With its central pointed cone of dense black hair, Protea longifolia is one of the easier members of the genus Protea to recognise. The scientific name refers to the long narrow leaves, which are a better diagnostic character as there are other species with black hairy central cones. The leaves…
This trail offers you extensive views across the Overberg towards Gansbaai, but without too much climbing. The complete hiking trail is about 4 km, but it can also be split into 3 separate loops, should you need a shorter walk. The trail can be walked in either direction – we…
An elephant-shrew is a perfect example of an oxymoron mammal name. The name fuses the largest living land mammal with one of the smallest to refer to a completely unrelated animal. The Cape Rock Elephant-Shrew, Elephantulus edwardii, is shrew-like in general appearance, but like all elephant-shrews, it has the exceptionally…
Snowdrops in Europe are renowned for appearing in depths of winter. The drooping white flowers push their way through the snow. Cape Snowdrops, Crassula capensis, reminded the early European settlers of these popular flowers, though the snow was inevitably lacking. Cape Snowdrops appear mostly from May to July (at least…
