A rusty Horseshoe

Tuesday 25th September 2018
Midbrak Conservancy
Sandra arranged for the Outramps to collect data at Erf 271, Reebok, a neglected and disputed 44ha area of natural vegetation between the fairly busy Impala Road and the railway line. Nicky, Gail, Rusell and Sally met up with Wendy and two other local residents from the Midbrak Conservancy (Matthew and Robin) as well as Stuart from Great Brak. The morning was clear and calm and soon saw us stripping off outer layers as we fought our way through the sometimes prickly thicket. Getting to the centre of the property appeared to be especially awkward (there are no paths to speak of) so we worked our way down the western edge and along the southern side just above the railway. Progress was slow as we concentrated on snapping as many pics as we could, while Rusell was in charge of the tick list (prepared by previous surveyors).

Euchaetis albertiniana (EN) is thriving on the plot and we also came across Cullumia carlinoides (NT). We noted approximately 25 species not previously recorded, with several still needing confirmed identifications.

Highlights included an enormous yellow Hermannia bush, a baby angulate tortoise and a vast stand of Haemanthus albiflos happily growing under some very thick thicket.
Sally

Cyclopias and The Sport
The rain came pouring down on Saturday, topping up the good falls on Friday. We watched the Springboks inflict an inconceivable and little anticipated defeat on the mighty All Blacks and by lunchtime, we were suffering from Cabin Fever. So we loaded the hounds into the car and drove to the entrance of Bergplaas in the Outeniquas.

The Cyclopias are just emerging and there were splashes of gold all over the slopes. These combined with magenta Erica seriphiifolia to paint a colourful picture against the dark grey of the threatening clouds that scudded overhead. The green Erica nabea was an unusual sight. But it was towards the end of the afternoon that we spotted "The Sport". As far as I can recall, I have never seen a white Erica seriphiifolia before. The leaves too, were a much lighter green than the magenta plants. Does this coloration denote the presence of a defective colour gene and if so, do botanists really refer to it as a "sport"?

The only blot on an otherwise perfect day was the presence of many aliens. Apart from the Pines, there was Blackwood (profuse), Eucalyptus, Phytolacca, Bugweed and a number of other foreign invaders.
tanniedi

Paardeberg Farm, Attaquas, Western Outeniquas
This was a second trip to the Moore’s farm in the Western Outeniqua mountains. It was part of a South Cape MCSA weekend with a hike up to an unnamed Peak at 1215m , as well as a circular through the Attaqua mountain foothills as an alternative hike. Hat Evie was keen to undertake the peak – having done the traverse in August– however a niggling back issue made me decide to do the easier option for the day. Tony had to be on standby for HAT duty and he proved to be most diligent, returning with photographs and some specimens. The Peak area was full of blue Psoraleas, Othonna parviflora and the mighty prickly Cullumia aculeata. Geissorhiza rosealba(LC) and pink Acmadenia tetragona (NT) were dotted in various spots.

Evie and Nicky joined in to do the circular hike in the Attaqua foothills. A lovely day out – very relaxed and Nicky was able to participate in umpteen photographic moments – there were no time constraints! Acmademia tetragona (NT) was very obvious in the established Fynbos, with Serruria fasciflora (NT) in several spots. There were a few “blou tulps” – possibly ??Gladiolus rogersii (LC). Green Erica unicolor ssp unicolor was quite dominant, and pink Ericas were much in evidence - especially the very sticky and glossy Erica glomiflora with its longer conical flowers.

