The Kleintramps

Outramps CREW Diaries
The Kleintramps
Tuesday 18th September 2018
Here is the ALBUM. For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Bizarre weather patterns, Barrydale, Gerickes Punt, Gourikwa, some Muraltias from De Hoop and the Kleintramps.

For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album

The Barrydale hiking trail - a few hours along
HAT Evie’s Report
While in the Langeberg, I managed to convince Tony and 2 other fellow hikers to undertake a short sortie along the Barrydale hike. What with thick black clouds and icy wind and the hope of some rain for the Little Karoo this was indeed short. It did mean I never made it further on to higher ground around the corner, where the stunning Langeberg, with its very lush Fynbos and high valleys, comes into view. It is quite unlike many of the other northern aspects of the Langeberg between Montagu and Barrydale - which are very rocky and dry. Here the clouds, rainfall and geographic arrangements have created a super niche area for Fynbos.

The walk reminded me of my last time along this trail. In Sept 2014 we arrived to do the hike, Brian( Mr Fab) with all sorts of requests for this and that rare Fabacea sp, only to find a 2- day old burnt section! At least this burn has shown good recovery. Numerous new Protea seedlings are growing and a pretty “wand like” deep purple Muraltia sp.is in full swing. There was also Felicia sp (possibly Felicia filifolia subsp bodkinii), Acmadenia nivenii (VU), Adenandra mundiifolia, Podalyria biflora, Leucospermum calligerum and new growth on Berzerlia abrotanoides. Obvious bright red spots all over the fields turned out to be Erica plukenetii and cerinthoides.

Later on in the day at a Langeberg roadside Cheese Farm stop, wandering along a farm track, we found two bulbs- Moraea karooica (LC) and Gladiolus floribundus.

Evie

The Weather Gods gone Crazy
As I write this on Friday, Florence is causing chaos, widespread flooding and power failures in North Carolina in the USA. It is being described as "The Storm of a Lifetime". Closer to home, the rain finally arrived last week, after many empty promises. It was also unseasonably cold. The Outeniquas had plenty of snow and the Swartberg Mts were transformed into a winter wonderland with heavy falls. There was snow on the ground in the Langkloof and the Potjies Pass to Uniondale was closed.

It was more than time. Our hopes for a good spring had all but evaporated, but this welcome rain and snow might just be in time to save the plants. Most reports talk of 55mm of rain and counting. We could be heading to the Langkloof on Friday to see what we can see. This is the first decent rain that they've had there in over two years.

Tanniedi

De Hoop Muraltias
Dave confirmed his status as a botanical masochist when he decided to try and identify all the Muraltias found during the Whale Trail in August. After dissection of the ridiculously small flowers and much head scratching - five species have been proposed and posted on iNat. Thank you Margaret Levyns for your clever id guide. To date no fellow masochists have taken up the challenge.......

Muraltia pottebergensis (Vulnerable) - Sandstone - Lower slopes
Muraltia collina - (LC) Sandstone Mid to Upper Slopes
Muraltia splendens (Near Threatened) - Limestone Hills near Sea
Muraltia calycina (Vulnerable) - Limestone near Sea
Muraltia satureoides - (LC) Dune Sand

Dave

Gerickes Punt
Various problems at Strawberry Hill have made it impossible for us to join WAGS for the last couple of weeks. A thereandback hike and a latish start opened the door for us on Wednesday. It was a sparkling champagne kind of day with bright blue skies and a turquoise sea. It was wonderful to see old friends again and at the entrance to the beach we were treated to a stunning floral display.
Nemesia bicornis
Gladiolus cunonius
Searsia crenata in full flower
Felicia amoena ssp latifolia
Dischisma ciliatum
Anemone vesicatoria ssp vesicatoria
Dimorphotheca fruticosa
Felicia echinata
Senecio elegans
Osteospermum moniliferum
These and many more were all in a short stretch of about 50m.

