adriaan_grobler 的最愛

Africa^s southernmost plant endemic

Previously only known from the Type (1938), collected right here, and one other collection (Acocks, 1962, Northumberland Point, some 4km to NE), it is remarkable that this species has remained unknown since then. Erroneously sunk into the very different O subulatum in CP2. This is sure to be Africa's most southerly endemic, occurring only within a few hundred metres of Cape Agulhas itself. The Northumberland Point locality may still exist, but I somehow doubt it as there was a lot of development in that area just after Acocks was there in 1962. I looked at various spots between here and his locality with no success.

Seems to be restricted to a tiny area less than 1ha in extent, on firm alkaline sands with marine cobbles, amongst dwarf thicket exposed to strong winds. Occurs with a creeping, tomentose form of the variable and widespread O monilifera (see pic 3). Hard to say how many plants as it creeps and is densely tangled, but given very small AOO likely to be less than 50, and should thus be upgraded to CR. Is within current Agulhas NP, but not necessarily safe, as occurs within 30m of the main road, and the area is heavily touristed, and at least 1ha of this habitat to the west is currently being dug up for an edifice to mark the southernmost point. Technically also vulnerable to sea level rise, as probably less than 2masl.

I am stumped by this one. There were fields of Leucadendron uliginosum ssp uliginosum and then this one bright green Leuc with red cones. It had the same growth patterns as the other L, uliginosum in the vicinity. First thoughts were ssp glabratum, but seemingly that can't co-exist with ssp uliginosum. I wondered about rourkei and loeriense, but they occur some distance to the east. We did notice that there were occasional plants greener that the majority and we wondered if we weren't in a transition zone of some sort. It's over to you Meneer @tonyrebelo I have specimens of grey, greener and greener still if you need them. Please put me out of my misery

Is this possibly an invasive Aussie visitor - possibly spread from cut-flower production in the vicinity?
Friends were visiting in the area and were intrigued by the presence of several of these plants in bloom in what appears to be fynbos. Be glad of information from someone who can shed more light on the topic.