sarobinson's Identifications

Geissorhiza bonaspei

Growing on windblown sands of marine origin (the "Fish Hoek Gap" - Clovelly-Noordhoek sand corridor) at the base of Dassenberg Koppies, Noordhoek, in habitat that is a matrix/mix of Hangklip Sand Fynbos and Cape Flats Dune Strandveld - with the largest population locality tending more towards Dune Strandveld. The largest group of some 15-20 individuals was in a patch of short vegetation dominated by Ischyrolepis eleocharis, but other individuals were also along paths to the east from this location in more Hanklip/thickety habitat. The site is part of Table Mountain National Park, but has no access control or active SANParks presence. The area has not been burnt for a long time (>>15 years?) and was previously badly invaded by Port Jackson, with multiple dry stacks, huge seedbank and recruitment still of concern. Apart from lack of fire, this area is under ongoing threat associated poor management that does not take its regional importance into account. Firebreak expansion from ca. 20m width to ca. 40m and associated dumping of cleared shrubby vegetation was done by contractors employed by SANParks right next the the localities (within 5-10m) in Dec 2015, and all areas are subject to trampling by unmanaged public access and ever-changing paths. All these factors place this population at fairly high risk going forward unless better management can be implemented.

Creeping Foxglove / Asystasia

Port Edward, Leisure Bay

1. Environment. On the beach front and on road sides in the coastal bush. Very common.
2. Plant. Low herb competing with other flowers.
3. Leaves. 40 by 20 mm (est). On stalks, opposite, hairy, prominently veined below.
4. Inflorescence. Saw ones and twos ant the end of the stalks.
5. Flowers. 5 petaled, white, 15mm, tubular flowers with puckered lower lip with mauve markings.
6. Bracts. Narrow at base of flower.