In the 20 month old burn area numerous Leucospermum cuneiforme were resprouting, as prostrate bushes with Phylica velutina (NT) were also resprouting. While Evie only recognized Hermannia angularis in the old burn areas, where it seems to be particularly dominant, Nicky of course noted at least 5 other different Hermannia sp

Evie

A Window of Opportunity
Groeneweide with WAGS on Wednesday
There was heavy rain on Tuesday evening and early on Wednesday morning. The proposed hike was Groeneweide, but the takers were few and far between - most people not believing the forecasts, which talked of a 'Window of Opportunity" from about 7am to lunchtime. Bill and I decided to walk directly from Strawberry Hill and the other Wagsites(?) went from Saasveld and did the Blue Route. We did the Red Route with some minor adjustments.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day and made it back in time before the gale-force south-westerly got really going and the rain pelted down again. The afro-temperate forest is looking good. There was lots of fungi and the forest floor is girding itself up to burst into flower. Along the path there was huge evidence of the mast-fruiting of Olea capensis ssp macrocarpa a few months ago. The fallen fruit is all over the place and the Bushpigs in particular, are making a meal of it.

On the short Fynbos section there was a wonderful clump of Senecio glastifolius, which we don't often see. Hippia frutescens was in full flower and Penaea cneorum ssp gigantea is looking spectacular. Just above the track that leads down to the magnificent pools and waterfall on the Silver River, an Agathosma had me puzzled. It smelt like Agathosma ovata, but it's leaves were a lot bigger than the usual plants. I will have to consult Dave, as this highly variable species has tripped me up many times before.

With Marge up in Jhb busy being a Granny, it was many thanks to Stewart for a really good morning.
tanniedi

Rooiberg
An ancient superstition says, "If you find an old horseshoe you should instantly spit on it, then throw it over your left shoulder making a wish at the same time". Unaware of this superstitious ritual, we didn't go through it. Despite this, Lady Luck was on our side.

On Friday, with permission from Tom Barry, we drove up the Rooiberg jeep track for about 5km in Mike's Landcruiser. This put the concrete road within walking distance for some of the faster walkers. After parking the car, we divided into 3 groups, Nicky opted to go east in the direction of the Rooiberg Pass, Mike and I went west, criss-crossing the jeep track to explore all the kopjes to the north and south and Evie and Sandra walked to the concrete road and a little beyond.

When we found the horseshoe on the jeep track, we knew it was going to be a good day. Some of the Leucadendron sp.nova (Rare) have escaped the fire and there are juveniles appearing in the burn.There were also some fire escapees in the Leucospermum pluridens (Near Threatened) and Leucadendron rubrum populations. Mike and I were also delighted to find juveniles on the Leucadendron tinctum (Near Threatened) site on the northern side of the jeep track. They were about 10cm high and bode well for the future. A stunning orange Romulea (maybe jugicola - Vulnerable) opened up as the sun moved overhead.

The first time that we saw Pteronia hutchinsoniana (Rare) was on the Rooiberg Jeep Track in about 2014. We never saw it again on Rooiberg, although we are now finding it all over the northern foothills of the Outeniquas post-fire. We were thrilled to find a small patch of about 10 plants this time. It obviously enjoys the post-burn conditions and lack of competition.

And we were even able to climb to the top of a kopje with a beacon, which satisfied my desire to get to the top.
tanniedi

The Concrete Roaders - from Sandra
When turnaround time came it was with great reluctance that I did so. Evie was waiting for me back at our lunch spot. Dramatic landscapes and views of gorges, rocky cliff faces, faraway mountains, deeply incised water ways - made for an intoxicating tug to carry on, but I had to seriously nudge myself off my dreamy little cloud to backtrack, regretful of missing the plants that were becoming more and more interesting with the gain in altitude.

As usual Evie darted on and off the track. Next to Erica syngenesia an almost brick red Oxalis charmed me to yet another photo stop. Pelargonium tricolor here and there, the odd Gladiolus rogersii, a shallow grassy valley lined in the yellows of four Hermannia species - H stipulaceae the main colour donor - past buchus, daisies (ID’s of these pending!), Erica melanthera, past the rocky koppie with the interesting Otholobium sp. and back to where we parked amongst a feast of PROTEACEAE which Di will no doubt report on.

O Rooiberg, jou mooi berg – I hope to be back, and soon!
Sandra
Mystery Otholobium
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16786782
Oxalis
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16786783

Down the Road
Leaving Mike’s car parked part of the way to the concrete Road, all the party except me headed west. I had decided to wander downhill to the east. This meant I would not be holding up anyone while I took photos, and I could walk until the car picked me up on the way home.

