The editor reserves the right to edit contributions. Deadline for the next newsletter is Monday 2 November 2015. Please address all mail to: Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society, PO Box 85, Betty’s Bay 7141 E-mail: peterb5424@gmail.com Editor’s e-mail: b.attwell@mweb.co.za read more
If you change your address, wish to resign or change your status, please notify the Botanical Society Head Office on (021) 797-2090. To receive this newsletter via e-mail (and save the Branch the costs of printing, packaging and postage) send your address to peterb5424@gmail.com. read more
2015 2014 Rainfall mm 92.5 70.5 Temperature 0C Max 34 37.5 Min 9 8 This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Errors and omission excepted. (E&OE) read more
Merrilee Berrisford Penny, a longstanding member of the branch and a previous chairman, has now been a resident of Clareinch Nurses War Memorial Home in Pinelands for over a year. I think all who know her will be pleased that she is not only being lovingly cared for but can be in a garden bright with spring flowers and a prize-winning Gnidia. Here she is with the Gnidia and Sister Newman showing her the certificate – Second Prize in the Cape Horticultural Show. This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or… read more
Article compiled for the Kogelberg Branch of the BotSoc by Dr Allan Heydorn Originating in south-eastern Australia, the Peppertree wattle, Acacia elata, is an invasive species causing increasing concern in the Western Cape. As with other invasive Acacia species, it displaces indigenous fynbos vegetation, lowers groundwater levels and poses a serious hazard during wildfires. It spreads rapidly through prolific seed production and dispersion. A. elata is listed under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) as Category 1b. Its removal is therefore enforceable by law. Unfortunately, A. elata is also spreading rapidly in Betty’s Bay.… read more
Merrilee Berrisford Kogelberg Branch is thirty years old. In 1985, under the chairmanship of the late Avril Nunn, the Betty’s Bay Wild Flower Society became an official branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa. We are celebrating by having a family picnic after the December talk which will take place on Saturday 12 December at 10 am. We have a very special venue, Stroompie, an unspoilt piece of land with milkwoods and a stream on the coast beyond Betty’s Bay towards Palmiet River. Christine Dreyer, representing the owners, has given us permission to use… read more
Merrilee Berrisford Saturday 28 November, 6 pm in Nivenia Hall, Harold Porter NBG We have traveled with Judy to Papua New Guinea, the Richtersveld, the Central Kalahari and now it is Peru. We know we’ll be on an exciting journey. After the talk there’ll be a finger supper with juice and wines from Leopard’s Leap, taken from the generous donation by Hanneli Rupert for the book launch. There’ll be prizes: Judy is planning a quiz, correct answers will be rewarded with a bottle of wine from Ayama Estate. Keep your tickets for a lucky draw… read more
Merrilee Berrisford This dune daisy is very definitely not locally indigenous - coming from the Eastern Cape - but right through September it has been flowering prolifically all over the sandy areas of Betty’s Bay. Millions of seeds will be forming ready to crowd out more of our precious wildflowers. Barbara Jenman is leading a charge; battle-hardened Edward Silberbauer thinks we have already lost this particular campaign. The Harold Porter Nursery wisely no longer stocks this daisy. If it is in your garden or on your verge, please root it out soonest. This article is a… read more
Saturday, 17 October. Prof Gavin Maneveldt of the University of the Western Cape Marine Biology Department will speak on wildflowers on road verges and urban open spaces. Saturday, 21 November. Grant Brooker of Pringle Bay will speak on Eco-pools. This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Errors and omission excepted. (E&OE) read more
Andrea Benn This was an excellent and inspirational talk about the alien species of plants, not indigenous to the Kogelberg, that spread from gardens into the fynbos and become invasive. Ulrike Irlich is employed at the Cape Town Invasive Species Unit based in the Westlake Conservation Office in Westlake, Ou Kaapse Weg. It is linked to SANBI, WESSA, the Department of Environmental Affairs, the City of Cape Town and others. The aim of the Unit is to protect our natural heritage from alien invader plants. Unfortunately, many home owners are either unaware or uncaring about the plants… read more
