Zandvlei Trust

Zandvlei Inventory and Monitoring Programme   (ZIMP)

Botany Group  –   (is the most active of the groups).

photographs by Robin Burnett

Pelargonium multiradiatum                                  Corycium bicolorum

The Botany Group found these interesting plants at Zandvlei in November 2007.

May 2007 - The group were donated 2 copies of this new revised book by the Botanical Society. We are very greatful, and these will be very useful on outings, especially with new members to the group.

photograph by Steve Davis

Carol Duckitt explaining the herbarium protocol at Rondeberg Nature Reseve on the West Coast.

Additional help required.

• We need more people to actively participate at various locations around Zandvlei and on the mountain side. 

• Come and join this interesting and fun project.

The Botany Group is currently the following;
 

Restio (Chondropetalum tectorum) on Park Island in April 2006.

Restio (Chundropetalum tectorum) flowering part or inflorescnce.

Introduction

The Fynbos Kingdom has +/- 9000 species of plants. Of these 69% are endemic (occur no where else). There are +/- 2500 plant species on the Cape Peninsula. At Zandvlei there are 400+ species.

Classification

The Fynbos is generally split into tires from an altitude aspect and one of the lowest is the Pioneer Asteraceous Strandveld, which prevails at the Zandvlei Estuary area (a highly impacted area in terms of urbanization).
The estuary area is characterised by Chrysanthermoides, Carpobrotus and various annual plants such as Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae and Orchidaceae. The biotic interdependence of this sphere is critical and every measure is being taken by Conservation Management to further the link with flora and fauna species in order to facilitate this.

Biotic interaction

This type of fynbos vegetation is not reliant on fire for rejuvenation but relies on biotic interaction. Birds, insects mammals and reptiles are responsible for pollination and seed dispersal.

Primary aim of the Botany Group

They have endevoured to collect a meaningful library of speciemens in order to create an Herbarium at the Zandvlei Nature Reserve, which can be used by both the primary and tertiary learners. They have generated a scientific database of the plants in the Zandvlei Estauary area since 2001. Prof Timm Hoffman and Terry Trinder-Smith at the Bolus Herbarium, UCT Dept of Botany have trained this group to collect, identify and press plant and flower samples in a scientific manner. The reference material may be used in future scientific work.

(The above is an extract from the CD by Steve Davis, which is available – see below.)

 
photograph by Steve Davis

The Botany group working in the road reserve during 2004, doing field research.

Reports (Click to read them)

• 12 September 2005 report.
• Concern about lawn mowing at Lakeside.
• Plant rescue at Pelican Park (Zeekoevlei) by  the Botany Group.
• October 2005 visit to Silvermine River in Fish Hoek.

photograph by Steve Davis

Robin, Pat and Els at Niewoudtville studying the plants there, to be able to understand more about the plants at Zandvlei.

Contact Steve Davis or Robin and Patrica Burnett

2. The Plants of Zandvlei is available from Steve Davis .

3. Restios of the Fynbos

Els Dorrat is the author together with Peter Linder. This is fine fieldguide on the Restios of the Fynbos area.
Contact her for enquiries  eldoha@mweb.co.za