Thursday, Nov. 16—Wolseley

The CREW field trip this week was to Wolseley, a small town near Tulbagh. Caitlin had been contacted by Johan who was working for some landowners who were adding to their wine making activities. He had found some interesting plants that might be specials and so he requested a visit. Off we went. The ‘we’ this time was Caitlin and me and Amira, a young woman from Germany who has been doing volunteer at the Kirstenbosch gardens. Her time with Kirstenbosch was about done but her stay in SA was not. She was going to do volunteer work with a local hospital for a month. Then she would be going back to Germany. But first a visit to the veld.

After some searching and calls for directions between Caitlin and Johan we found each other and were off to find the plants of interest. The owners joined us for a time and then left us to wander. Johan showed us the plants he thought could be special and told us of the plans of the owners in terms of areas to be developed and areas to be left alone.

Turns out that only a few populations of the Leucadendron species found were noteworthy. And a couple of these were only a plant or two or past due for a fire. Not very promising for their continuation. A larger population was located just outside the town cemetery. It might be able to make it.

Though there weren’t many specials, as usual there were numerous plants for me to puzzle over and photograph. And there was an interesting bee fly I chased around for a few minutes. All in all a good trip, with a stop at the Tarzan shoe store in Tulbagh. Then back to Kirstenbosch so Caitlin could attend the reception for the opening of the new wing of offices. CREW is in two of these new offices and its old offices have been redone for new staff members. And it works the same here as at home, the finishing touches were being applied up to the start of the reception. And more was done in the days following!

Now for some photos!

Caitlin explaining things to Johan.

Oscularia deltoides, the neat succulent we found all over. Look at the pyramid-shaped leaves.

Leucospermum cordifolium in glorious bloom. Notice the mountains in the background. You can't get away from them!

Not sure I have seen our species of Cuscuta in such showy display. It is the creamy stringy stems with the white flowers. It was climbing over many different plants. We heard someone here refer to this as witch's tresses.

And last but not least the striking bee fly. It is on the flowers of a species of Crassula.


Edward