Bug and bead of water

Hops

Driving from the Garden Route to the Klein Karoo over the Outeniqua Pass, one passes a couple of farms growing plats that creep up strings hanging from wire frames. I used to wonder about it till I found out that it was hops. Now I don't know much about hops other than the fact that … Continue reading Hops →

Maitland dune vygie

A vygie growing between the sandstone rocks on top of the Maitlands dune field

Sedge

Sedge photograped next to the Maitlands River. I was checking my The Wildlife of Southern Africa book and it seems that this may be Cyperus dives.

Knersus’ teeth.

When I was growing up there was an Afrikaans kiddies show on South African tv called Oscar en Knersus. Oscar was a rabbit while Knersus was a big Pterodactyls with huge teeth. Knersus was always trying to catch Oscar. For some reason we always called these plants Knersus' teeth because the look like teeth. I … Continue reading Knersus’ teeth. →

Moss

Its been a while since I've done a "Random theme" post. Today's is Random Moss. Old Man's Beard is found in areas where there is absolutely no air polution. It hangs from trees and is often seen in areas like the Tsitsikamma forest. A closeup of some lush moss growing on a dead tree trunk … Continue reading Moss →

Sour Fig

A little while ago I did a post on the Natal Creeping Fig with its purple flowers. In that post I mentioned that it is related to the Sour Fig (Carpobrotus edulis). I found a Sour Fig the other day and took some photos of it to show you what it looks like as well.

King Protea

Today is the 1st of September which means it SPRING DAY. YAY! Winter is over (even if its only on paper) and everybody is looking forward to summer. To celebrate the coming of spring I am posting a pic of the King Protea which is South Africa's national flower. And to make it relevant to … Continue reading King Protea →

Spring Day

Tomorrow (or today, depending when you read this) is Spring day. So it means bye-bye to the winter (even if its just on the calender), flowers blooming, bees buzzing, butterflies hovering, birds chirping and longer days. Oh yes, and don't forget people in bright clothes welcoming the arrival of spring. So in celebration of the … Continue reading Spring Day →

Cochineal

Yesterday I told you about Prickly Pears and in this case the red prickly pear. I also mentioned that the cochineal beetle was introduced as the prickly pear's natural enemy to stem the spreading of the plant. Cochineal beetles are best know for the fact that they are used to create a natural red dye. … Continue reading Cochineal →