Don’t forget to “smell the roses”

 whilst hiking on Table Mountain

One of the most enjoyable things about a walk on Table Mountain, is the opportunity to escape into a wilderness area, and to really enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the pristine floral kingdom found on the mountain. One of the most distinctive smells, is the camphor bush or tree. This small tree, is found throughout the Table Mountain chain and also has very distinctive velvety leaves with a much darker topside and very visible veins on the lower side. The fruit, which is visible from March to November is covered in fluffy cottonwool hairs, and is also extremely eye catching.

The fluffy fruit on a camphor tree

 The next time you pass one, take a leaf and crush it between your fingers. The distinctive aroma is strong, and very pleasant. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history, to assist with blocked sinuses, ease a cough, or as a relaxing rub for sore muscles.

Its Latin name is Tarchonanthus camphoratus which is derived from the Greek word meaning funeral. (presumably due to the preservative properties of camphor)

One of the best things to see whilst walking on Table Mountain is the King Protea.(Protea cynaroides)  This magnificent plant, which is also the National flower of South Africa, stands out, not only because of the size of flower, but also because of the seeming perfection of such a large flower head.

The King Protea

Throughout the summer, the new buds can be seen interspersed with last years dead heads.

King Protea bud

King Protea

The rest of the climb is in the open, on a clear path, surrounded by Proteas. The final 6m up a handy ladder, takes you to the top of the Back of Table Mountain. 

A view down Nursery Ravine

 

 

 

 

 

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During the first few months of the year, one of the greatest attractions of Table Mountain is the Red Disa Flower. Relatively rare, this bright flower is the floral emblem to the Western Cape, and always a pleasure to see.

The Disa is a South African Orchid, of which 131 species are present. The name Disa, originated in Swedish mythology!! This a result of being first described by a Swedish botanist in the 1700’s. The Disa of mythology, was a young woman, presented to the king wearing a fish net!

Disa uniflora, is the correct scientific name, for the more commonly named “red disa” or “Pride of Table Mountain” It is pollinated by the mountain pride butterfly, which is very strongly attracted to the colour red, and will be attracted to a red hiking bag, or socks, as much as to the flower.

Places to see the Disa on Table Mountain are in the perenial streams or permanently damp areas. Thus the Aquaduct, Window Gorge, and Myburghs Waterall offer some of the best viwing.

Red Disa in the Aquaduct. Table Mountain

An abundance of Red Disa's.

The sundews on Table Mountain, are generally found in damp areas. Belonging to the family Droseraceae, these beautiful, and dainty little plants, spell death to any unsuspecting insect that alights on their leaves.

These leaves, (or tentacles) are covered in tiny hairs, and secrete and sticky mucus. Any fly landing there, is instantly stuck, and enclosed in the leaf. Which then secretes enzymes to break down the body of the fly, so it can be absorbed. 

 The plants are named sundews, due to the appearance of the leaves. The sticky secretion gives them the  permanent appearance of having morning dew on them                                                                                                                 

There are 130 species of Droseraceae found throughout the world. 2 of those commonly found on Table Mountain are pictured below.                       

Pincushions are part of the Protea family, and are abundant on the Table Mountain Chain. The flower heads are distinctive, in that they resemble pins poking out of a cushion.

Pincushions have an amazing adaptation to the frequent fires of the Western Cape.
They have a creamy substance on the fruit, which serves to attract ants. These ants carry the fuit to their nests, where once the coating has been removed, the seed lies undisturbed. Following a fire, and the rapid heating and cooling of the soil, caused first by the fire, and then by the bare soils exposure to the sun. The seed then germinates into an environment free of competing adult vegetation and many of the rodents, birds, and insects that may eat the seedling.
This symbiotic relationship, between the plant and the ants in under threat, due to the alien Argentinian ant. These ants, having eaten the substance that attreacted them, leave the fruit on the surface, where they are eaten by birds and rodents.

The pincushion pictured below is the Grey Tree Pincushion. This is commonly found throughout the Cape Peninsula and surrounding areas.

There are only 6 recognized floral kingdoms in the world, and most of these cover huge areas of land. Such as the whole of Australia. Or the Boreal kingdom, which covers virtually the whole of the Northern hemisphere.  We in the Western Cape of South Africa are lucky enough to live in the smallest and most diverse of these kingdoms. The Cape Floral kingdom covers an area from Clanwilliam in the North, to Grahamstown in the East, along a narrow coastal strip. 

With over 2000 species of plant found in the Cape Peninsula alone, we have more species here than are found on the whole of the British isles.

Fynbos, is the major vegetation type, of the Cape Floral kingdom. Of the 7700 plant species found in the Fynbos region, an amazing 70% are endemic. (Found nowhere else in the world). The word Fynbos comes from the Dutch word for fine leaved plant. Although there are many different species of plant found in the region, the 3 most commonly recognized, are: The protea, (Proteaceae). The Erica (Ericaceae) and The Restios’s, (Restionaceae).

Two environmental factors are essential to this type of vegetation. One is the hot, dry summers,  that the plants must be able to survive. Proteas do this through long roots reaching deep into the water table, whilst  Ericas and restios, shut down in the dry season. The second important factor is fire. Without fire, the fynbos would be replaced by forest.,

Fynbos plants have a number of ways survive fires. From underground stems, to the germination of seeds actually being cued by fires.

However, despite such adaptations, many of the fynbos species are under threat of extinction in the present day. Threats include, urban development, and the invasion by alien plant species.

A common sight at the traffic lights of Cape Town, are the flower sellers, with arms full of the striking Arum Lilly. Easily recognized by its large white flower, the Arum Lilly belongs to neither the Arum, nor the Lillia genus. It belongs to the family Araceae and the genus zantedeschia. The genus is restricted to the African continent where 7 different species are recognized.
The common white Arum is widespread throughout South Africa, in marshy areas. The plant is able to change its lifecycle depending on habitat. In the Western Cape, it is generally dormant in winter.
Flowering in early August and throughout the early summer, it adds much beauty to the marshy areas of Table mountain.

The rare Arum frog makes its home in the Arum lilly flower. Although widespread throughout the South and Southwestern Cape, the frog is endangered through the loss of habitat. The main loss occurs through urbanization, although the uncontrolled picking of the Arum lilly must also effect their distribution.

The photos below were taken on the Constantia Greenbelt. On the lower slopes of Table Mountain.

One of the most aptly named conebushes, is the Golden Sunshine Bush.

When in flower, the mountain is covered by a yellow wave.

Conebushes are of the Protea family, and found throughout the Table Mountain chain.

Below is a picture taken on Table Mountain, in mid August. Little other colour is present on the mountain at this time, so the sunshine bush, really adds some beauty to the mountain.

One of the best sights on Table Mountain, in July and August, is the Keurtjie or Water Blossom Pea in flower. This small tree or well branched shrub, develops the most beautiful pink or mauve pea flowers at this time. They also fill the area with a lovely fragrence.
It is abundant in Kirstenbosch and on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Particularly in the river gorges.

This picture was taken, close to the Overseers cottage above Constantia Nek.