4X4 Route in the Burned Veld? Sunday Flower Walk

In some areas even individuals walking as we do in the recently-burned veld stand a chance of heavy fines. One has to wonder at the wisdom of allowing a 4X4 route straight up a hill in the burned area we have been monitoring. Nobody thought to consult with us, who know the area intimately, about the location of critically endangered plants, when the route was laid out.

4X4 track straight up the hill

One can only imagine the erosion these tracks will lead to when the serious rains come! As it is, it's a small miracle that this track missed the largest stand we have so far found, of the critically endangered Agapanthus walshii by five metres. It misses a burned Leucospermum oleifolium by less than that. Other plants were less fortunate.

Crushed Everlasting?

Another crushed plant

We have been taught that plants react to fire by either re-sprouting or re-seeding. We have been observing the Protea cynaroides, and we know where to find them. We're delighted to find what we think are seedlings coming up in their vicinity now!

We are hoping these are Protea seedlings

More of the same

Encouraged by what we were finding, I went back to look at one large example we know of on what we call Protea Peak.

Protea cynaroides, sprouting at the base?

What's that at the base? Here it is up close.

Close-up of growth in the picture above

Could that be re-sprouting?

Our favourite Buchu Agathosma crenulata is now in full flower!

Buchu Agathosma crenulata in full flower

We were attracted to a splash of orange from far away (there isn't much colour apart from green in the veld!) and came to this fungus which might be examples of Sulphur (or Brick?) Tufts Hypholoma sp.

Could these be Sulphur or Brick Tufts Hypholoma spp ?

Here's what the stems and gills look like:

Stem and gill detail

Re-sprouting Rhus / Searsia, with distinct ribs in the leaves, which are in threes:

Rhus or Searsia

Here's a new one.....

What is this?

Stem detail:

Up close

The Sour Figs Carbobrotus edulis seemed to suffer badly in the fire. This is the very first example we've found since.

Sour Fig Carpobrotus edulis, the first we've found since the fire

We're still watching these with curved leaves and Wachendorfia-type pleated leaves!

Could this be a Wachendorfia?

It took some searching to find this which we think is Othonna heterophylla, being so eaten-away. I notice now there's one bud towards the top of the plant in the picture.

Othonna heterophylla

We'r still foxed by this plant, one day it will surprise us with a flower, I hope we catch it in bloom!

What is this?

In some areas there are many of these, any guesses what they might be?

Gladiolus? 

One more picture of the 4X4 route, should it be allowed here?

Crushed plant and 4X4 route sign

Last week I showed a picture of a pair of Malachite Sunbirds. Imagine my surprise, walking out of the Auto Electricians to find a pair of Black Sunbirds feeding on the Chasmanthes! They are not common here! Him......

.... and her!

:-) A