fourcade lecting a flowering specimen of the members that same weekend led to Botanical Group joined us the fol- Vulnerable Senecio hirtifolius. We lowing day at Longmore where we the discovery of another locality of had found this species at Hopewell visited the farm Cypherfontein and A. cliffortiifolia – this time a subpop- a couple of years before and have explored the remaining fynbos in ulation in excess of 500 individuals. since been visiting the site annually, between the pine plantations. Here All in all a good month for Aspala- but between the conspiracies of the we found the Declining Cyclopia in- thus! seasons and herbivorous insects, termedia, resprouting after a recent we had never seen it in flower. Alas, fire, and the Vulnerable Cullumia Our final excursion of the year was a 2014 was not meant to be any dif- cirsioides growing at the bases of visit to the southeastern foothills of ferent, and we once again arrived at rocky outcrops. the Groot Winterhoek Mountains in the wrong time, the plants already the Groendal Wilderness Area. Our having flowered a month or so prior October is traditionally our Aspala- mission was to locate the Vulner- 32 to our visit. We did manage to find thus ‘hunting season’, when we try able and very localised endemic Er- ica abelii. After some searching, we tata var. hermanniifolia at three sep- located about 40 plants growing in arate sites, and a population of the cracks and crevices along quartzite endangered Hyobanche robusta in cliffs of the Perdekloof. The almost sand dunes of the Nelson Mandela fluorescent-yellow flowers of this Metropolitan University Private Na- Erica against the pale rock faces ture Reserve. made for quite a sight. We collect- ed some DNA material for Dr Ted A big thank you to all our volunteers Oliver to be used in a phylogenetic for their continued support and un- study of the . wavering enthusiasm for conserving our flora. Thank you also to Ismail Two other highlights for the year and the rest of the CREW team for were the chance discoveries of the enabling and assisting our local ef- rare local endemic Centella triden- forts.

tion of flowering times and sea- Pondoland sonal variation. On these outings we have found undescribed spe- Disa scullyi at Ntsekeni Nature Re-

cies, for example a Wahlenbergia serve. CREW at Umtamvuna, as well as red-listed plants such as Disa scullyi and D. Kate Grieve rhodantha at Ntsikeni. In addition to flowers, there are also special for- est species at Umtamvuna (such as he Pondoland CREW group Manilkara nicholsonii, mac- Thas had a busy 2014, meet- naughtonii, Cussonia pondoensis ing most Thursdays and taking and C. nicholsonii) and Oribi flats, several trips further afield when where we found four Strychnos special plants or sites beckoned. species and a new locality for Pris- timera peglerae. Fortunately there are 52 weeks to get to all our favourite haunts; the Our earlier visit to Pondoland was various parts of the Umtamvuna followed up by a meeting with the Nature Reserve featuring high on Baleni community and stakeholders the list. in the development of ecotourism in the wild coast, where we gave The moth-pollinated Rangaeris musci- Our normal operating range is from feedback regarding the viability of cola. the south bank of the Umtamvuna a botanical reserve and nursery in River in the Wild Coast Hotel com- the area. We continue to work with plex to Vernon Crookes Nature Re- the Groen Sebenza interns, pro- Nicholas (UKZN), Pieter Bester serve in the north and Ngele in the viding workshops and identifying (SANBI) and Melissa Glen (UKZN). West. We did not have particular specimens. We searched for Erythrococca sp. target species this year and when nov. for Robert Archer at SANBI; we did set out to find something, Co-operation with botanists and Benny Bytebier (UKZN) has come we were not successful – Nym- other scientists is always an en- on orchid hunts; and Steve John- phoides forbesiana and Hyobanche joyable experience (and particu- son (UKZN) set up cameras to fulleri still have us looking! larly important stimulation for older record moth pollinators of Ranga- brains!). Braam van Wyk not only eris muscicola. Dineo Dibakwane Most of our outings involve survey- mentors us with our curation of the (SANBI) and friends came to re- ing and monitoring grasslands in collection in the HNTA Herbarium, cord GPS points for seed collection this area of rich floral diversity and but also got us looking at fruiting for the Millenium Seed Bank at endemism. We are in the process phenology of Eriosemopsis sub- Kew. We also arranged the Tony of compiling plant lists for Mkham- anisophylla and the differences Abbott memorial walk along the bathi and Ongeluksnek nature between the tree and rock forms of cliffs from the Umtamvuna Nature reserves as well as the Dingeleni Rhipsalis baccifera. Reserve office to Clearwater. It was camp in the new Mtamvuna re- well attended, but not everybody serve in the Eastern Cape. We also Ngele is a rich source of Apocyn- stopped to look at the flowers, a record the plants we see on all our aceae and we have learned a great situation we will try to rectify for outings, which gives a good indica- deal from our outings with Ashley next year. 33 CREW Durban node 2014

Jocelyn Sutherland

ur first outing for the year, Oa joint fieldtrip with the CREW Mkhambathini group to Cato Ridge grasslands, yielded a splendid display of our target species – the Endangered Sene- cio exuberans. In May we undertook our second Mkhambathini–Durban CREW joint trip to uMgeni Valley to search for the Declining Disperis woodii. To her great delight, Jocelyn found the first of four specimens of this tiny orchid.

