Cycads, or as we know them in Afrikaans, Broodbome, (all Encephalartos species and Stangeria eriopus) are the most threatened plant group in South Africa. They are also one of the most threatened groups of plants in the world. In South Africa almost 70% of our cycad species are threatened with extinction, with four species on … Continue reading Mountainside cycads at Kuzuko
I have always had a love for cacti and succulents. Perhaps because there are so many different species, because they often surprise you with the most beautiful little flowers or because they don't need much looking after or water. But nothing I knew about succulents could prepare me for what I encountered at the Obesa … Continue reading Giant cacti at Obesa
The Latin name for the Red Hot Poker is Kniphofia and its also sometimes known as a Torch lily or Poker plant. According to Wikipedia, it is a genus of plants in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, that includes 70 or more species native to Africa. This specific one I found close to Schoenies.
On my way home this afternoon I stopped to pick up a few Geocaches and at one of the cache locations on Kragga Kamma Road I found this very distinctive bracket fungus growing on the back of the tree. Polypores are a group of fungi that form fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the … Continue reading Finding bracket fungus while out caching
I don't have big flowerbeds in my garden. For that I just don't have enough time and green enough fingers. I do have a few different plants and lots of succulents though and one of those I probably get most excited about when they flower is my air plants. Air plants (Tillandsia) is a … Continue reading My air plants are flowering
The Floradale Nursery that used to be on William Moffet recently moved into their new bigger and better premises on Circular Drive. We stopped by for a look last weekend and wasn't disappointed. In addition to a bigger shop and expansive outside display area of plants, pots, ornaments and other garden accessories, the popular The Rose Garden … Continue reading Floradale Nursery’s new premises
I really enjoy visiting small town museums. There is always something interesting to discover in them and no better way to learn more about the history of a place. Graaff-Reinet has a number of very good small museums but if I had to choose only one to go to I would choose Reinet House. The Graaff-Reinet … Continue reading Reinet House and the oldest grape vine in South Africa
The Tsitsikamma is famous for its stunning scenery, magnificent forests and exciting adventures. I often wonder how many people visit here and marvel at the big things but totally miss the little ones. Ferns with new leaves opening up, soft moss growing on a rock, bracket fungus on the side of a log, the sound … Continue reading Forest scenes and senses from the Tsitsikamma
Carpobrotus deliciosus (sour fig, perdevy, ghaukum, ghounavy ) is a fairly well know sight in this area. They have purple, pink or white flowers, almost straight, green leaves and sweet fruits that make excellent sour fig preserve. They grows on sand dunes and in rocky grassland along the southern and eastern coast of South Africa from … Continue reading Sour fig or Ghaukum
I'm sure most people have seen the lichen generally referred to as Old Man's Beard. One sees quite a lot of it in the Tsitsikamma forest, but in this case I found it on the Bushbuck Trail in The Island Nature Reserve. Usnea is the generic and scientific name for several species of fruticose lichen … Continue reading Old Man’s Beard
Firefly the Travel Guy 