Threatened Plant Species – Curtisia dentata

CORNACEAE: Curtisia dentata (Near Threatened)

Curtisia dentata, from the family Cornaceae is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s Near Threatened trees, occurring from Ngome Forest to KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. This tree is commonly known as Assegai, and threatened by over-exploitation and bark harvesting.

The tree grows between 15m and 20 m tall with leaves that are leathery, shiny and dark green in colour. The leaves are opposite, 120mm long and 75 mm wide, with dense bunches at the base. The under leaf is pale green with noticeable veins.

The stalks are about 25mm containing fine red hairs. The flowers are small, cream-coloured and velvety, with about 10-25 flowers per umbel, varying from yellow to brownish red.

The fruit are drupe, one or two seeded, and white to red in colour.

REFERENCES:

• Notten, A. (2004, July). Curtisia Dentata. Available on: http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/curtisdent.htm [Accessed on 2 June, 2016]
• Pooley, E. (1998). A field guide to wildflowers KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
• Williams, V.L., Raimondo, D., Crouch, N.R., Cunningham, A.B., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Lötter, M. and Ngwenya, A.M.(2008). Curtisia dentata (Burm.f.) C.A.Sm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. [Accessed on 2 June, 2016]
• Images by A. Rebelo; D. Turner; C. Lochner and A.E. Symons

Threatened Plant Species – Nerine pancratioides

AMARYLLIDACEAE: Nerine pancratioides [Near Threatened]

Nerine pancratioides, commonly referred to as the White Nerine, is a plant that grows up to 600 mm long. It was previously observed in parts of the Midlands, south-western KZN as well as in north-eastern Lesotho. This gorgeous flower is also featured in the Midlands Conservancies Forum 2016 Wildflowers Calendar.

Nerine pancratioides photographed in the Karkloof by Richard Booth

Habitat loss and destruction has caused a significant decline in the species population size in several of its localities, and in some instances even resulting in extinction. Deterioration of wetlands in the form of overgrazing, invasive alien plant infestation and damming are major concerns for the population’s survival.

Nerine pancratioides photographed by CREW

The plant grows in moist areas with acidic soils, on banks of streams, in grassy depressions and in seepage areas on steep hillsides. The flowers appear between March and April and are known to respond well after fires have occurred.

Nerine pancratioides photographed in the Karkloof by Richard Booth

The leaves grow to 300 mm long, are narrow, round at base and almost flattened towards the top. The stalk is robust growing to 600 mm long. The sheathing bracts are narrowly egg-shaped with sharp tips. The pedicels are densely covered with hairs, 300−450 mm long. The inflorescence is umbel, 10−20. Tepals are ± 25 mm and white.

Nerine pancratioides photographed by CREW

If you have seen this plant, please contact Suvarna Parbhoo, CREW programme: KZN Node Manager S.Parbhoo@sanbi.org.za

REFERENCES:

• Baker, J.G. 1896. Amaryllideae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis VI (Haemodoraceae to Liliaceae):171-246. L. Reeve & Co., London.
• Craib, C. 2004. Nerine pancratioides. Degradation of grassland habitats by exotic plantations are threatening the beautiful white Nerine with extinction. Veld & Flora 90:105-107
• Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2015. Nerine pancratioides Baker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2016/03/16
• Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wild flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.

Threatened Plant Species – Disperis woodii

ORCHIDACEAE: Disperis woodii [Declining]

Disperis woodii commonly known as Wood’s Disperis was named after John Medley Wood (1827 – 1915), a botanist and collector who became the first curator of the Natal Herbarium. Many people will know him through his numerous publication on KZN flora. The exquisite orchid is a declining species, which is under threat from urban development and sugarcane cultivation.

Disperis woodii is found in the damp, sandy grasslands of KZN and the Eastern Cape, growing to heights of between 40 – 150mm. Disperis woodii contains two leaves that are alternate, sharply pointed, dark green with silvery veins, egg-shaped with the wider part below the middle and are situated at the base or on the stem.