Later in May we had our first visit to the Nonoti network, a biodiver- sity stewardship site just north of Stanger, comprising coastal grass- land overlooking the Nonoti River estuary. It appeared to have great The Durban CREW Group at Inanda Mountain, in the company of eThekwini Mu- potential and further visits were nicipality representatives. Photo: Jean Stephenson. planned. The first of these took place in October, where we were amazed at the variety of plant spe- that is earmarked for biodiversity of Brachystelma natalense (Critical- cies in the secondary , stewardship. Despite the site being ly Endangered) and Brachystelma including the Vulnerable Brachy- heavily grazed, it is rich in species. gerrardii (Endangered), we were stelma sandersonii and three spe- We were also mindful of the histori- unable to relocate the plants in cies of Eulophia. Time did not allow cal collections made in this area by December. However, Peter Taylor us to visit the primary grassland John Medley Wood. who lives adjacent to a known site and our subsequent visit in Decem- confirmed that Brachystelma ger- ber was very disappointing as the Despite being equipped with GPS rardii is on his property and he has primary grasslands was very dry co-ordinates for previous sightings surveyed the population for us. and had been disturbed by illegal bulldozing.

Hearing about the CREW A-team finding the Endangered Zeuxine africana in 2013, we decided to revisit the only known site of this CREW Mkhambathini species. We were disappointed to see an extremely dry and over- Alison Young grown site without any of our target species. We hope that the CREW khambathini CREW had a (Vulnerable). Though unsuccessful, KZN node will have effective com- focused year. There were we did find a new locality for Bego- munication with the owners of this M nine, mostly very successful, nia homonyma (Endangered). site, Transnet, and that this small outings. These are a few high- remnant patch will recover to its May saw our group going to Um- lights: natural state. geni Valley to look for the elusive In March, we went to the remote The CREW Durban group is fortu- Disperis woodii (Declining) where nate to work within the eThekwini area of Ismont near Mid-Illovo it was last seen in 2004 on a Bo- Municipality’s priority sites and this where Olive Hilliard made some tanical Society walk. Fortunately, year decided to target two of the interesting collections in the 1970s. we had many eyes on that trip priority sites. The first is Inanda We started by following up on a re- and one sharp pair found the tiny 34 Mountain, a community-owned site cord of Gerrardanthus tomentosus plant growing in the damp soil in Disperis woodii, Umgeni Valley. the shadow of the path cutting. We found four. The grassland is now Belleview, east of Pietermaritzburg, found 20 plants in total. Some pho- under the custodianship of the to look for Brachystelma franksiae tos will appear in the new orchid newly formed World’s View Con- subsp. franksiae (Vulnerable). Our book about to be released. servancy who has taken a keen rather dubious highlight was to interest in its preservation and or- find a single plant of the Critically In July, we went to World’s View ganised for the municipality to have Endangered Asclepias bicuspis, set above the northern suburbs of it burned for the first time in many which we just need to really confirm years. The Moraea stood out, in a Pietermaritzburg to monitor Moraea because it is so out of range and hurry to flower and seed before the hiemalis (Near Threatened). Al- strangely out of habitat. We also rains. though reports from the 1980s found Woodia verruculosa (Vul- suggested there were ‘hundreds In October, the municipal con- nerable) and Thunbergia venosa of plants’ on the hillside, we only servation department took us to (Rare) plants.

2014 Umvoti CREW outings

Felix Middleton

he small Hermannsburg pro- cies of grass aloe, at least four spe- A visit to the Boscombe forestry Ttected area can be regarded cies of Apocynaceae, several Eu- estate was worth the long walk as a pristine habitat for flower lophia, Satyrium and Disa orchids, through the monotonous eucalyp- identification in late springtime and the Endangered Ger- tus and pine plantations. There are and the number of species on bera aurantiaca. The small patch many small patches of grassland this small patch of grassland is of Sandersonia aurantiaca (Declin- that have not been used for for- ing), which is located just outside of estry, and we found many plants astonishing. the protected area was not grazed in one recently burned patch. Amongst the more remarkable by cattle this season and the bell- We observed Apocynaceae spe- plants we identified were two spe- shaped flowers were spectacular. cies, white and red forms of dwarf 35 protea, herbaceous hibiscus and several bulbous plants. Riocreuxia torulosa, the candle vine, grows along the edges of the grassland.

Although some of the walks of the Blinkwater Trail reserve have been closed to the public, there are still patches of forest surrounded by hilly grassland that are easily ac- cessible. A visit to one of these isolated patches of forest surprised us with a large diversity of shade- loving flowering plants. We identi- fied two species of terrestrial or- chids, at least three different Strep- tocarpus and five species of epi- phytic orchids, including the minute Mystacidium flanaganii. It is a pity that this trail is not as popular as in the past. A part of the indigenous forest was accidentally burned dur- ing a controlled burn, and patches of brambles and bracken are en- croaching into the grassland as well as limiting access to the trails through the indigenous forest.

