Protea?

I am getting used to the Cape vegetation and the abundance of Protea plants here. The variety is amazing! Here is a pic I snapped last year in the Easter Cape, near KwaZulu-Natal. I gather this is a type of Protea or am I mistaken? The colour of the flowers is so vibrant and there are hairy pods on the stem. Who knows what it is?

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Flattest yet!

At the weekend we went for a hike in Hout Bay. As well as great views (Signal Hill and the back of Table Mountain in the distance), I came across this strange plant. It is the flattest that I have seen yet! Any ideas on it?

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Winter flowers

Here in Durban we have a remarkably mild winter, which is in fact, the flowering season for a number of plants, in particular aloes and succulents. They are beautiful!

Patrick

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Spekboom in South Africa

Here’s some info I found on Spekboom’s distribution in South Africa.

Addo Elephant National Park

Spekboom (Portulacaria Afra) grows in abundance in the drier parts of the Eastern Cape, especially on the high plateau Karoo hill slopes or flats (c. 400 to 1,060 meters above sea level) and is particularly prominent in the Addo bush to the south where there is significant summer heat. A vast section of Spekboom grows in the Addo Elephant National Park, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, near Port Elizabeth. The park was created to protect the once numerous Eastern Cape elephants. It consists of 12,126 hectares (30,315 acres) of bushveld, dominated mostly by Spekboom, which covers approximately 80% of the park’s area. Some 500 species of plants are to be found in the park. Elephants eat P. Afra from the top downwards allowing the plant to spread itself vegetatively by spreading [...]

Indigenous Garden Tours

Come and experience two indigenous gardens in Durban North on Sunday 20 June. Be inspired by the tranquility of Nicole & Allan Gershanov’s small, natural haven in the middle of suburbia and then move on to landscaper Jean & Mike Rodel’s colourful, steeper garden to see what can be achieved in just four years. Tours lasting up to 45 minutes at each garden will be led by the owners and will start at the Gershanovs’ home followed by a short drive to the Rodels’. To complete the occasion, enjoy tea and cake with us whilst taking in an awesome view of the sea. Plants and books will be on sale.

Pre-booking and pre-payment essential. Guided tours at 08h00, 10h00, 12h00, and 14h00.

Entrance: BotSoc members R40,00 per adult or R20,00 per child.
Non-members: R45.00 per adult – R25.00 per child.
Proceeds to Botanical Society of SA KZN Coastal Branch 003-394 NPO
Contact: Botanical Society on email: botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za or tel.: 031 201 5111 (Mondays and Thursdays).

Directions will be sent on confirmation of booking.

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