Wood’s Disperis – Disperis woodii. Photograph by Geoff Nichols

Flowers are solitary, whitish or pink, in the axil of a small bract on a red stalk. Median sepal are egg-shaped with an upright, tubular spur (a slender hollow extension of the perianth, often containing nectar), 10 – 15mm long and dark yellow-green. Lateral sepals are broadest at the middle with two equal rounded ends, gradually narrowing to a long tip, however, the spurs are not pointed and are 4 – 6mm long, marked with a longitudinal pink streak. The petals are attached to the median sepal, curved like a sickle and divided into two unequal parts. They are long and rounded in outline, gradually narrowing to a long tip of 5 mm long and 3 mm wide. The ovary of Disperis woodii is egg-shaped and about 4 mm long.

Disperis woodii can be seen flowering between March and August.

Please report sightings of these naturally occurring plants to Suvarna Parbhoo, CREW programme: KZN Node Manager s.parbhoo@sanbi.org.za

References:

• Kurzweil, H. & Victor, J.E. 2005. Disperis woodii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/06/04
• Linder, H.P. & Kurzweil, H. 1999. Orchids of Southern Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam.
• Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wildflowers KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.

Threatened Plant Species – Hydrostachys polymorpha

HYDROSTACHYACEAE: Hydrostachys polymorpha [Vulnerable]

Meet this unusual plant, Hydrostachys polymorpha, a perennial aquatic fern-like herb which is unable to survive without the turbulence of the water. Living life on the edge takes on a whole new dimension with this plant that has found a perfect formula for adhesion, nature’s very own super glue, allowing it to cling onto the rocks and thrive in the white waters which give rafters a thrill.

Hydrostachys polymorpha by Alexander Rebelo

This plant is found on the rocks in the fast flowing fresh water within the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Umvoti and Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and the presence of the species is greatly affected by habitat degradation, river pollution, harvesting for medicinal use and most importantly reduced water flow.

Hydrostachys polymorpha grows up to 400 mm high. The leaves of the plant are basal and remain submerged in water. Leaves are 100 – 400 mm, contain small leaflets that are curled up, which gives the leaf a coarse wart-like appearance. The petiole and axis of the compound leaf are flat and coated with several wart-like outgrowths that are sometimes winged. Pinnae (leaflets of a pinnate leaf) are sub-opposite, numerous, spreading and 30 mm long.

Photograph by D. Gwynne-Evans

Hydrostachys polymorpha flowers from May to August. The plant contains a spike inflorescence with alternate and sessile flowers along a common unbranched axis. The spike is erect above the water and dioecious (male and female flowers are borne on separate plants). The male and female are similar, strong, and occasionally smooth, grow to 300 mm long and occur from the base of the plant. The stalk is leafless, strong, and occasionally smooth. The male flowers have overlapping bracts that are broadly egg-shaped with very small bumps near the pointed apex and recurved margins. The female flowers have bracts that are shaped like bivalve molluscs, 3 mm long and a lip-like tip with a central nerve extending downwards.

The fruit of Hydrostachys polymorpha are flattened, smooth, egg-shaped and hidden inside the bract. The seeds are small and orange.

Remember to report sightings of these naturally occurring plants to Suvarna Parbhoo, CREW programme: KZN Node Manager s.parbhoo@sanbi.org.za

References:

• Obermeyer A.A. 1970. Flora of Southern Africa 13: 211
• Sieben, E., von Staden, L. & Raimondo, D. 2006. Hydrostachys polymorpha Klotzsch ex A.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2015/06/04

Threatened Plant Species – Brunsvigia undulata

AMARYLLIDACEAE Brunsvigia undulata [Rare]

Bulbous plant up to 800 mm, found in grassland near exposed rocks at Mahaqwa Mountain, Nottingham Road and south of Estcourt. Leaves are upright, about 15, in a fan, shiny blue-grey-green, margins wavy to tightly wavy, produced with flowers.

Photo by Peter Warren

It has 35-80 flowers in the inflorescence during January to February. The stem is rigid and strong, bracts are leathery; flowers deep red, tepal lobes recurved, stalks upright – about 300 mm.

Photo by Peter Warren

If you have seen this plant, please contact Suvarna Parbhoo, CREW programme: KZN Node Manager s.parbhoo@sanbi.org.za

References

POOLEY, E. (2005) a field guide to wildflowers KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. p.38

Snijman, D.A. & Victor, J.E. 2004. Brunsvigia undulata F.M.Leight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2014.1. Accessed on 2014/11/28

Photo by Boston CREW

This information is complied by CREW KZN Node.  To view other Threatened plants in this series, go to the Midlands Conservancies Forum website: http://www.midlandsconservancies.org.za/threatenedplants/tplants.php