The weather was ideal for hiking, and I took the chance to try to photograph butterflies and other insects (most of them not very cooperative), peer into flowers and clumps of leaves and enjoy this patch of Rooiberg sandstone fynbos that burnt about 2 years ago. Although the area has experienced a dry spell, the recent rain has stimulated growth. It was obvious that spring had arrived! Muraltia dispersa, Carpobrotus mellei; Dianthus bolusii, Erica recta, Pelargonium fruticosum; Gladiolus floribundus, Paranomus dispersis, Oedera squarrosa, Dimorphotheca montana, Othonna quinquedentata, Heliophila elongata, Erica melanthera, Erica cerinthoides var. cerinthoides, Cyclopia intermedia, Pelargonium tricolor, Leucospermum pluridens, Cyanella lutea and Roepera fulva were only a few that I photographed. I don’t think the rest of the group were at all surprised when they picked me up not far from the drop-off point!
Nicky
It was approx.1km down the road, but wait for the photos. You'll find they are worth it. - ed

From Tony Rebelo
In our gardens in the Cape Peninsula, there is a mite attacking some Ericas - esp. E. baueri - 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 don't flower.

It would be nice to get confirmation that this is not a problem (or to know when it appears in the botanical gardens). All the more reason to be aware of pathogens. CREW 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.
Tony
Jeyes Fluid, a tray and a rubber mat are on my shopping list for Monday - ed

STOP PRESS
Just in - Muraltia knysnaensis (Endangered) has been found on Erf 271 in the Midbrak Conservancy. Previously only found between George and Plettenberg Bay.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16692715

Well done Team and wonderful work to spot it and get the id, Nicky. Confirmed by Dave, who has masochistically taken on the Muraltias for the Outramps.

Congratulations All!

Forthcoming Field Trips
Bill and I will be joining the Laings, the Vloks and Prof Richard and Shirley Cowling in the foothills of the Kouga at Kliphuis on the banks of the Kouga River for the weekend.This is a wonderful opportunity and I simply can't wait. Nicky and Evie will be going with the MCSA on a trip to the Klein Swartberg to climb Liggies, the trail on Elandsberg and to explore a nearby kloof over the same weekend.

Closer to home, Sandra is organising a field trip (to be determined) on Friday 28th September. On 1st October, she is also organising a Rooikrantz-pulling session at the Diosma Reserve together with the Fransmanshoek Conservancy and Cape Nature. I will be taking the Millenium Seedbank people up to Tierkop on Tuesday and Nicky will meet them on Wednesday at Endlovana on the Brenton Peninusla. We will decide on our destination for Friday 5th a little closer to the time, when we've had a chance to check weather forecasts.

There will be no Reportback on Tuesday 2nd, but expect a bumper version the week after.
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.
Outramps Places on iNaturalist – You can browse through the observations or refer to the checklist which is in alphabetical order eg. Animals, birds etc.
Cola Conservancy - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cola-conservancy
Dune Molerat Trail - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/dune-molerat-trails
Featherbed Nature Reserve - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/featherbed-nature-reserve
Gouriqua - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/gouriqua-private-nature-reserve
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
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 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/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#page=2
Outeniquas Bobbejaanberg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-bobbejanberg-in-the-outeniquas
Outeniquas Camferskloof - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-camferskloof
Outeniquas East - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-eastern-outeniquas-from-bergplaas-to-gouna
Outeniquas Flanagans Rock - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/flanagans-rock-rsa
Outeniquas Lange Berg - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/lange-berg-112
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-west
Outeniquas Southern Traverse - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-outeniqua-southern-traverse
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 Spitskop - https://www.inaturalist.org/places/outramps-crew-spitskop-to-meiringspoort-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
.
Outramps Projects on iNaturalist
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 - 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

Posted on September 24, 2018 09:12 AM by outramps-tanniedi outramps-tanniedi

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