We surveyed one of the three known habitats of Emplectanthus gerrardii (Rare), one of our target species, in mid-December. John Roff, an enthusiast who has previ- ously explored this site and identi- fied the species here, joined us The Rare Emplectranthus gerrardii. as guide. At first we only found immature plants among the dense vegetation in this small pocket of in- species of Streptocarpus and even we find two E. gerrardii in flower. digenous forest in the Karkloof val- found some epiphytic orchids in the We revisited the area in early Janu- ley. As a result of this, we focused trees along the river. Only when we ary, at which time many more of the our attention on some spectacular emerged from the forested area did plants were in flower.

Midlands CREW Summer 2014/2015

Nikki Brighton

ometimes we get really viduals to keep an eye out for spe- thusiasts. We went to explore one Slucky, at others we hardly cial plants on their ramblings. Every of the populations on Stormy Hill in find anything, occasionally we month in Midlands’ social and print Boston, finding seven plants in all. get stuck in the mud or come media, we publish a Threatened We spent the morning doing a plant across a ‘mystery’ plant. Most Plant Species to look out for. The survey and were excited to find often we spend time in the mist. results have been great, particular- the Data Deficient Schizoglossum bidens – we counted at least 10 ly for the Rare Brunsvigia undulata In the past we have found that plants – and a host of other won- – we identified at least four new organised fieldtrips are often can- derful wildflowers. celled due to heavy rain (meaning populations and have had landown- impassable roads), so we devised a ers offer to host CREW fieldtrips, With members of the uMvoti 36 cunning scheme to encourage indi- expanding our network of plant en- CREW, we explored Mt Gilboa in Group at Stormy hill. Photo: Suvarna Parbhoo.

Karkloof recording 65 species that find one lone Disa scullyi, it was re- day including the Watsonia mimic, ally small and had almost finished Disa nervosa. We searched for the flowering so the identification had Endangered Disa scullyi but they to be confirmed back at the BEWS were not yet in flower. In the mist- Herbarium. However, the other or- belt forest, a small intrepid team chids were spectacular – Disperis located the Rare Emplectanthus cardiophora and Corycium nigres- gerrardii. cens; Satyrium trinerve, Satyrium longicauda, Schizochilus zeyheri, Satyrium trinerve. Photo: Kathy Milford. We searched for orchids on Ma- Disa rhodantha and one Disa haqwa Mountain, but were too early chrysostachya. there too. We found Brunsvigia con Hill in Howick, the Asclepias undulata (Rare), not yet in flower, An impromptu excursion to Edge- woodii, an exciting find last year, Helichrysum mutabile and Schizo- ware in Boston to introduce CREW didn’t flower as well, but we did glossum elingue. We came across staff to the area resulted in heaps found a new clump. a pink version that may just be the of fabulous finds – 12 plants of Rare S.elingue subsp. purpureum Schizoglossum bidens subsp hir- Whatever the weather, we always collected by Anne Rennie in 1972. tum and one Asclepias bicuspis learn something new and usually A few weeks later we headed up (Critically Endangered) too! One inspire someone else to love plants to uMngeni Vlei area where we did simply never knows. On Bea- too.

Underberg CREW field trips 2014/2015

Julie Braby, Underberg CREW Co-ordinator

fter a very, very dry winter plenty of plants in flower. In Novem- On 4 December one of our CREW Ahere in Underberg, we were ber we headed for some altitude volunteers, Ansell Matcher, headed really looking forward to the at Garden Castle Nature Reserve off on a 25 km round trip to re-pho- spring rains and flowers. in search of the Rare Erica albos- tograph two plants on our target list (one being Critically Endangered) We had to wait a little longer than picata. We came across a small population of this beautiful plant, recorded last season. Although nei- usual, but we have been rewarded ther species was in flower, Ansell with great flowers this season. but are still waiting for confirmation from the herbarium. We went back found a new population of the Rare Aster confertifolius. Sometimes it Our first outing of the season was a week later to the same spot, as pays not too get a good photo the to monitor a population of Anemone we had walked past so many differ- first time! fanninii on the Sani Pass Road. ent ericas that we could not identify We were a little early and when we and realised the importance of col- Our first trip of the New Year was went back 10 days later there were lecting. very rewarding. Again we set of 37 to reach an altitude of 2 000 m in search of Athanasia grandiceps (Rare). After a good climb we were rewarded with approximately 500 plants. It was in a very specific area in a mountainous gulley amongst strewn rocks.

One of our highlights was a trip to Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho with our CREW KZN node manager, Suvarna Parbhoo, and intern Hlengiwe Mtshali from whom we learnt a great deal on the im- portance of correct plant collecting, Underberg CREW volunteers on a field Erica albospicata. pressing and data collection. trip.