Further along, beyond the Sphinx and Gerickes Punt, there have been fresh sand-falls from the high overhanging cliffs. I am always intrigued by the Vygie curtains, which are draped at strategic points on these cliffs. Someday I must get an id for it. There were a number of Oyster Catchers around, but I never got close enough to take a photo. It was a very pleasant morning out on a beautiful stretch of coast.

tanniedi

Safe at Last
A couple of weeks ago, I did a presentation featuring the Outramps CREW work at the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve AGM. As a result of that, Charl Wade of the Fire Protection Association in Riversdale approached me re clearing the Rooikrantz around Lobostemon belliformis (Critically Endangered) at Gourikwa. Since about 1996 we have been anxious about this plant and suddenly out of the blue, a solution has been found.

Charl and I did a site inspection last Thursday and he has proposed a plan for the way forward. Later we were joined by Hugo and Japie of Gourikwa and they are keen to get started with the project. The Rooikrantz trees around the Lobostemon are huge and will have to be felled with a power saw. When they are cut, Charl intends to move them away from the site. This will be done in order to prevent damage by a very hot burn because of the excessive fuel load. Inevitably some of the plants will be damaged, but the utmost care is going to be taken during this felling and removal process. Charl has promised that there will be high levels of supervision.

The recent change of ownership at Gourikwa has contributed to a change of focus from farming and development to conservation. This property is teeming with rares and it is a huge relief to know that the plant welfare has become a priority. When I left, Charl and Japie were inspecting another block for alien clearance and working out a quote. We are so grateful.

The veld is looking gorgeous after the good recent rains. Charl says that they had 55mm at Riversdale. Leucospermum praecox (Vulnerable)is stunning in deep orange as the flowers age and in between, Osteospermum moniliferum was a glorious sunshine yellow. Magenta blooms on Pelargonium betulinum were breathtaking. The yellow Canola fields en route were a visual delight and the whole countryside has gone green. The Gouritz River is fuller than I've seen it for years.

There was still no sign of Erica baueri ssp. gouriquae (Endangered) in flower. This is very puzzling, as in 2017 it was covered with stunning pink flowers,which could be seen from a distance. Is it likely that the drought has caused it not to flower this year? We came early, on the date seen last year and then later, without any sign of flowers. I simply can't understand it.

But at least we have one big positive. The Beautiful One is in safe hands - at last! We will keep you posted on progress
Thank you All
tanniedi

P.S.Trip to Gourikwa - 18th August 2018
Nice rain fell during early August so the landscape was looking much better by the 18th. I took a slow trip to go and visit the ‘Beautiful One’ at Gourikwa. While the peak blooming time was past she was indeed still very beautiful. The sandy soils were nice and moist from the rain and the Proteas were also a sight to see. The Olifantsriet that occurs on the same hill is reason enough for a visit, but to see that at its best requires different timing. Must get there in April or May.

I was able to spend a leisurely hour plus at the site and found three strong Lobostemon seedlings tucked into the scrub (and A.cyclops). I look forward to seeing the area without all the A. cyclops. Sorry I couldn’t attend on the day.

Ann

The Kleintramps
What are the chances of this happening? We need a statistician or an expert on coincidence to work it out. The Outramps Group has 14 members. Within 16 hours of each other, two of our members became grandmothers - one for the first time and the other for the second.

This is what Sandra had to say
"Amazing, this new generation. I like the idea of the Kleintramps succession. Nicky is all fired up for us to schedule an Outramps baby and toddler indaba. It will auger well for the world if we can imprint good conservation ethics before consumerism grabs the mites!

Congratulations Marge and Sandra and welcome to the Kleintramps from the Outramps

Forthcoming Field Trips
On Sunday, I saw Tom Barry of Gamkaberg at the Yacht Club. We discussed a possible trip to Rooiberg, where they have had 30mm over a fairly new burn. There are a few logistical problems to sort out, so we may end up by going to Eseljacht with hope in our hearts after the recent good falls of rain and snow We are dreaming of a spring flush. The final destination decision will be made later in the week.
Groete en dankie
Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
Southern Cape

All id’s subject to confirmation by Doc Annelise and Jan Vlok, Steven Molteno, Dr Tony Rebelo, Nick Helme, Prof Charlie Stirton, Dr Robert Archer, Dr Robert McKenzie, Dr Ted Oliver, Dr Christopher Whitehouse, Adriaan Grobler, Prix Burgoyne, Dr Kenneth Oberlander, Dr Pieter Winter, Dr David Gwynne-Evans and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Veg Types of South Africa - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Abbreviations Glossary

