Journal archives for March 2023

March 13, 2023

Plants possibly extinct in Gauteng

Calling all Gauteng iNatters to assist in searching for these 4 plant species across the province:

APOCYNACEAE Ceropegia discoideum (CRPE)
(was Brachystelma discoideum)
This species is possibly extinct at the type locality (Shoshanguve, north of Pretoria) where it has not been seen since 1968, despite many repeated searches. There are some indications that it possibly has a wider distribution in similar sandy bushveld habitat in North West and Mpumalanga provinces, but there has been no other collections or confirmed records. It is possibly extinct, but more field surveys in suitable habitat is needed.
(full red list account)
Ralf Peckover describes the flower colour variation here:
http://www.flora-africa.com/Flower%20colour%20variation%20in%20Brachystelma%20discoideum.pdf

APOCYNACEAE Miraglossum laeve (CRPE)
A rare and very poorly known species, last collected in 1960. Dedicated searches on the hills south of Pretoria and the Vredefort Dome north-east of Parys have thus far failed to relocate it and is possibly already extinct due to habitat loss and degradation.
(full red list account)

ASTERACEAE Macledium pretoriense Pretoria Karmedik (EX)
(was Dicoma pretoriense)
The only known locality for this species - hillsides in Pretoria - has been transformed by urban development. It was last collected in 1925.
(full red list account)

ORCHIDACEAE Holothrix micrantha Egoli Hair Orchid (CRPE)
A rare, range-restricted species last recorded in 1925. Several searches within its habitat - Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld, Egoli Granite Grassland - have thus far failed to relocate this species in the wild. It is possibly extinct, but also cryptic and easily overlooked, and a small chance remains that it may still be relocated.
(full red list account)

Posted on March 13, 2023 09:26 AM by suvarna suvarna | 5 comments | Leave a comment

KZN Plants that may be extinct in the wild... or awaiting a rediscovery

iNatters across KZN are required to search for these plant species, currently listed as Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CRPE):

APOCYNACEAE Ceropegia rudatisii Hillcrest Lanternflower
Known from a few collections in an area extensively transformed by agriculture, forestry, and invasive alien plants. Searches across KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld vegetation revealed very little pristine vegetation remains within the known range of this species and no subpopulations were found.
(full red list account)

APOCYNACEAE Pachycarpus rostratus Nkandla Pachycarpus
Known from a single record from an unspecified site in the Nkandla district. This area is extensively transformed and degraded as a result of overgrazing by livestock, a deleterious fire regime, afforestation and crop cultivation. It has not been seen in more than 100 years.
(full red list account)

APOCYNACEAE Riocreuxia woodii Inanda Candlevine
Known from an inexact type locality at Inanda near Durban, where it was collected in 1884. Searches have been unsuccessful, however, experts believe that it may still be relocated as intact habitat remains in the area.
(full red list account)

ERICACEAE Erica natalensis Mont-Aux-Sources Heath
Only known from the type collection, which came from Mont-Aux-Sources in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. The area where it is thought to have been collected is degraded due to livestock overgrazing. Search efforts are ongoing, but have not been successful to date.
(full red list account)

FABACEAE Lotononis dichiloides Fernham Lotononis
This species was last collected in the 1930s. Its habitat, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, is >90% transformed due to urban expansion, and agriculture and is degraded due to overgrazing and too frequent fire.
(full red list account)

MELIACEAE Turraea streyi Daintyleaf Honeysucklebush)
Two known wild sub-populations disappeared as a result of dense invasive alien encroachment, and one introduced sub-population of three individuals remains near the type locality. More than 80% of its coastal habitat has been transformed due to sugarcane cultivation, coastal development, and alien plant invasion. There is little hope that it could be found elsewhere in the former range.
(full red list account)

PASSIFLORACEAE Adenia natalensis Natal Elephantroot
Known from two collections made in 1865, this presumably very rare species may still be relocated in the area where it is thought to have been collected as intact habitat still remains. Search efforts are ongoing, but have not been successful to date.
(full red list account)

Posted on March 13, 2023 12:01 PM by suvarna suvarna | 12 comments | Leave a comment

March 22, 2023

City Nature Challenge 2023: will your estate be participating?

