Archivos de diario de septiembre 2019

03 de septiembre de 2019

The Middle of Nowhere

The Middle of Nowhere
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
3rd September 2019

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.”

John Muir, Our National Parks

ALBUM 3rd September 2019
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 today – Fynbos Forum Field Trip, Wolwedans, Kouga Wildernis, STOP PRESS and Out and About in the Southern Cape.

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

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Wolwedans
A couple of weeks ago, we joined Stuart Thomson on a walk below the Wolwedans Dam, at the request of the Great Brak River Conservancy. One of our objectives was to photograph the plants and post them on iNaturalist, so that the Conservancy can generate species lists and determine the way forward for the area.

After some to-ing and fro-ing, we found the meeting-place at the start of the hike outside the distinctive Beatnik Leatherworks building. The dry conditions were immediately apparent. The lack of rain in the Southern Cape is severely impacting flowering times and the condition of the plants. Week after week, the depressing sight of struggling plants is beginning to take a mental toll on the Outramps psyche.

The GBR Conservancy has done an admirable job of clearing Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) in the river course, but there is stilll lots of work ahead. Both Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and the ubiquitous Aussie Invader Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi) are getting a foothold. Rares seen on the day were Erica unicolor subsp. mutica (Endangered) and Dioscorea sylvatica (Vulnerable). The GBR Conservancy must be commended on their dedication and commitment to conserving the area. They are doing an excellent job under difficult conditions.

Tanniedi

Fynbos Forum Field Trip
Elim Ferricrete Fynbos
Fynbos Forum Field Trip – 7 August 2019
Sean Privett of Grootbos led the group to Elim’s communal land next to the picturesque settlement. There is less of the endangered Elim Ferricrete Fynbos left than originally thought. It does not help that this endangered vegetation type grows on soil suitable for agriculture. As it is, the Agulhas plain has been transformed by extensive agriculture. There is also the looming presence of a variety of alien invasive plants.

We drove and stopped at three adjacent sites along a track, but the weather scuppered a visit to a fourth site further away, which is apparently quite different and very worthwhile to the Elim land. The veld presents as unassuming, grey, shin-to-knee-high vegetation, with scattered blotches of butter yellow. A delight to explore. It was teeming with new and interesting plants. It was also teeming with an array of plant lovers and botanists! That meant id’s on tap for the most! The sites varied along the track, in the way which is so typical of Fynbos. At the last count I noted 12 redlisted plants. Ooos and aaas marked all the spots where the dainty moederkappie orchid, Disperis capensis var. capensis, grew. It was simply glowing in the face of all the audible admiration. I swear I could see its tiny chuffed smiles - half hidden by the kappie….

Nodding shyly was Erica bruniifolia and then there was a ‘little pink Erica’, cute Clutia tomentosa, fragile Hesperantha fibrosa (VU) and interesting Proteaceae: Protea subulifolia, P. pudens (EN), P. aspera (VU), Leucadendron elimense subsp. elimense, L. modestum (EN), Paranomus abrotanifolius (VU) and Serruria fasciflora (NT). It was a real pity Echiostachys ecklonianus (VU) and Xiphotheca guthriei (VU) were not in flower, as Ismail pointed them out. He handed me the exquisite and pure white flower of Euchaetis schlechteri (VU), but was really on a mission to get to Erica regia subsp. regia (EN). Had I not seen this plant in the veld, I would most certainly have thought it was developed as a horticultural marvel!

Congratulations to Rupert Koopman and his team on a successful 41st Fynbos Forum at Baardskeerdersbos. May the forum theme: ‘ELIMinate barriers to conservation’ become a self-fulfilling prophecy for the Cape Floristic Region.

Sandra

Kouga Wildernis
I have titled this "The Middle of Nowhere", but I could just as easily have called it , "On a clear Day you can see Forever". This vast untenanted land dwarfs mere humans and firmly puts them back in their place in the universe. The John Muir quote at the start of the Diaries could have been written for Kouga Wildernis.