MCSA – Mountain Club of South Africa
MSB - Millenium Seed Bank based at Kew in the UK
WIP – Work in Progress
HAT – High Altitude Team
LOT – Lowland Team
SIM – Somewhere in the Middle Team
WAGS – Wednesday Adventure Group
VB – Vlok Boekie “Plants of the Klein Karoo” and our Plant Bible
ITRTOL – Another thread “In The Rich Tapestry Of Life”(It describes a challenging situation, usually to do with the Buchu Bus)
ITFOT – In the fullness of time
WOESS – Fair Weather Hiker
FMC and JW – too vulgar to translate, but the equivalent is “Strike me Dead” - An expression of surprise and delight on finding a new “Rare”
Kambro – same as above
Fossick – A meter per minute, scratching around looking for rares
SIDB – Skrop in die Bos – Another name for a field trip, this one coined by Prix
BAFFING – Running round like a blue-arsed fly
SYT – Sweet Young Thing - Anyone under the age of 40
TOMB – Get a move on
Mayhem - Needless or willful damage or violence
SESKRYNG – “Sit en staan kry niks gedaan” ,with thanks to Brian
SOS – Skelms on Scramblers
FW – Idiot
BOB – Another name for the Buchu Bus when she’s misbehaving.
CRAFT – A symptom of Old Age
DDD - Metalasia tricolor (Damned Diabolical Daisy)
VP – Vrekplek – Retirement Village
Qàq – Self-explanatory Inuit word describing some of our local problems
Mr Fab – Our Fabaceae specialist, Brian Du Preez – originally Boy 1
Muisvoel -The Mathematician – Peter Thompson
Boy 2 – Kyle Underwood who works on Orchids and is still at school
Sharkie – Finn Rautenbach – Our latest SYT is a surfer in his spare time
Sicko – Someone who suffers from Car Sickness. With 4 in the Group, allocating seating in the Buchu Bus is tricky
VAG – Virgin Active Garage, which is our meeting place when we head north
MATMUE – Meet At The Mall Under E - Meeting place when we head West
WG – Waves Garage in Wilderness East. - Meeting place when we’re going east.
VU- Vulnerable
DDT – Data Deficient and Taxonomically ?
NT – Near Threatened
EN – Endangered
CR – Critically Endangered
PE – Presumed extinct
LC – Least Concern
TBC – To be Confirmed
TLC – Tender loving care
JMS – An expression of absolute disdain
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
Milk – the fruit of the vine
Condensed Milk – Scotland’s finest export
Full Cream Milk or Fat Milk – Any product of Humulus lupulus eg. Milk Stout
Milk of the Gods – Rooibos and Brandy
Milk Shake - Sparkling Wine
NS – Species of conservation concern new to the Outramps
PS -Priority Species allocated to the Outramps by our CREW Cape Co-ordinator , Ismail Ebrahim
iNatFD – iNaturalist for Dummies as compiled by Sally
Mizzle – Mist and drizzle combined. A regular feature of George in the ”good old days”.
FE – Fire Ephemeral – only appears immediately or after a couple of years after fire
Squirrel – aka President Ramaphosa
WOG – Wrath of God – eg. incurred when you put a young Pine tree on iNat as Leucadendron album
Skedonk - A banger - old, battered motor car more than 30 years old
Hoedown - redneck gathering, usually involves shouting catchy phrases like "yee-haw" and "the south will rise again"
VHF - Vat Hom Fluffie - our nickname for furry or woolly plants
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly

Our mailing address is:
di@strawberryhill.co.za

Publicado el septiembre 17, 2018 01:46 TARDE por

outramps-tanniedi

Comentarios

Still after all this time, Outramps does not understand fire. Yes, you know. But you dont understand!
"At least this burn has shown good recovery. " - all burns show good recovery. There are dozens of types of burns, and they all yield different results. Hot burns/ cold burns. Running burns/ backburns. Early burns/ late burns. Autumn burns/ spring burns. Burns followed by good rains/ poor rains. Burned followed by heat waves/ snow storms. Big burns/ small burns. Clean burns/ messy burns. Young burns/ old burns. All yield different results: some favour resprouters, others rare deep seeders, some on-ground seeders; some produce few seedlings, others so many seedlings that 90% will have to die. All this is part of the excitement of Fynbos and the variety and differences and nuances we all see around us is directly related to this variation in fire.
I wish there was a way that we could record the type of fire, and then have the CREW teams document the type of recovery by various guilds. Part of the problem is that we dont quite know all the guilds. For instance, we know that some of the large-nutted Leucadendrons and Leucospermums and Mimetes skip cool fires: they dont come up at all unless the fires are really hot. And some Buchus make hot fires taking them into rocky patches (they have deep seeds too), whereas some daisies (slangbos, blombos) have surface seeds and make smokey cool fires that protect their seeds. So what is guild is Lobostemon belliformis? - is it a hot or a cold reseeder? - I guess we will only know when we do our "cool" fire (yes, everyone seems to know what is best - remove all the fuel - vs just the firewood) and it comes up by the millions or nothing comes up at all.

It is the same with the rains. Different species only flower in drought or in floods. I wonder how long it will be before we understand this aspect of it. But dont worry: you may not understand it, but the plants do. They have survived over 5 millions of hot, cold, dry, wet, and during that time our decadal variation is trivial: we dont know real drought, or real floods, or real heat waves, or real cold - but the plants have been through it 20 times longer than modern humans have (since Eve - not the biblical lass with the apple and the snake - anyway).
So we are having fun patterns on the Peninsula with our flowers - weird seasons: no early rains so our spring is late and intense. And Protea lepidocarpodendron has skipped its first growth spurt (it does three per year when young - veld is still 3 years old, the first becomes the flowering spurt in adults), and is flowering on its second - most unusual: let us see what it does with its summer (3rd) growth spurt. Will post this on iNat later this month (its spring: falling further and further behind)!!!

Keep up the great work. Always a pleasure to read your reports!! Sort of MAKES the whole week.

Publicado por tonyrebelo hace más de 5 años

PS: in our gardens in the Cape there is a mite attacking some Ericas - esp. E. bauerae - it kills or weakens all the new growth. I will try and get details from Anthony Hitchcock (oleum works well in controlling it). But please keep an eye out for this in your rambles in the southern Cape. It manifests as yellow or cream new leaves (instead of bright green) and the leaves drop off early (after a few months rather than a few years) and those stems dont flower.
It would be nice to get confirmation that this is not the problem (or when it appears in the botanical gardens).

All the more reason to be aware of pathogens. CREW really should promote hygiene far more. We really should walk through a sterilizing bath before any trip, esp. a visit to any rare species or isolated patch. They do it in Australia in the Phytophthora areas. And every botanical garden in the UK now has entrance mats. A 500X300mm plastic tray with a plastic mat, and 5mm of Jik or Dettol should do the trick. After all it just takes one case of garden boots and we could wipe out several rare species on our visits. This is probably FAR FAR more serious than bothering about people collecting plants posted on facebook and other websites.

OK So I don't understand fire. It's not the only thing I don't understand. But I am constantly amazed at the amount of trouble you take to keep us with our noses to the grindstone and to educate us. Thanks for all this. Will send to the group. But I will also buy a tray and some Jeyes Fluid, Jik or Dettol. So you do not speak in vain. Great to have you back. Can I use some of this in the Reportback for next week please?

Publicado por outramps-tanniedi hace más de 5 años

you are most welcome!

https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/phytophthora/how-you-can-help-prevent-the-spread

How You Can Help Prevent the Spread of Phytophthora Root Rot
Everyone has the potential to inadvertently spread Phytophthora root rot in bushland with the movement of soil be it on vehicles or even your boots and gaiters.

As it will never be possible to fully map and advise the public where all Phytophthora root rot infections are, a few simple actions are recommended that guard against it's spread. These simple actions are equally effective in managing the spread of many other pests, weeds and diseases as well.