This year's CNC is just over a month away

Rally the community within the estate you reside in, or work in, to participate.

For more info: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023-ethekwini

Check out the participating cities across southern Africa: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-southern-africa-2023

Posted on March 22, 2023 09:06 AM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

KZN housing estates Challenge this CNC

Do you reside in an estate in eThekwini?
Rally the community within the estate you reside, or work in, to participate.
An opportunity to showcase the biodiversity surrounding your home.
While the garden plants will be marked as cultivated, the pollinators will certainly be wild.

We have a project for estates across the City, check out https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/kzn-residential-estates
There is a global project for wildlife around our homes - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes

Looking forward to adding your estate, leave a comment for us to assist.

Posted on March 22, 2023 09:16 AM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

KZN estates challenge this CNC

Do you reside in an estate within iLembe?
Rally the community within the estate you reside, or work in, to participate.
An opportunity to showcase the biodiversity surrounding your home.
While the garden plants will be marked as cultivated, the pollinators will certainly be wild.

We have a project for estates across the City, check out https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/kzn-residential-estates
There is a global project for wildlife around our homes - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes

Looking forward to adding your estate, leave a comment for us to assist.

Posted on March 22, 2023 09:17 AM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

KZN estates challenge this CNC

Do you reside in an estate in the KZN Midlands?
Rally the community within the estate you reside, or work in, to participate.
An opportunity to showcase the biodiversity surrounding your home.
While the garden plants will be marked as cultivated, the pollinators will certainly be wild.

We have a project for estates across the City, check out https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/kzn-residential-estates
There is a global project for wildlife around our homes - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes

Looking forward to adding your estate, leave a comment for us to assist.

Posted on March 22, 2023 10:01 AM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

KZN estates challenge this CNC

Do you reside in an estate in the KZN south coast?
Rally the community within the estate you reside, or work in, to participate.
An opportunity to showcase the biodiversity surrounding your home.
While the garden plants will be marked as cultivated, the pollinators will certainly be wild.

We have a project for estates across the City, check out https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/kzn-residential-estates
There is a global project for wildlife around our homes - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/never-home-alone-the-wild-life-of-homes

Looking forward to adding your estate, leave a comment for us to assist.

Posted on March 22, 2023 10:02 AM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Biodiversity in our City Parks?

Have you thought of recording observations while having a picnic at our local parks?

Here's a list from North to South of our city:

Tongaat: Amanzamnyama Park; Belvedere Drive Park; Casaurina Park; Havencrest1 Park; Havencrest2 Park
Phoenix: Gandhi Peace Park; Woodview Park; Grove End Park; Queens Park
Verulam: Trennance Park
KwaMashu: Pholani Park
Newlands: Riverdene Park; Valleydale Park
Durban North: Saxon Park (La Lucia) ; Potomac Par; Rinaldo Park; Bridgevale Park; Kenville Park; Japanese Gardens; Umgeni River Bird Park; Riverside Park; Blue Lagoon Park Danville Park; Seaton Park

Central: Mitchel Park and Zoo; Jameson Park; Sutton Park; Oasis Park; Harris Crescent Park; Waterfall Park; Berea Park; Durban Botanic Gardens; Old Fort Gardens; Pavillion Park; Amphitheatre Park; Gugu Dlamini Park; South Beach Park; Victoria Embankment Park; Albert Park; Ushaka Marine World; Bulwer Park; SPCA Park; Booth Park; Redmore Park