We were anxious that the continuing drought would leave us with nothing to photograph, but in fact there was plenty, although the veld was looking very dry and brown. The first afternoon we walked up the kloof to the start of the Watervalle. Next morning HAT (Dave, Sebastian and Jo-Anne) set off to the summit on the northern side of the cottage where we stayed. Jen and Sandra went up the steep ridge and then came down the interesting Watervalle track, with ropes strategicallly placed to help hikers over the tricky bits. Bill and I walked to Koos se Bos and back. On Sunday morning, Bill and I followed the same route as SIM had done the day before and Jen and Sandra did Koos se Bos. With all that heen and weering, even I am having difficulty working out who did what.

Koos se Bos
The views were spectacular and the standout plants were Leucospermum cuneiforme in full flower, the delicate pink of Phylica lachneaeoides, tiny little Aristea nana, the pink and white flowers of Erica pectinifolia, a pink Ixia and a white Geissorhiza still to be id'd, the spiky and distinctive Muraltia juniperifolia, Erica andreaei in white, Carpobrotus mellei in palest pink and Erica newdigateae and Diosma hirsuta (I think).

But the undoubted "Star of the Show" was Relhania decussata (Rare). We have previously found this gorgeous plant on the Mast Peak, just west of Mannetjiesberg in the Kammanassie. It is a deep gold colour with an interesting bract arrangement, which is a brilliant, coppery colour. It is stunning!

Koos se Bos is a fabulous hike in magnificent surroundings and well worth the doing.

Kloof
A scarlet Erica, which keys out to Erica diaphana is causing some discussion on iNat. Kenneth Oberlander has referred it to Nick Helme, so we will see. A young Ilex mitis was growing next to the river. There was a stunning pale-lilac Selago and an Oedera that was much discussed. Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood) was spectacular, covered in yellow and red fruit and it was great to look at Virgilia divaricata and be sure of the species. The changeover from V. oroboides to divaricata happens in George and the result is often confusing. Pelargonium panduriforme was all over the place, Erica caffra was over our heads on the stream banks and Nuxia floribunda was covered in cream flower-sprays.

Steep Ridge and Watervalle track Circular
The path up the ridge is steep and challenging, but the reward is some stunning Fynbos at the top. The track down the (now almost dry) Waterfall track is definitely not for decrepit geriatrics. Rock-scrambling and using fixed ropes, puts this hike into the category of "Not suitable for Crutches". But it was loads of fun and in stark contrast to the other hikes we did at Kouga Wildernis. The ancients throughly enjoyed themselves.

Not seen elsewhere - Diosma rourkei (a first for all of us and on iNat), Caputia scaposa var. scaposa, Holothrix aspera, Argyrolobium incanum, Protea tenax with very broad leaves, a soft, silver-leafed Aspalathus - probably A. kougaensis, Aspalathus aciphylla, Syncarpha milleflora, Leucospermum wittebergense, Haemanthus albiflos, the delicate Geissorhiza heterostyla, Polygala microlopha, Haworthia mucronata and Dioscorea sylvatica (Vulnerable). In addition there were a whole lot of indigenous trees in the Kloof - too many to itemise.

It would take a book to mention all the plants. Those listed are by no means comprehensive. We had a wonderful 3 days on this remarkable property.

tanniedi

STOP PRESS
During a recent discussion about iNaturalist's identification algorithm, Tony told us about the iNat app for kids called "Seek" (https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app).