Introducing the CREW Gauteng group

Andrew Hankey

he newly formed Gauteng The area was surveyed to show the TCREW group held their first participants what the plant looked outing on Saturday 24 January like and then to determine the ex- Athanasia grandiceps. 2015! tent of the population. The group The day started with an early meet- was then organised into a line so ing in northwestern Gauteng (near that we could sweep the population Lanseria Airport) at a known local- and count how many individuals ity of the Vulnerable Melolobium there were. This was repeated on After both subpopulations had been subspicatum. This species is re- the eastern side of the population, counted we headed a few kilome- stricted to Gauteng and Northwest which is bisected by the main road tres up the road to pay a visit to the provinces and is only known from a linking Randburg and Hartebees- Vulnerable Xerophyta adendorffii. few localities. poort Dam. This was just out of interest and no

38 Some Gauteng CREWzers. Huernia transvaalensis [LC]. The new Callilepis normae, which was discovered during a PSG outing to Mount Anderson game ranch.

Melolobium subspicatum [VU]. a new Callilepis species, which was surveying was done on these two and a refreshing dip in the pool. described a few months later as C. populations. At the same locality Conversations about plants and normae (after the owner’s wife). We compiled a plant list of around 318 we also found Huernia transvaal- threatened species extended for species that weekend. ensis; although listed as Least most of the afternoon amid boere- Concern, it is always a treat to find wors rolls and much thrashing and In March we visited one of the in flower. splashing in the pool. A great day Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks By the time we had finished our was had by all and brief discus- Authority’s reserves, Verloren field visits the heat was intense and sions about the next outing re- Valei. Situated at over 2 000 m in everyone, especially the younger volved around a rare orchid, which altitude, this reserve contains many CREWzers, were feeling hungry is largely restricted to Gauteng and specials although it has not been and hot. We headed to nearby currently only known from one re- well collected in the past. Her- lodge Cradle Cove to have a braai maining locality. barium specimens were gathered and a plant list compiled. Some of the specials included Aloe modesta (Vulnerable), Gladiolus ferrugineus (endemic) and Eucomis vandermer- wei (Vulnerable). The Mpumalanga Plant In April a very small group went to Nelsberg Nature Reserve, which is a forestry reserve and not well Specialist Group (PSG) known at all. Unfortunately, we were rained out, but we did get to Mervyn Lotter see a few plants before abandoning the outing.

In May we travelled to a unique he PSG has concentrated areas of endemism or very unusual patch of Zululand Thornveld that on some of the botanically vegetation types. T just enters Mpumalanga at Manan- rich, yet unexplored areas of the ga. Some of the highlights included province. This is an alternative Our February 2014 outing was in to the Mount Anderson Nature Aneilema zebrinum (first record for approach to focusing on target Reserve, owned by Mike Rattray. Mpumalanga), Allophylus decipi- species, and in many instances ens, Euphorbia grandicornis and These grasslands were magnificent more rewarding. Gardenia cornuta. and we were treated to wonderful Being unable to locate a Data views and some exciting plants. In October the PSG explored some Deficient species can be quite dis- The highlights included Disa clavi- of the wooded grasslands of Ntsi- heartening, so our expeditions over cornis (Endangered), Helichrysum nini near Waterval Onder with Gra- the past year were mainly to new summo-montanum (Endangered), ham Grieve. Although the season or poorly known protected areas, Alepidea cordifolia (Vulnerable) and was rather late with few flowering 39 plants, we were treated to Adenia wilmsii (Endangered).

Finally, after so many years of driving through this area, the PSG managed to spend a weekend botanising in Chrissiesmeer. Some of the highlights included Khadia carolinensis (Vulnerable), Brachys- telma foetidum, Polygala gracilenta and Kniphofia porphyrantha.

Several exciting trips are planned for 2015, with a focus on unex- plored or exciting areas. PSG surveying an interesting grassland patch near Chrissiesmeer.

CREW Limpopo update

Sylvie Khöne & Bronwyn Egan

ur first trip was to the Blou- tions to visit the summit and the In April 2014 we teamed up with Oberg Mountain in February northwestern plateau. Some of the Barbara Turpin, from the Plant 2014. We were washed out by a plants seen were Satyrium longi- Specialist Group (PSG) in Mpu- flood, but in spite of this several cauda, Zoutpansbergia caerulea malanga, and Domitilla Raimondo orchids were spotted and there (endemic), Cineraria hederifolia and Mahlatse Mogale, both from (endemic, Rare), Rabdosiella lee- were thousands of Habenaria SANBI, for a first visit to the Leolo mannii (Rare), Limosella inflata, Mountains in Sekhukhuneland. galpinii where we camped. Ancylobotrys capensis, Ceropegia Roads, cattle and human settle- A month later we ventured back up sp., Gloriosa superba and Gladi- ments have made their mark on Blouberg in better weather condi- olus permeabilis. the vegetation of this area, but

