From a distance, the fynbos in springtime lights up with golden splashes as though the sun is shining through gaps in the cloud. These bright yellow patches are created by conebush proteas, Leucadendron. In the Klein River Mountains, the most common species is Leucadendron xanthoconus. “Xanthoconus” means yellow cone and…
The Green Heath, Erica sessiliflora, is one of the unmistakable heathers of the fynbos. With over 600 species of Erica in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region it is not surprising to find that each species will share at least some characters in common with other species. Erica sessiliflora…
Of the eight species of sundew, Drosera, at Phillipskop, Drosera cistiflora has the largest and most beautiful flowers. The flowers are in shades of white to pinkish white and 5 to 6cm across. At the base of each petal is a very dark iridescent spot. This spot attracts the primary…
Common names are often descriptive but few are as ironic in their description as that of Climber’s Friend, Cliffortia ruscifolia. Climber’s Friend is a member of the Rose Family, Rosaceae, and the most recognized member of the large Cape genus, Cliffortia. The species is well-known for growing amongst rocks and…
It is not just animals that are nocturnal, some flowers also come into their own as dusk gathers. Hesperantha radiata is one of these flowers. During daylight hours, the dark red outer petals are closed firmly around the anthers and style. The flowers are almost invisible to a passerby and…
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…