While reading the blurb I had a very vivid flashback to my youth. My most prized possession when I was about 4 was the little book "I-Spy in the Hedgerow" (one of a range of spotter's guide for kids; "I-Spy On the Seashore" was another favourite) - you'd look for things depicted in the book and then tick them off when you found them. The Seek app is totally the next century version and I'm feeling quite envious.
Sally

Some comments on Indigofera sp. 19
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11227523#activity_comment_335590
mr_fab commented - Need to see if ovary is hairy or glabrous, either way its one of the undescribed species
mr_fab commented
Collected this one today and am happy that its new and different from the one in Kouga. Going to probably be Indigofera outrampsii

Brian aka The Boy/Mr Fab

Out and About in the Southern Cape
Tierkop Peak

There was very little in flower on a freezing cold day with WAGS. But there's always something, even when the drought relentlessly tightens its grip on the Southern Cape. Most spectacular - the bright, golden Wachendorfia thyrsiflora in a seep and Cyclopia subternata on the southern side. A small, compact, white daisy on the track to the summit of Tierkop Peak defeats me. I think this is one for Jan Vlok.

Field Trips
On Friday, SIM will be doing something on the eastern side of George, which we've rather neglected recently. There are various options, but we will confirm the destination later on in the week.

Our September overnighter will be from the 10th to the 14th September. We have been offered free accommodation in Kleinmond and that is simply irresistible. The fascinating Fynbos in that neck of the woods, will keep us more than busy and entertained for 4 days.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie

Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
South Africa

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, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.

Area of Interest to the Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Baviaanskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/bo-kloof-guest-farm-baviaanskloof
Buffelsfontein- https://www.inaturalist.org/places/buffelsfontein-435-portion-2-albertinia
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trail
Eco-reflections https://www.inaturalist.org/places/reflections-eco-reserve#page=1
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Great Brak River Conservancy put on by Stuart Thomson - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/great-brak-river-conservancy
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kouga Wildernis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kouga-wildernis
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay District - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mossel-bay-district
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Jonkersberg Bowl - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-jonkersberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Langeberg https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas North Station -https://www.inaturalist.org/places/north-station-on-the-montagu-pass
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Outeniquas Waboomskraal Noord - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomskraal-noord.
Robberg Corridor - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist

Outramps CREW Group - all postings
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/outramps-crew-group
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geraniaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa (Tony Rebelo)- https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa

Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Outramps CREW Group - iNaturalist stats
57,770 OBSERVATIONS
8,242 SPECIES

(Updated Monthly)

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 and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
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
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the recent power outages.

Walkie Talkies - Botanical walks that include more talking than walking

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

Publicado el septiembre 3, 2019 08:38 MAÑANA por outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

17 de septiembre de 2019

Edible and Delicious

Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
17th September 2019
Hope has two beautiful daughters: their names are Anger and Courage.
Anger at the way things are and Courage to see that they don’t remain as they are
St Augustine
ALBUM 17th September 2019
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 today – Gourikwa and Gouritsmond, Brandberg in Namibia, Meet and Greet, Ruigtevlei Plantations and Out and About in the Southern Cape.

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

For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries

https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6

Gourikwa
It was both a disappointing and exciting day at Gourikwa. Once again, there was no sign of Erica baueri subsp. gouriquae (Critically Endangered) in flower on the northern side. Without the flowers it is impossible for us to find the plants. The question, "Have they completely disappeared, or is the non-flowering the result of the continuing drought"? It has us stumped and very disappointed.

As for the excitement, we could have done without that too. Happily ambling along a track thart runs parallel to the road between Gouritsmond and Still Bay, we came across some beehives. The inhabitants were having none of us on their territory and attacked fiercely. Fortunately, we managed to evade the worst and liberal doses of Celestamine were administered to those who had been stung, We were pretty anxious, as two of the party are known to be allergic to bees. But there were no major ill-effects, probably because of the speed with which they swallowed the pills. The incident did cause some amusement, as Nicky and Jen showed a distinct tendency to fall asleep for most of the rest of the day.

On the basis of, “Discretion is the better part of valour”, we beat a hasty retreat.

P.S. to the bee saga: Sandra reprimanded Nicky, "What do you expect when you dress as a Bietou bush in flower - with NO reward to the bees?" Her rebuttal, "But I get into trouble with Di when I blend in...."


Gouritsmond
Having been chased away by the bees at Gourikwa, we still had some time to spare for more botanising.