Barbara Turpin, Sylvie Kremer-Kohne and Mahlatse Mogale collecting plants in the Gladiolus sekukuniensis. Photo: Sylvie 40 Leolo Mountains. Photo: Domitilla Raimondo. Kremer-Kohne. considering the looming presence We stayed at Tshulu Camp on the the local trees and once we ven- of the mines in the valley below the banks of the Mutele River. We ar- tured towards the surrounding hills, mountain, the trip was still a bo- rived before the rains and therefore the grazing pressure lessened and tanical success. Interesting plants many plants were not yet flowering. we enjoyed the beautiful flowers of included Cyphia corylifolia (Data The trees in the area were, howev- Holarrhena pubescens and Taber- Deficient – Insufficient Information); er, spectacular and all the baobabs naemontana elegans. A favourite Gladiolus sekukuniensis (Vulner- were in flower. The trip did not yield was the wooden banana (Entandro- able) and Jamesbrittenia macran- many specials, although we did phragma caudatum) with its curious tha (endemic, Near Threatened). In discover Drimia altissima (Declin- fruit. A fascinating aspect of the addition, an unknown Helichrysum ing) along a dusty road towards the trip was learning from local experts sp. was added to the list. campsite. As the area surrounding about the uses of all the trees we Our much anticipated trip to Venda the campsite was severely over- came across and their Tshivenda took place from 1 to 6 December. grazed, we focussed on learning names.

CREW Pondoland Project

Graham Grieve

ondoland CREW recently Plaunched a CD showcasing 134 endemic and special plants of the Pondoland Centre of End- emism. The project to promote these plants was initiated by the late Tony Ab- bott, the well-known Pondoland bo- tanical specialist. The resultant CD was compiled by Graham Grieve and the Pondoland CREW group. Copies can be obtained from the Botanical Society in Durban (San- dra at [email protected]), the CREW programme KZN node (Su- varna at [email protected]) or at the SANBI bookstore in Preto- ria ([email protected]).

Pondoland is one of our important centres of plant diversity and end- emism. Extending along the coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal from Port Shepstone to Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, the centre is demar- cated by the underlying Msikaba Formation sandstone, which gives rise to unique vegetation. The Pon- doland Centre has 30 species of woody endemics, including at least six monotypic genera (Dahlgreno- dendron, Eriosemopsis, Jubaeop- Pondoland threatened plants poster. 41 sis, Pseudosalacia, Pseudoscolo- contact: PCEherbarium@gmail. function. Each species is covered pia and Rhynchocalyx). There are com. on a separate page, which includes also many rare and endemic spe- photographs and a brief species de- The CD contains an Adobe Ac- scription. Providing the information cies in the grasslands, forests and robat file for use on personal in this way allows the reader to en- among rocky outcrops. For further computers. The information is large the images for greater detail, information about plants of this structured to facilitate easy ac- a feature not possible with a printed region or access to the herbarium, cess via the index and search document.

Highlights of my internship with the CREW programme

Mbali Mkhize

aving completed my degree different provinces and towns that the opportunity to obtain my driver’s Hin botany and biochemistry I have never been to previously license. at the University of Zululand, I has given me an opportunity to decided to volunteer at the Dur- meet, network and discuss plant Being with the CREW programme ban Botanical Garden and the conservation with amazing people. has been a high point in my life. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) herbarium The lowlight of my internship is the I am thankful to have gained the to gain experience and become short time frame – I have learnt knowledge and to have faced marketable in the biodiversity so much and have taken on every challenges too. I most certainly will sector. opportunity to practise what I have use this knowledge always and will learnt. On a personal note, being treasure the memories I have made After a year and half of an NRF intern has afforded me with the CREW programme. volunteering, my dream came true as I was successful in obtaining a one-year internship funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the CREW programme: KZN node. The experience and exposure to different aspects of plant conservation has made me more positive about the person I have become.

The highlights of my internship are the CREW field trips, which have increased my plant knowledge tremendously. The fieldtrips that stand out for me were to the Nonoti network biodiversity stewardship site and seeing the effects of urbanisation on the secondary grasslands; the Weenen Nature Reserve where we found two threatened Baleria species; and Edgeware Mountain in Boston (KZN Midlands) where we found five threatened species. I am grateful to the CREW programme for the courses and workshops that were organised to ensure that interns obtain various skills and are motivated to perform better and Mbali Mkhize equipped with data sheets at Edgeware Mountain, KwaZulu- 42 grow in our careers. Travelling to Natal Midlands. ‘I am Mzukisi Beja; based at Ngqinisa Village near East London’

was born and raised in the My Groen Sebenza learning IEastern Cape. After matriculat- highlights ing in 2003, I couldn’t further my The Groen Sebenza National In- studies for financial reasons, duction held in Boksburg was the but I did a few short courses to highlight so far. It was amazing to increase my employment poten- see the number of people being tial. given the same opportunity as I I did get a job as a security officer, have, and that made me realise but knowing my strengths and abili- how important this opportunity is– ties, I realised that I was in a box. I that I must grab it with both hands needed something more challeng- and do something important with ing than that. I am grateful to Groen it. Attending the career guidance Sebenza, because now I work as a workshop that was held in Durban para-ecologist–something I didn’t was very important to me, because know existed. I came back understanding myself, what my abilities are and how to Mzukisi Beja collecting insects. My first love for nature get what I want in life.

