Summer in Impendle

Plant enthusiasts and amateur botanists seem able to find floral treasures wherever they wander. Sharp eyes spot interesting things along roadsides, on working farms and in residential areas – often in unexpected places.   The Impendle area is rich in special flora – a collection of summer flower photos gathered recently follows.

Kniphofia laxiflora are particularly spectacular this season,

there seem to be more Kniphofia buchananii than usual too.

The altitude in Impendle is much higher than the surrounding midlands, so it comes as no surprise to find Ericas amongst the rocks.

Many flowers attended by beetles, bees and butterflies, including this Xysmalobium (possibly parviflorum?)

The large flowered Pachycarpus grandiflorum in abundance.

With the ground saturated, the vleis were a picture with Satyrium hallackii en masse –

quite the most gorgeous colour.

Manulea florifera

Pycnostachys reticulata

along stream beds, the grey leaved Senecio macrospermus was evident

and clumps of Alipidea – either woodii or amatymbica  which is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data List.

A nest cleverly woven between stalks of Chlorophytum krookianum

Plenty of orchids at this time of year – including the tall Pterygodium magnum

Habenaria dives

and this Satyrium – possibly neglectum?

Schizochilus flexuosus

On the road verge – Ink plant – Harveya speciosa

Wahlenbergia

Dainty Morea brevistyla and

bright blue Morea inclinata – the nodding wild Morea

Crassula alba (or is it C. vaginata?)

and a small Crassula clinging to the rocks  – Crassula pellucida?

Cheerful Berkheya, with attendant insects

Eucomis autumnalis

Plenty of Watsonia densiflora in full bloom

and the indigenous bramble – Rubus ludwigii

Agapanthus campanulatus have also flowered profusely this summer

Interesting small compact, grey leaved shrub – Helichrysum spiralepsis

Hibiscus trionum

Dainty Polygala hottentotta

This little unidentified blue flowered plant – any ideas?

Where have you been exploring lately?   Why not head up towards Impendle?  Take the Dargle Road and amble all the way through to Boston.