Spring in South Africa officially begins on the first of September.  At this time of year the spring flowers in the Namaqualand are legendary following the rainfall of the winter months. The dry landscape is transformed in a carpet of colour by a magnificent aray of flowers.

In Cape Town Spring can extend right through October with the weather being a little unpredicatable. Many visitors to the mountain at this time of year mention the beauty of the flowers. Indeed there are a number of beautiful flowers to be found. Table Mountain though is fortunate that Spring time is not an usual time, in that through out the year there is always something blooming on the mountain.

Here are a few of the flowers to look for in the Spring on Table Mountain.

The Cape Everlasting is is seen on much of the mountain. It is remarkable for its dry almost papery leaves

The Tickberry bears a purple fruit that resembles a bloated tick - hence the name

The painted lady is especially noticable in places that have been damaged by fire

 

The handsome Arum Lilly is common on Table Mountain.

 

These large shrublike plants are members of the Protea family

 

Join Ridgway Ramblers on a hike of Table Mountain at any time of year and discover the amazing and beatiful Fynbos plant kingdom found there.

No matter where you hike on Table Mountain you will probably see a lichen of one form or another. In fact one of the questions I am most frequently asked refurs to the yellow or red blotches on many of rocks.

A typical lichen on a rock found on Table Mountain

A lichen is an example of a mutualistic relationship between 2 organisms. Thus a lichen consists of both a fungus and an algae in a relationship in which they both benefit. The fungus provides water and  and inorganic nutrients whilst the algae produces carbohydrates and other metabolic products for growth. The fungus is the dominant partner and forms the main visible part of the organism.

Although lichens are tolerant of an extremely wide range of environmental conditions they are extremely sensitive to air pollution. Thus their presence of Table Mountain is an extremely positive sign.

Their are many different varieties of Lichen, many of which can be found in abundance on Table Mountain.

1. Crustose lichens, such as the picture above have the appearance of being painted onto the rock.

2. Fructiose lichens are bushlike and often hang from trees or rocks. An example of this is “old mans beard” often seen hanging from trees especially on the Kirstenbosch side of the mountain.

Old mans beard on trees in Skeleton Gorge

3. Foliose lichens have leaf like extensions

Another Table Mountain lichen

 spring

July is still officially the middle of the Cape winter. However anyone who hikes up Platteklip Gorge at the moment will definitely feel that spring is in the air.

The first section of the hike which follows the Platteklip River is lined by the most beautiful Water Blossom pea bushes in full flower.

The bright water sweet pea lines the lower parts of Platteklip Gorge

 The water blossom pea’s Latin name is Podalyria calyptrata. It is also known by an abundance of common names. The Keurtjie, water Keurtjie and  the sweetpea bush. The word “Keur” is Dutch for “choice” or “pick of” and refers to the beautiful flowers that really do stand out on Table Mountain.

The beautifully colourful flowers are accompanied by soft velvety leaves which are equally attractive.

The sweetpea bush flowers

The sweet smelling Keurtjie attracts a number of insects so you walk is accompanied by the drone of bees and the flutter of butterflies. All of which add to that feeling that spring is in the air.

So if you are feeling energetic take a hike up Platteklip Gorge and get the feeling that winter is almost over.

winter walk on Table Mountain

Explore the diversity of the Fynbos plant kingdom on a guided Table Mountain Hike

One of the special things about Table Mountain is that no matter what time of year you walk you will see an abundance of wild flowers. Not surprising really considering that the Fynbos floral kingdom is the most diverse in the world.

Here are just some of the wild flowers I have seen this June on Table Mountain.

The Waboom Protea is one of the larger shrubs found all over Table Mountain. The name means “wagon tree” as the wood was used as brakes on he Voortrekkers wagons. These Proteas flower between May and September.

The Narrow leaved Sorrel (Oxalis family) is found mainly on the North and Western slopes of the mountain. It is quite small but very visible due to its bright colour.

The Lesser Cobra Lilly (Iris family) always catches the eye. It is found mainly in damp places. I have seen this plant all over Table Mountain but this picture was taken on the jeep track above Constantia Nek.

The Coathanger Heath (Erica family) is widespread over the whole mountain. It actually may flower all year around but mainly flowers between March and September. It is found all over the mountain mainly on rocky or drier ground.

The Common Tickberry (Daisy family) is one of the most noticable wild flowers at this time of year. Mainly because it is a large shrub that seems to spread itself as far as possible. I have seen it all over the lower slopes of Table Mountain throughout June.

These few examples do not even begin to show all the plants that are flowering on Table Mountain at the moment. Next time you are on a walking on the mountain stop for a moment and look at the veld around you. In a very small area there will be an amazing variety of species, some so tiny that if you don’t stop and look for them you’ll miss them.

Mountain

Table Mountain is more well known for beautiful views than for forest hikes. However on the Kirstenbosch side of the mountain there are some beautiful patches of Afromotane forest particularly concentrated in the river gorges. These then are the trees that line Skeleton and Nursery gorges as well as Orange Kloof.

Whilst there are several types of tree in the forest 2 that I find the most impressive are the Rooiels and the Keurboom.

The Rooiels or blossom tree (Virgilia divaricata) is a beautifully scented tree with pea shaped pink flowers. Whilst in blossom walking under a tree is a wonderful experience.

A Keurboom tree in full blossom

The Rooiels or butterspoon tree (Cunonia capensis) is easily recognisable by the stipule at the tip of its stems which is shaped like a butterspoon.

The butterspoon of a rooiels tree

The flower of the rooiels is also easily recognisable as it is shaped like an erect bottle brush.

The erect rooiels flower

 Both these trees are found throughout the forests and river gorges on Table Mountain in all shapes and sizes.

Table Mountain walk.