I grew up helping my aunt, who is My learning challenges a Sangoma, harvesting medicinal Vathiswa Zikishe, who has been a plants. I was also hunting birds and The main challenge I had to face great help in my learning journey. animals, harvesting honey and eat- was to accept the new subject, What Groen Sebenza means to ing sea food. I knew a lot of plants which is nature conservation. As I me? and their local names, especially have already mentioned, I used to medicinal plants, but I did not know use natural resources carelessly At first I saw this project as an op- that they have scientific names. I and now the Groen Sebenza op- portunity to earn some money. I was using natural resources the portunity is teaching me to raise didn’t know that it would be a learn- way I wanted to because I didn’t awareness about the sustainable ing journey that will make me em- use of these resources in my com- know that nature needs to be con- ployable one day. Thank you Groen munity. Another challenge for me served. After I became involved in Sebenza for the opportunity and was the use of terminology. I knew this project things have changed, the knowledge that you have given plants by their local names and me. I’m looking forward to learning because now I am the one who is didn’t know that they have scientific more from Groen Sebenza projects raising awareness in my commu- names, but I thank my mentor, Miss this year and increasing my skills. nity about how to look after nature and the environment.

My duties as a para-ecologist I am currently doing the following tasks: collecting, pressing and iden- ‘My Name is Landiso Mila’ tifying plants to family and some- times to genus level; collecting, pin- ning and identifying insects to order was born and grew up in King insects, spiders, snails, ferns and trees). Other skills that I have level; collecting, preserving and William’s Town and currently I gained are to create and give a identifying spiders to sub-order lev- live in Pirie Mission. PowerPoint presentation, write el; and capturing all specimen data. I matriculated in 2011 from Imit- monthly reports, and also research In June last year I started working shiza Senior Secondary School skills. I am currently doing a mini- on a mini-research project on hunt- and then in 2012 I had a gap year. research project on bird-lore. Do- ing and honey harvesting. Although I knew nothing about nature until ing this project is very exciting and I’m working on all of these, I’m very I got the opportunity of being in- challenging at the same time. I passionate about plants. I knew a volved in the Groen Sebenza Pro- interviewed elderly people, ask- lot about plants and their uses, but gramme in June 2013. ing them about their knowledge there is a lot of interesting informa- Being a Groen Sebenza pioneer, of birds, the isiXhosa name for tion that I only encountered through I have gained experience in col- each bird, its meaning and any the project and I want to learn more lecting various organisms (plants, cultural significance. I also asked about them. 43 them about idioms related to these been involved in field trips around birds. Being a respectful and active the country – to Mthentu near Bi- youngster in my community paid off zana, Addo National Park, and my when I did this research as people highlight was being in Cape Town did not hesitate to give information, at the Kogelberg farm. This trip was and they were very happy to see a the most important one for me as young person interested in indig- I learnt about personal and techni- enous knowledge. I knew nothing cal skills to prepare for the working about birds before, but now I do! environment.

I enjoy working at Pirie Mission Most of the challenges I have en- because there are various habi- countered have been solved, but I must say at the beginning it was not tats, such as forest, grassland and easy. I struggled with the terminol- wetland. Being able to collect ogy used in botany and in science specimens from different places in generally; collecting specimens the field has made my work more was sometimes difficult, as the veld interesting. was dry; and I’m currently working on my public speaking as well as My highlights so far have been to Landiso Mila know and understand the impor- writing skills. tance of nature and learning the I am very lucky to be part of the scientific names of organisms. The Groen Sebenza Programme be- opportunity because it provides me most interesting thing was travelling cause they selected me even with an understanding of conserva- to different places that I have never though the only qualification I have tion. Thank you Groen Sebenza for even thought to visit. I have already is Matric. I am excited about this the amazing opportunity in my life!

‘My name is Siphosethu Moshani, Sethu for short’

come from a village called as some people think seafood is INgqinisa, located at Chalumna, only for the poor, but my research about 60 km from East London. showed that is actually not the case. Sea food and meat have dif- I went to school in this village until ferent nutritional values and there- I decided to change my subjects in fore seafood cannot be a substitute Grade 10 because I wanted to do for meat. It was an eye-opener for something that involved nature, and me to gain different views on the changing subjects meant changing matter. schools. It was not an easy thing to do, but I had to follow my dream. My main highlights for last year After finishing high school, I heard were all the training sessions that I about the Groen Sebenza project. attended in different places. I have I was very happy because I knew learnt so much from them as they that it was meant for me. changed my view on life and in- creased the love I have for nature. Being part of the Groen Sebenza Another highlight was doing pres- project is a life changing experi- entations. I love sharing what I am ence that I am grateful for. My passionate about with others in the duties in the project are collecting hope that they will learn something and pressing plant specimens, col- from it. It also builds self-esteem Siphosethu Moshani lecting insects, pinning and basic and confidence. identification, collecting spiders not stopped me from doing my and sorting them to order level. As part of my learning process, I Recently I have been conducting a regard challenges as opportuni- work the best I can. I am using the mini-research project on sea food ties to teach me new things about resources that I have instead of harvesting in the village. During life. One of the challenges I came complaining about what I do not my research I learnt that there is across was not having a field guide have. That mind-set also worked 44 a attached to this activity, for spider collection, but that has for me when the insects that I had accurately pinned and identified day and finding nothing. Instead were destroyed by ants. I used I collected trees and ferns speci- what I had to prevent that from mens, as seasons do change. happening again instead of waiting for chemicals. What was also chal- Thank you so much Groen Seben- lenging was to search for new flow- za for this opportunity, this is my ering plant specimens for the whole ticket to a brighter future!