Westville: Conway Park; Reunion Park; Westville Park; Portman Park; Strathay Park; Ocean Lea Park; Duncan Park; Sunny Brae Park; Fyfe Park; Iver Park
Pinetown: Otto Volek Park; Trim Park; Lahee Park; Padfield Park; Alfred Park
Queensburgh: Escombe Station Park; Vauxhall Park; Brookside Park
Kloof: Kloof Memorial Park; Elizabeth Park; St Hellier Park

Sodurba: Bellair Triangle Park; Moelwyn Hughes Park; Irevenia Park; Umbilo Park; Montclair Park; Van Riebeck Park; Nagel Square Park; Rooks Park; Te Huis Park; Vinter Park
Chatsworth:Woodhurst Park
Amanzimtoti: Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary; Pipeline Park; Umdhoni Park; Fynn Park; Civic Centre Park
South: Illovo River Picnic site; Umgababa Park

Posted on March 22, 2023 12:17 PM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

How biodiverse is our City Parks?

Have you thought of recording observations during the CNC from our local parks?

Here's a list from North to South of our city:

Tongaat: Amanzamnyama Park; Belvedere Drive Park; Casaurina Park; Havencrest1 Park; Havencrest2 Park
Phoenix: Gandhi Peace Park; Woodview Park; Grove End Park; Queens Park
Verulam: Trennance Park
KwaMashu: Pholani Park
Newlands: Riverdene Park; Valleydale Park
Durban North: Saxon Park (La Lucia) ; Potomac Par; Rinaldo Park; Bridgevale Park; Kenville Park; Japanese Gardens; Umgeni River Bird Park; Riverside Park; Blue Lagoon Park Danville Park; Seaton Park

Central: Mitchel Park and Zoo; Jameson Park; Sutton Park; Oasis Park; Harris Crescent Park; Waterfall Park; Berea Park; Durban Botanic Gardens; Old Fort Gardens; Pavillion Park; Amphitheatre Park; Gugu Dlamini Park; South Beach Park; Victoria Embankment Park; Albert Park; Ushaka Marine World; Bulwer Park; SPCA Park; Booth Park; Redmore Park

Westville: Conway Park; Reunion Park; Westville Park; Portman Park; Strathay Park; Ocean Lea Park; Duncan Park; Sunny Brae Park; Fyfe Park; Iver Park
Pinetown: Otto Volek Park; Trim Park; Lahee Park; Padfield Park; Alfred Park
Queensburgh: Escombe Station Park; Vauxhall Park; Brookside Park
Kloof: Kloof Memorial Park; Elizabeth Park; St Hellier Park

Sodurba: Bellair Triangle Park; Moelwyn Hughes Park; Irevenia Park; Umbilo Park; Montclair Park; Van Riebeck Park; Nagel Square Park; Rooks Park; Te Huis Park; Vinter Park
Chatsworth:Woodhurst Park
Amanzimtoti: Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary; Pipeline Park; Umdhoni Park; Fynn Park; Civic Centre Park
South: Illovo River Picnic site; Umgababa Park

How many of these sites can you tick off during the CNC weekend?

Posted on March 22, 2023 12:17 PM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Record observations as you explore our City's Nature Reserves

Data collected in each of the reserves contribute to the management of the City's protected areas.
iNat observations as you enjoy being in our city's natural areas ensure that the reserve's species lists are constantly updated.

Here's a list of protected areas/ reserves from North to South of our city:
North: Inanda Dam, Sibaya Coastal, Umhlanga Lagoon, Virginia Bush, Beachwood Mangroves, Burman Bush

Central: UKZN Umsinsi, Pigeon Valley, Bayhead Natural Heritage site, Roosefontein, North Park

South: Kenneth Stainbank, Silverglen Bluff/Happy Valley, Treasure Beach, Ilanda Wilds, Empisini

Outer West: Shongweni, Giba Gorge, Ipithi, Springside, Kranzkloof, New Germany, Marianwood, Palmiet, Paradise Valley, UKZN Westville

Posted on March 22, 2023 01:14 PM by suvarna suvarna | 0 comments | Leave a comment