SYZYGIUM

Ed Silberbauer There exists a confusion as to what Syzygium is, and which and what species to avoid planting in your garden in and around Betty's Bay.  If you study the following sources and list of syzygiums, you may be forgiven if you become more confused. Source Botanical name Common name National List of Introduced Trees, F von Breitenbach Syzygium cumini Java Plum  x783 Syzygium paniculatum(= Eugenia paniculata) Water Pear  x784 SA Book of Trees, Prof Wicht (pg 229) Syzygium cordatum     (=Eugenia cordata) Water Berry Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of SA, Clive Bromilow (pg…
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WALKS PLANNED FOR 2016

February - Explore the Hangklip Ecological Corridor and hear its story with Allan Heydor Saturday 20 February Meet at the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens at 09h00. Explore breathtaking views and outstanding natural beauty in the Hangklip Ecological Corridor. Hear its rich human story from Allan Heydorn, the role of the WWF-SA, the vision and generosity of the donors who made it possible, the dreams and sorrows that make this area special and visit the memorials that quietly commemorate their vision. To join this February walk in the mountains between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay,…
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TALKS PLANNED FOR 2016

Saturday 20 February: Sean Privett of Fynbos Trails will speak on ‘Forests in the fynbos, the southernmost Forests in Africa’. At 18h00 at Nivenia Hall, HPBG. Saturday 19 March: Keir Lynch of the Overberg Lowlands Conservation Trust will speak about Renosterveld and the work of the Trust. (Harold Porter now has a Renosterveld garden.) At 18h00 – Venue: Pringle Bay Community Hall
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NEW ZEALAND CHRISTMAS TREES

Ed Silberbauer Betty's Bay, as everyone knows has the privilege of lying in the richest floral area in the world. So why do we mess it up? We have here a wide variety of alien invasive plants of all shapes and sizes, some more awful than others. Of all the 'awfuls' the New Zealand Christmas tree tops the list. This tree was introduced to Betty's Bay in the 1950s and became a great favourite in Sunny Seas as it withstands salt air and strong winds and provides a magnificent floral display at Christmas time. By…
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ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN PLANT NAMES

You love plants but ... you don't know what their names mean.  We want to help you, AND perhaps you can help us? Hugh Clarke and Michael Charters have written an Illustrated Dictionary of Southern African Plant Names that takes the mystery out of plant names, containing nearly 5,000 entries. ‘Why do I like this book? Because they have produced an excellent volume full of useful and interesting information that anyone interested in botany will enjoy and find intriguing.’ Eugene Moll, Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of…
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AN OMISSION

Last month we posted an article about Felicia echinata taking over, with this picture. But we omitted to include the gardener’s name. So here he is - Brian Njodzi, during a day’s work when an area of dune at Silversands was cleared of Felicia echinata
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THE SCOURGE OF ACACIA ELATA IN BETTY’S BAY

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.…
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FELICIA ECHINATA IS TAKING OVER

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…
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