 With over 2000 different plant species packed into the Cape Peninsula, (which is more species than are found in the whole of the British isles) the area is a choice destination for plant lovers from all over the world. The peninsula is part of the smallest plant kingdom in the world. The Fynbos plant kingdom.

The Ericas are the largest genus in this kingdom with over 600 different species being found in the area. They have distinct needle like leaves which are found in whorls around the stem usually in threes or fours. The petals are joined together to form a corolla tube which may be long and narrow or open and cup shaped.

Erica Versicolor. The long corolla is typical of the Erica genus

Ericas are perrrenial shrubs with the size of the flower varying from very long tubular flowers of up to 45mm long down to minute flowers with flowers less than 0.7mm long. Much of the size, shape and colour of the flower is linked to pollination. Long tubed species often being pollinated by sunbirds whilst smaller cup shaped species are pollinated by a variety of insects.

When next walking on Table Mountain take the time to look at the variety of plants on either side of the path. In a tiny area you will find an amazing variety of plants including in most places several different Ericas.

Erica baccans

Table Mountain hairy heath.

Take a guided hike on Table Mountain with Ridgway Ramblers to find King Proteas and Disa’s in flower

One of the most fantastic things about Table Mountain is that throughout the year there will always be something flowering. To choose a favourite time of year would be difficult, however  February and March are pretty special with a variety of Disa’s and the King Protea flowering at this time.

Disa is a large African orchid genus. There are 144 species found in Southern Africa with many being found on Table Mountain. They come in a variety of colours and size with many being restricted to very small areas or small and rarely seen. The best known of the Disa’s is the Disa Uniflora. This large and stunning flower is the representative flower of the Western Cape. It flowers in abundance alongside many of the rivers and damp areas on Table Mountain. The Aquaduct, Myburghs Waterfall Ravine and Window Gorge being some of the favourite places for viewing.

The beautiful Red Disa

Whilst the beautiful Red Disa is large and often found in large groups. There are others in flower during February and March which are often missed. The dainty Blue Disa is found alongside many of the paths of the mountain but often ignored as it is found singly and relatively small.

The small and dainty Blue Disa

The Cluster Disa is another beautiful patch of colour found all over the mountain during these months.

The colourful Cluster Disa

Whilst these examples by no means exhaust the variety of Disa plants that can be found on the mountain. They are among the most common during the late summer which is also the time when the King Protea flowers in this area. The King Protea is one of the largest and most outstanding of the Protea family. For this reason it is the national flower of South Africa. Recognisable by its large flowerhead and distinctly stalked leaves. Whislt King Proteas can be found throughout the Table Mountain National Park, they can be found in great abundance in Nursery Ravine.

A beautiful Protea found in Nursery Ravine

I am not sure which plants might be poisonous if you were to eat them!, but apart from the odd prickly bush, the only indigenous plant to really be aware of on Table Mountain is the blister bush ( Peucedanum galbanum) or mountain celery. This interesting plant I have recently discovered could just be racist… amazingly it apparently only effects white people! Some friends of mine from Hout Bay regularly pick the plant and use it in tea to treat bladder infections and were extremely surprised to hear me warning people away from it.

The blister bush of Table Mountain

One of the confusing aspects of this plant is that it only causes a blister in very specific conditions. These being that the leaf must be damaged and the sunlight must be bright. If you accidentally brush against the plant and then cover the skin to exclude light it does not affect the skin.

The blister bush flower

If you do happen to touch a damaged leaf and leave the skin in the sunlight, the area will become itchy for about 24 hours, after which time a water blister will appear. This remains for a day or 2 before disappearing. The skin remains scarred for some time but after a few months clears up completely.

So whilst a major panic on sighting a blister bush is not necessary, it is worth keeping an eye out for it on a sunny day!

Many people whilst walking on Table Mountain find themselves brushing against a low green shrub that they soon discover is covered in vicious prickles.

A prickly climbers friend bush on Kasteelspoort

 It doesn’t do any real damage but is definitely noteworthy to go a bit more carefully past the next bush you see.

A closer look at the prickles found on the climbers friend bush

The scientific name for this plant is Cliffortia Ruscifolia. Its more common name though is “climbers friend”  It is found all over Table Mountain both lining the paths in good deep soil and on many inhospitable ledges seemingly growing out of the rock itself. On first hearing its name it is easy to assume that it is some form of sarcastic joke.  I can imagine a climber clambering onto a tiny ledge but on grasping a prickle being forced to lose his grip and tumbling off. But in fact, this plant truly is a climbers friend and is used by all sorts of hikers, climbers and scramblers all over the mountain.

Climbers Friend is found all over Table Mountain

This is due to its strong roots that are very firmly embedded in the soil or rock. I often use a handy branch or truck of a climbers friend to haul myself up and over some obstacle. You do have to avoid the prickles but this is usually fairly easily done.

when walking on Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a floral wonder. In a relatively small area almost 1500 plant species have been recorded. There are more species of plant on this small mountain than in the whole of the British isles!! So it is worth keeping your eyes open on a hike and just looking at the plants around your feet. What adds extra fascination is the difference between both the species of plant and the time of flowering in different areas of the mountain.

Last week I hiked along the 12 Apostels from Llandudno to Kasteelspoort,where we descended. Here are just some of the plants we spotted along the way.

The delicate China Flower is common all over the mountain

Although not rare, finding a beautiful Painted Lady is always a treat

The beautiful and elegant Arum Lilly is found close to water

The Comb flower. The Iris family.

The False Slugwort is easy to recognise and commonly found beside paths

The succulant sour fig

The tall Watsonia's are always bright and impressive

6 months before flowering, the King Protea bud is still impressive

  So when next hiking on Table Mountain take the time to look around you and see the splendour and beauty.