‘I am Someleze Mgcuwa’

t’s always dark before dawn. challenges, such as struggling with IThat’s what I realised after I scientific terminology during train- matriculated in 2009 from Imit- ing sessions, using keys to identify shiza Senior Secondary School insects and pinning insects, as well and endured three and half years as not finding plants during the Someleze Mgcuwa without finding a job. winter season. Going through these I was miserable. In June 2013 I saw challenges, I realised that ‘patience the light at the end of the tunnel af- and perseverance have a magi- a perfectionist has opened this new ter finding a job in Groen Sebenza, cal effect before which difficulties door for me! I see this as a once a project at SANBI where I work as disappear and obstacles vanish’ – in a lifetime opportunity, which I para-ecologist in my village called John Quincy Adams. had to grab with both hands. My Pirie Mission near King William’s strengths are my life weapons; I tie I am currently working as a Her- Town in the Eastern Cape. them around my neck as a remind- barium Assistant, based at Selmar er wherever I go. As a para-ecologist, I collected Schönland Herbarium in Graham- plants and pressed them, pre- stown. My new tasks are mounting Thank you Groen Sebenza for served and identified spiders, and and filing specimens and capturing presenting an opportunity that will collected and classified insects. On specimen label information. Being allow me to use my talents. My life this journey I encountered some a hard worker, dedicated, as well as will never be the same again.

A ‘new kid’ in the CREW ‘playground’

Gigi Laidler

riefly, my background is the University of Stellenbosch, as a Ba 4-year BSc majoring in technician in the Animal Husbandry Animal Physiology, Zoology Department. When my husband’s and Nature Conservation (1976), job promotion took our family to followed by a BSc Hons (Agric.) Port Elizabeth, I eventually found a (1977) in Animal Physiology at job with the Port Elizabeth Publicity the University of Stellenbosch. Association, where my responsi- bilities were many and varied, as I After graduating, my life path took provided a broad portfolio of Office me to Johannesburg, where I Management support to the Direc- worked for four years at the Uni- tor. versity of the Witwatersrand as a laboratory technician. In 1981, life Once again, our family relocated changed again, when my first-born after four years in the ‘Friendly arrived on the scene, and our little City’, when my husband joined the family moved to Stellenbosch. Western Cape Department of Envi- ronmental Affairs, and we moved to Gigi Laidler, newest member of the CREW In 1984, when my second child was Cape Town. There I briefly contin- team. almost two, I returned to work at ued working in the tourism industry 45 before landing the job as PA to a more science/research-based oc- again ‘losing’ my boss was to re- Brian Huntley, Chief Executive of cupation; however the pressures of quest that my redeployment would the then National Botanical In- the job never quite allowed for that, not continue in the administration/ stitute, in what I considered the and I found myself now becom- management stream. I wanted my dream location to be working – ing a Project Manager, rather than work to be more fulfilling in an area Kirstenbosch, just before the close working more directly in the field of where I could apply some of the IT- of the previous Millennium. After hands-on biodiversity. based skills around databasing that ten years in the ‘hot seat’, I found I had developed over many years myself needing to reinvent myself At the beginning of 2014 a new in my ‘chequered’ career path, and when Brian retired, and I joined opportunity for reinventing myself which also involved some fieldwork. Guy Midgley’s Climate Change arose when Guy left SANBI to take When it was proposed that I should group. Here I had hoped to be in a up an academic/research position join the CREW team, I had no hesi- position to do less strictly adminis- at the University of Stellenbosch. tation in agreeing that this would be trative work, and to migrate back to My immediate reaction to once an ideal arrangement for me.

Journey through the Richtersveld

Mahlatse Mogale

he Richtersveld expedition the spectacular Orange River be- Pieter van Wyk, a young nature Twas one of the most amazing fore heading off on the second leg enthusiast. He is a great example adventures a young botanist like of the trip. of the fact that knowledge is not me could ever embark on. defined by your age, but by your We then headed for the Ai-Ais/ passion for what you do. He has It was a 10-day trek, with endless Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, been hiking the vast Richtersveld adventures and life changing expe- where we met up with the rest of mountain ranges for over 10 years riences. the team – Ismail Ebrahim, Brittany and was more than happy to share Arendse, Robyn Powell and James his knowledge with us. Our journey started with a road Duncan. Domitilla Raimondo and trip, travelling nearly 1 400 km from Terry Trinder-Smith (of the Bolus The Richtersveld vegetation is Gauteng to the Northern Cape. Herbarium) joined us later. Our first unique. The diversity of plants We covered the distance over two campsite was at the Richtersveld growing within the small area is so days: Lize and Rudy von Staden, Transfrontier Park nursery where, vast it almost seems infinite; there Barbra Turpin and I drove from to the carnivore’s dismay, we were are more than 300 species endem- Pretoria to Augrabies Falls National to have our last taste of meat for ic to this region. There are beautiful Park, where we set up camp for the a very long time. We also became daises, mesembs and plants that night. During our stay, we admired acquainted with our tour guide, I have never encountered before,

Pieter van Wyk, guide for the Richters- 46 CREW team monitoring threatened species on the Vandersterberg. veld CREW expedition. Botanists taking part in the Richters- New species of Acanthopsis collected veld expedition pressing plants in the near Karaga Kloof. evening.

