Jumping the Garden Fence by Ulrike Irlich -18 September 2015

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 in their gardens that have jumped the fence and are spreading into the natural fynbos. The two houses that were destroyed during the Cape Town fire this year were surrounded by pine, gum and acacia. Betty’s Bay houses in Bass Road and Clarence Drive, also with Eucalyptus (gum) and Acacia elata (wattle) close by, were fortunate our recent fire didn’t come closer!

Ulrike had a list and specimens picked in Betty’s Bay of invasives that are happily rooting amongst and smothering the fynbos. At the Unit in Westlake several teams of efficient workers are employed. Their strategy is Early Detection, Rapid Response. When an affected area is noticed early on, the control costs are lower. The larger the area, the bigger the trees, the higher the cost of removal. The warning was clear – be aware of what is in your garden; don`t move plants from ‘foreign’ areas. Perhaps that is how Spanish Broom, Red Valerian, Bottlebrush, Pampas Grass, Teabush, Pittosporum and others have spread into the fynbos. These are illegal as listed in the new government (NEMBA) regulations. Have you checked the plants in your garden recently?

I mentioned that the talk was inspirational as at last help is at hand with the new regulations. A real ‘baddie’ in our area, originating from south-eastern Australia – the Peppertree wattle (Acacia elata) – is spreading. It displaces indigenous fynbos, lowers groundwater levels and is a serious hazard during wildfires. It is listed in NEMBA as category 1b, which means its removal is enforceable. If a tree on your property ‘explodes’ in the heat of a fire you will be responsible for any damage caused thereby to a neighbouring property. Every municipality must have a management plan in action.

There is a Hotline 0800 205 005 which you can phone to report the presence of invasive aliens in your area. You will be given a reference number and can phone for feedback after 8 weeks. This is all good news and with responsible Betty’s Bayers we may one day declare ourselves a beautiful, indigenous, unique village – a show piece on the coastline.

There are a few invasive alien water plants and animals – mallard duck, guttural toad, and house crow, but fortunately not found in our area.

Thanks to Ulrike for sharing her passion for our natural heritage and for the research she put into her talk. It is up to each one of us to love and protect the indigenous beauty of the Kogelberg.

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)