How to help

Check, Clean, Disinfect and Dry.
As a minimum Check Clean Disinfect or dry you vehicle, equipment and boots etc between trips to different locations. Wash your boots, gaiters etc in water with a little soap and rinse off. The dirty waste water may contain Phytophthora root rot or other pests and diseases so don't dispose of this on your garden. Instead tip it down a drain that connects to a septic tank or a sewage system as this will most likely destroy any Phytophthora root rot that is present. When cleaning vehicles ensure the wheel arches and underside of the vehicle are washed and commercial washbays may be used to ensure the effluent is safely disposed of.
Walkers should also clean their boots and gaiters at walking track washdown stations. Most of these are installed at the start of walking tracks.
If washed items will not be dry for 48 hours prior to their next use consider using a disinfectant such as F10Sc or a methylated spirits spray as a surface sterilant after washing.

When you use your tent pegs, toilet trowel or anything else that is placed in the soil, wash or wipe them clean of dirt at the place they became soiled before moving on.

Do not dig up soil or plants from the bush (on public land you will need a permit to do this from the managing agency anyway), you may unwittingly collect Phytophthora root rot as well.

Further Information
For more information on preventing the spread see Keeping it clean - A Tasmanian field manual to prevent the spread of freshwater pests and pathogens.
Keeping it Clean: Biosecurity Videos

The following are available from Parks and Wildlife Service Offices or national park visitor centres:

Phytophthora root rot ....the plant killer - pamphlet
Mud spreads phytophthora root rot - poster.

Contact: Vegetation Scientist
Tim Rudman

Biodiversity Conservation Branch
GPO Box 44
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6165 4318
Fax: 03 6233 3477
Email: Tim.Rudman@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

More - these guys are paranoid ...
from "A Northumberland Alpine Gardener's Diary"

Nevertheless, one of the main themes of the Conference was the grim message of the rapid spread of so-called 'Sudden Oak Death' (Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae) which despite its name actually infects many woody plants, rhododendrons more severely than any others, but also camellias, magnolias, viburnums, drimys and most of the other woody treasures of our great 'Atlantic' gardens. The disease is water-borne, not least on wet feet, and all great gardens now have 'foot and mouth disease type disinfectant mats to tread upon in an attempt to halt the disease. Curiously, Drimys winteri is the most infectious of all hosts. The disease seems to be spreading fastest in warm wet conditions, especially in south-west England, and in some gardens there up to 70% of the rhodos have already been removed in an attempt to slow contagion.

from: "Visiting The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Children"
As we arrived at the entrance to the West Gate we had to walk over disinfectant mats before entering the main building. This we learnt was to protect the plants from disease.

How is this: from Tasmania. Fire Fighting!! (https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/15130802_52keepingitcleanspreadswe.pdf)

BEFORE GOING INTOTHE FIELD
• Consult with the relevant land manager to identify specific protocols and procedures that apply.
• All equipment should be Checked Cleaned Disinfected and Dry ready for deployment.
• Wherever possible, assess the level of risk. High risk areas include:
o Phytophthora Management Areas and known locations of Phytophthora (refer to Appendix B). The latter is also important when sourcing local water for firefighting.
o Locations where Chytrid fungus is present and areas where there are endemic and threatened frog species (refer to Appendices C and D).
o Remote areas - large areas with no vehicle access (on private or public land), TWWHA or off-shore islands.
GENERAL HYGIENE PROCEDURE
• Apply rigorous planning and hygiene protocols (including disinfection of vehicles and equipment) when working in high risk areas. Check Clean and Disinfect before you arrive and between sites.
• For complex and emergency response situations follow the protocols prescribed by Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Tasmania or the Tasmanian Fire Service to assess the level of risk and identify the management response.
• Refer to Hygiene protocols for vehicles and heavy machinery and include all equipment (e.g. pumps, hoses, bladders, buckets, earth moving equipment, helicopter skids) in hygiene procedures.
• Refer to Hygiene protocols for movement of gravel and soil between sites, and road construction and maintenance.
• Minimise the transfer of mud and water between locations.
etc.

They are worried about Phytophthora on their heathlands, Chitrid Fungus in their wetlands, plus a few other diseases.

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