There is a trail that has been laid out on the north-western side of the Gouritsmond village. It has numbered plants that coincide with an attractive pamphlet that gives the names. Considering the dry conditions, a surprising number of plants were in flower. These were the specimens that occasioned the most Oohs and Ahs:
An incredibly floriferous Polygala myrtifolia
Falkia repens in pale pink and white
Lime-green Manulea - possibly tomentosa
Crassula ciliata
Gnidia squarrosa
A stunning Podalyria with large, cream flowers and dark-green leaves
And the most unlikely of all - a couple of stunning Gladiolus grandiflorus, looking a little out of place in the dry, coastal Fynbos.

tanniedi

Brandberg in Namibia
A group of eight of us climbed the Brandberg in north-west Namibia in early June - a mixture of explorationists, rock-climbers and eager teenagers. It's a tough three-day haul to the peak and back, made even tougher as you have to carry a lot of water.

Brandberg is a steep-sided granite pluton that intruded around the time that Gondwanaland was breaking up and South America deserted Africa and set sail for the west - 150 million years ago.

Namibia is in the grip of a vicious drought and the dry weather meant that the mountain-top plants weren't at their best. However, the San and Damara rock art is fantastic - Brandberg is a world heritage site with the highest concentration of rock art in the world, with over a 1000 known locations. There is also an extremely healthy population of leopards atop the mountain feeding on fat little dassies.

Interesting plants seen include:
Euphorbia monteiroi brandbergensis
Welwitschia mirabilis
Nasaea luderitzii
Heliophila minima (large range extension)

Dave

Ruigtevlei Plantations
I hope that you have picked up the significance of the rather "bont" Diary title, Edible and Delicious. Carpobrotus edulis and deliciosus were the most common flowering plants on the day making a stunning show of bright yellow and magenta. Also adding lilac to a rather drab landscape was Selago burchellii (Vulnerable). Every now and then, we spotted Leucospermum cuneiforme, gorgeous in yellow and orange. The occasional flower on Ruschia duthiae (Vulnerable) caused some excitement, particularly as it was a first sighting for me.

I mentioned a rather drab landscape. This is because large tracts of this plantation land have been sprayed with Glyphosate. What with Pines, fire, tree-felling, replanting and spray, the Fynbos must be thinking "If it's not one thing, then it's another." Fortunately there are lots of areas that have escaped, particularly on the north-facing slopes. Hopefully, the rain (when it eventually arrives) will revitalise the Fynbos. We were very pleased to see that the occasional Dioscorea burchellii (Vulnerable) has survived the onslaught.

The last time we walked around the vlei, the grass that inhabits the whole vlei-area was beige and gold. This time it was bright green. On both occasions there didn't seem to be any water in the vlei. Is that because of the drought, or is it always like that - an intriguing question?

tanniedi

Meet and Greet
My Mondays are usually dominated by rather boring grocery-shopping sorties. It made a very agreeable change to go hiking instead. Jo-Anne King is the local Branch Chairman of the Botanical Society of South Africa and she had organised for us to meet the new CEO of BotSoc, Antonia Xaba. Toni had asked to do a short hike with the Outramps, followed by lunch. BotSoc. is the main funder of SANBI's CREW Volunteer Programme.

When in doubt, a safe choice is always Dune Molerat. So we did a shortened version, taking in the Swartvlei Lookout and avoiding the eastern water-logged section. Nobody was keen to wade into waist-deep, muddy water. We're definitely getting soft!

Cullumia carlinoides (Near Threatened) was over its best, but Erica formosa was making a beautiful Spring show. There is some debate about the id of a Hyobanche that we saw on a track off the main hiking trail, but the jury on iNat is still out on the species name. We were very pleased to see Lebeckia gracilis (Endangered) in flower.

