This magnificent Gladiolus is flowering at the moment on the hills above Walker Bay. It has a narrow distribution range from Houw Hoek and the Kogelberg to Bredasdorp. The Caledon Bluebell grows in stony sandstone-derived soils and occasionally on limestone outcrops, in … Continue reading
One of the most beautiful flowering bulbs along the coast in the Walker Bay region is Ferraria crispa. I took these photos in August on the Danger Point Peninsula. It can be found growing mostly on coastal sands, but also in … Continue reading
Using flower colour for identifying plants can be quite confusing. I recently found four different colour variations of Gladiolus meridionalis within a few kilometres of each other and all on the same soil type. … Continue reading
This beauty is flowering at the moment on Grootbos Nature Reserve (www.grootbos.com) and the Fynbos Trail (www.fynbostrail.co.za). Its not that easy to find as it stands just 10 to 15cm above the ground on a thin hairy stem in relatively … Continue reading
I have just returned from some awesome botanising in the limestone hills between Pearly Beach and Baardskeedersbos. Even though it is quite late in the season I found some beautiful plants in full flower on the limestone ridges. This area burnt in … Continue reading
Two splashes of red in close proximity to each other on a recent coastal walk turned out to be two magnificent parasitic plant species, both with red flowers. Cytinus sanguineus is known as the aardroos (earth or ground rose), a very apt … Continue reading
Every spring along the De kelders coastline we are treated to magnificent flowering displays of the rooi trewwa, Satyrium carneum. This year for some reason has been really special with literally thousands of these magnificent ground orchids in full flower. Perhaps … Continue reading
Spring has certainly sprung in the Overberg and we have had a magnificent week with beautiful warm weather. I have been doing lots of walking in the fynbos and taking in all the magnificent spring colours, smells and beautiful flowers. … Continue reading
Fynbos fan Bill Duminy of Wortelgat sent in these pics of Cyrtanthus leucanthus and Otholobium rotundifolium that he took in veld burnt a few months back on the Kleinriver mountain range between Stanford and Hermanus. Both species are well adapted … Continue reading
As the seasons change, the mornings get cooler and the first rains arrive two delicate pink Gladiolus have appeared on the sandstone slopes of Flower Valley and Grootbos. Both Gladiolus brevifolius (Autumn pipes, pictured left below) and Gladiolus martleyi (basterherfspypie, pictured … Continue reading