Cyanella marlothii, a highly threatened species known from one location de- clining due to grazing by goats.

Pteronia anistata, last collected in Heliophila cornellsbergia, a rare spe- 1960; only known from two localities, cies not collected for over 50 years, this species can only be identified by found at Koeskopfontein on the Vander- the glands on its . stersberg, a new species of Hesperan- Goat grazing by communal farmers is tha was collected at the same location. posing a major threat to many of the Richtersveld endemic species. landscape transforms, coming to life with brightly coloured daises, tuned eyes of some of our CREW such as species from the genera which have opened to catch the members, this amazing find would Conophytum and Cheiridopsis. The sunlight and soon close as the light have gone unnoticed. Pteronia ani- structure and uniqueness of the fades with sunset. With a closer sata is classified as Rare according plants can only be explained as the look one can see the miniature to the South African Red data list, result of the harsh climate of the plants that grow low on the ground. known from only one population area. With little rainfall and extreme This trait makes it very difficult to occurring in an area of less than heat, the plants have all developed see the plants and as a result, they 5 km2. This species is exceptional unique survival mechanisms. are easily trampled. One such spe- because of the minute resin dots cies is the inconspicuous Pteronia striating the bracts. Truly a remark- When travelling through the veg- anisata. Although very aromatic, able and rare find. etation during the early hours of this dwarf shrub only grows to the morning the landscape looks about 30 cm and can easily be Sadly, this magnificent vegetation green, but once the sun is out the overlooked. Were it not for the fine- is under severe threat. One of the 47 Contact details for CREW Group champions CREW office: [email protected] Cape Floral Region CFR office and C-Team – Ismail Ebrahim [email protected] Cape Peninsula – Janeen Nicols and Margaret Kahle Janeen: [email protected] Margaret: [email protected] Darling Flora Group – Helene Preston [email protected] Friends of the Tygerberg Hills – Hedi Stummer [email protected] George Outramps – Di Turner [email protected] Harmony Flats Working Group – Hayley Wittridge [email protected] Hottentots Holland – Cecilia Wolmarans [email protected] Jacobsbaai – Koos and Elise Claassens [email protected] Kogelberg – Amida Johns [email protected] Mahlatse Mogale admiring plants on Mamre – Karin Herman quartz flats below the Rooiberg. [email protected] Napier – Cameron and Rhoda McMaster [email protected] Nieuwoudtville (Indigo Development and Change) – Bettina Koelle biggest threats to the Richtersveld [email protected] is the high level of grazing by live- Piketberg – Angela Langton stock. Although the land is protect- [email protected] ed, farmers are allowed to graze Stilbaai – Janet Naude their livestock herds in the park. [email protected] This has had adverse effects on Swellendam – Flora Cameron [email protected] the vegetation – seen by the patchi- Worcester – Tom Jordaan ness of the remaining vegetation [email protected] – and is gradually causing extreme Eastern Cape transformation of the landscape. Eastern Cape office – Vathiswa Zikishe Plants are also severely affected by [email protected] the mining footprint within the park. Port Elizabeth – Clayton Weatherall-Thomas Erosion resulting from the ‘rehabili- [email protected] tated land’ is causing massive habi- St Francis/Fourcade Botanical group – Caryl Logie [email protected] tat loss to the Richtersveld endemic plants. As a proud tree hugger, it KwaZulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal office and A-Team – Suvarna Parbhoo is a very sobering thought hearing [email protected] about the lush (within the stand- Durban – Jocelyn Sutherland ards of the water-hungry land) and [email protected] abundant vegetation of the past Midlands – Nikki Brighton and realising that this is receding at [email protected] such a rapid rate. Mkhambathini – Alison Young [email protected] The negatives should not over- Pondoland CREW – Kate Grieve [email protected] shadow the greatness of what Umvoti – Lynda Drogemoller is the Richtersveld. The trip was [email protected] awe-inspiring and I can assure you Underberg – Julie Braby that everyone had unlimited fun. [email protected] Each day had a botanical surprise Zululand – Francois du Randt [email protected] that exceeded the previous days. Although we went 6 to 7 days with- Mpumalanga out a shower or lavatory, I would Mpumalanga Plant Specialist Group – Mervyn Lötter [email protected] not exchange the experience for anything. But even so, one could Limpopo not help but be excited on the ar- Limpopo – Bronwyn Egan [email protected] rival of the last day, when we spent the night in Port Nolloth at a guest Gauteng Gauteng – Andrew Hankey house by the beach – with bath- [email protected] 48 rooms!