And then we were off to Pomodoros in Wilderness for lunch, which was very much enjoyed. Toni is a real livewire and we think that the future of our beloved BotSoc. is in very capable hands. Thanks Toni for making the time to meet some of the members of the Outramps CREW Group. Altogether a very pleasant way to spend a Monday. I could just become accustomed to it.
tanniedi

Out and About in the Southern Cape

Herolds Bay
Metalasia muricata, Freesia leichtlinii subsp. alba (Near Threatened) and Cullumia carlinoides (Near Threatened) were the dominating flowering plants on Wednesday with WAGS. However for me, the tiny, delicate Euchaetis albertiniana (Endangered) was the star of the show. Huge waves pounded the jagged coastline and a cloudy sky gave promise of rain that never came.

Gericke's Punt
Again, it was an overcast and ominous sky on Wednesday with WAGS. We walked to Gerickes Punt and beyond, with a quick sortie up the Sphinx en route. And this time, there was a light drizzle as we got back to the carpark. Gladiolus cunonius and some rather bedraggled Felicia echinata were about the only plants in flower. By the time we got home, the rain had stopped. We can only hope that there is more to come.

tanniedi

Hartenbos Heuwels – 1 September
A chance find of a Watsonia last year at Hartenbos Heuwels, where I only saw one plant, was a bit of a puzzle for me. I gave it a very tentative id of Watsonia aletroides (NT). It is a pink colour form and could even be a hybrid with Watsonia laccata. There had been a fire since the earlier visit and I was hoping to find it again. Babiana fourcadei, literally all over, was a delight and I was chuffed to find a small population of the pink Watsonia aletroides. They still puzzle me and I asked Sally to bear them in mind for MSB purposes.

Danabaai’s Painted Ladies – 31 August
Vincent Surics of Danabaai invited me to visit an open space in this Mossel Bay suburb to discuss management options for it. The suburb is developing rapidly, with the usual demise of indigenous vegetation. So it was a wonderful surprise to find a couple of Painted Ladies, Gladiolus grandiflorus, in full flower on the site. Good luck to Vincent and his worthy custodianship.
Sandra in Mossel Bay


Field Trips
On Friday 20th, SIM will be joining Johan Baard from SANParks to check on Gasteria barbigera post-fire to the east of Knysna. Johan discovered this Gasteria a few years ago and it has been named after him. It has not yet been assessed for status on the Red List. We have never seen it, so very much looking forward to this adventure. The Ballots Bay residents have asked us to do a plant survey on Friday 27th.
Hamba Kahle
Groete en dankie
Di Turner
Outramps CREW Group
South Africa

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, Malthinus and Mattmatt on iNat. Thank you all for your ongoing help and support.

Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.

Area of Interest to the Southern Cape Herbarium - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/southern-cape-aoi
Baviaanskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/bo-kloof-guest-farm-baviaanskloof
Buffelsfontein- https://www.inaturalist.org/places/buffelsfontein-435-portion-2-albertinia
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trail
Eco-reflections https://www.inaturalist.org/places/reflections-eco-reserve#page=1
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gamkaberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gamkaberg
Gerickes Punt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gerickes-punt#/places/gerickes-punt
Great Brak River Conservancy put on by Stuart Thomson - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/great-brak-river-conservancy
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
Gouritzmond - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/the-gouritsmond-commonage
Heaven in the Langkloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/heaven-in-the-langkloof
Herolds Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-herolds-bay
Kammanassie - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kammanassie-reserve
Klein Swartberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/klein-swartberg
Knysna - Westford Bridge https://www.inaturalist.org/places/westford-bridge-estate-knysna
Kouga Mountains Kliphuis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kouga-mountains
Kouga Wildernis - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kouga-wildernis
Kranshoek - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-kranshoek-
Langeberg Grootvadersbosch - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve
Masons Rust - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/masons-rust-32-ptn-4-gezwinds-kraal-41-ptn-0
Mons Ruber and surrounds - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mons-ruber-and-surrounds
Mossel Bay District - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mossel-bay-district
Mossel Bay Aalwyndal - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/aalwyndal
Mossel Bay Diosma Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/diosma-reserve
Mossel Bay - :https://www.inaturalist.org/places/hartenbos-heuwels

Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-14072
Mossel Bay - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/erf-19201
Mossel Bay St Blaize Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/st-blaize-trail
Natures Valley - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/nature-s-valley-south-cape-south-africa
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas, Collinshoek and the Big Tree - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outenoquas-collinshoek-and-the-big-tree
Outeniquas - Cradock and George Peak Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cradock-peak-trail
Outeniquas Doringrivier East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-doringrivier-east-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Eseljagt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagt-eseljagt-and-surrounds
Outeniquas Eseljagtpoort - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ezeljagts-poort-72-ptn-0-eseljagt-poort
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Jonkersberg Bowl - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-jonkersberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Langeberg https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
Outeniquas Montagu Pass North - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-montagu-pass-north
Outeniquas North Station -https://www.inaturalist.org/places/north-station-on-the-montagu-pass
Outeniquas Paardekop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/paardekop-13
Outeniquas Paardepoort East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-east
Outeniquas Paardepoort West - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-paardepoort-wes
Outeniquas Pizza Ridge - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-pizza-ridge
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
Outeniquas Waboomskraal Noord - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomskraal-noord.
Robberg Corridor - : https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-roodefontein-440-ptn-42
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-krans-hoek-432-ptn-5
Robberg Corridor - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/robberg-coastal-corridor-e8267c6b-9263-4a87-a721-a24619be6dc8
Rooiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-rooiberg-reserve
Spioenkop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/ruigtevlei-plantations
Strawberry Hill - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/strawberry-hill-7-passes-road-wilderness-south-africa
Swartberg Bloupunt - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bloupunt-swartberg
Swartberg Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-swartberg
Swartberg, Swartberg Pass to Bothashoek high and low - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/swartberg-pass-to-bothashoek-jeep-track-and-crag-route
Swartberg Waboomsberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/waboomsberg-in-the-swartberg
Uitzicht Portion 39 - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-portion-39
Uitzicht - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/uitzigt-216-ptn-65
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-1-buffalo-bay
Western Head – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-2-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/walker-s-point-215-portion-3-buffalo-bay
Western Head - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/western-head-knysna
White Heather - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/white-heather
Wilderness Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail – https://www.inaturalist.org/places/brown-hooded-kingfisher-trail
Wilderness Kingfisher Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kingfisher-trails
Witteberg Kromme Rivier - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/kromme-rivier-72-ptn-0-willowmore

Outramps CREW Stellenbosch HAT node
Jonkershoek created by Vynbos - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/jonkershoek-cv
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/mont-rochelle-nature-reserve
Papegaaiberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/papegaaiberg

Outramps Projects on iNaturalist

Outramps CREW Group - all postings
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/outramps-crew-group
Ericas of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/ericas-of-the-southern-cape
Fungi of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fungi-of-the-southern-cape
Geraniaceae of the Southern Cape - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geraniaceae-of-the-southern-cape-of-south-africa
Lianes and Creepers in the Southern Cape and Little Karoo - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/lianes-and-creepers-of-the-southern-cape-and-little-karoo
Veg Types of South Africa (Tony Rebelo)- https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vegetation-types-of-south-africa
Flowers of the High Drakensberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/flowers-of-the-high-kzn-drakensberg

Outramps CREW Group - iNaturalist stats
57,770 OBSERVATIONS
8,242 SPECIES

(Updated Monthly)

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 and is now the Curator of the Garden Route Botanical Garden
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
SA - Stay Attractive is Google's translation of "Mooi Bly"
OTL - Out To Lunch is used to describe the Buchu Bus when she's taking a break after she's behaved badly
DFKIAA - A very funny video in Afrikaans is doing the rounds. It refers to the recent power outages.
Walkie Talkies - Botanical walks that include more talking than walking

Publicado el septiembre 17, 2019 04:02 MAÑANA por outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario