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Veld & Flora
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ISSN (Print) 0042-3203
Published by Sabinet Online Ltd

[185 journals]

Quicker, and more profound : prelude
- Authors: Lee Jones
  Abstract: A year has passed since the December 2015 issue of Veld & Flora, which also means that this is the second December issue that I have had the honour of editing. Our wonderful team - the V&F Working Group have received numerous verbal and written accolades and compliments over the changes to style and content. For this we are extremely grateful and want to say "Aw shucks! Without your support, the support of the BotSoc members, the people who write the articles and the submissions, those who are the feet in the Veld and the scribes of the Flora - this journal would not be possible."
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
In the news
- Abstract: Staff and operationsHonours and AwardsThe 2016 BotSoc Branch Convention and National Annual General MeetingYour best shotSupport and awareness - supporting the 34th Cape Town Eskom Expo for young scientistsCelebrating Arbor Week with Gold Fields EE CentreParticipation in the 2016 Cape Town Flower ShowConservation in action - growing the green CPUT conservationists of the futureGiving life to Target 14 of the National Strategy for Plant Conservation (NSPC)Membership notes
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
The politics of biodiversity conservation
- Authors: Gavin W. Maneveldt; Gavin W. Maneveldt Ernst H.W. Baard
  Abstract: Global reports tell us that we are losing species at an unprecedented rate, estimated to be at 100 to 1,000 times greater than that of the 'natural' rate of extinction. It is now widely recognised that we will lose more species of plants and animals between 2000 and 2065 than we've lost in the last 65 million years. It is estimated, for example, that since 1970 we have already lost as much as 50% of all known marine diversity. Furthermore, one out of every three amphibian species, four mammal species, eight bird species, and an astonishing six of the seven currently recognised turtle species are now threatened with extinction. It has reached a point where international conservation specialists are talking about "The Sixth Mass Extinction", the last of which took place 65 million years ago. During that last extinction event, an estimated 16% of marine families, 47% of marine genera, and 18% of land vertebrate families, including the dinosaurs, became extinct.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Polycarena silenoides rediscovered : why so much ado about a 'sticky
little scroph'?
- Authors: Gigi Laidler
  Abstract: Living in the Cape Town area, we are fortunate to have such a spectacular playground of floral diversity in our backyard where we may indulge in botanical delights. However, Homo technologo has rapidly transformed his environment and vast areas of the world now bear absolutely no resemblance to their natural state. Modern humankind's genius and technology have provided the food and shelter that have allowed our numbers to grow but, over the centuries, these human activities have placed a rapidly increasing number of species under imminent threat of extinction and have also led to the loss of many taxa.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Taking care of one of the richest and most threatened habitats on Earth :
the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust
- Authors: Odette Curtis
  Abstract: To the blissfully unaware, the softly-rolling hills covered by croplands and pastures are part of the attraction for which the Overberg is renowned. When the fields of golden-yellow Canola bloom in striking contrast with the bluegreens of barley and wheat, visitors "ooh" and "aah" over the arresting spring landscape. Yet the true life-support system in this landscape appears, at least from afar, as grey, dull, drab and isolated remnants of natural vegetation punctuating the fields of monoculture. This is lowland Renosterveld.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Repeat photography confirms alarming decline in South African cycads
- Authors: Desale Okubamichael; Sam Jack, Timm Hoffman, John Donaldson, De Wet Bosenberg John Donaldson
  Abstract: This is a condensed version of an article that was published online in Biodiversity and Conservation in October 2016. It has been adapted from the abstract of the article, with a few added details, illustrated by an image from the published article and a photo supplied by Karin Van der Walt.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Angiosperms : learning about biodiversity
- Abstract: Almost all land plants reproduce by means of two distinct, alternating life forms: a sexual phase that produces and releases gametes or sex cells and allows fertilisation, and a dispersal phase. The sexual phase is known as the gametophyte or haploid (n) generation and the dispersal phase is the sporophyte or diploid (2n) generation. In angiosperms and all vascular plants, the sporophyte phase is the dominant generation.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
My fynbos garden at the tip of Africa revisited : the next decade
- Authors: Meg Cowper-Lewis
  Abstract: Ten years ago My fynbos garden at the tip of Africa was published in the December 2006 issue of Veld & Flora. Written ten years after moving from Durban to our family home, Southermost, in Cape Agulhas and starting an indigenous garden from scratch, the article won me an award for the best article by an amateur botanist.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Seed bank secrets : securing seed for the future
- Authors: Victoria Wilman
  Abstract: There are five main aspects of the work that we do at the Millennium Seed Bank: species targeting, trip planning, seed collecting, seed processing and seed storage. Our collection strategy begins with priority area targeting, based on threatened ecosystems, National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES) sites, CREW sites, and sites at risk of development. The focus areas are researched thoroughly and a target species list is compiled for each. Specific localities are found where possible, and maps, photographs, herbarium specimens and detailed descriptions make up species dossiers to take into the field. These, and a GPS, are essential for finding our target species.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
New partnership protects Overberg's birds
- Authors: Heather Dalton
  Abstract: The Overberg Crane Group (OCG) has partnered with the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT). The two organisations together will protect threatened big birds that live in the Overberg, and the habitat on which they rely. As part of the collaboration, a new OCG website has been launched and the OCG is also active on Facebook and Twitter.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
BotSoc branches
- Abstract: The BotSoc Branches are formed by members who support the mission and objectives of the BotSoc. Members are automatically affiliated to their nearest branch, and activities are mainly driven by volunteers who organise talks, walks, awareness campaigns, CREW outings and fundraising.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
CREW news
- Abstract: My adventure as a CREW Research Assistant - Sachin DoarsamyA beginner's introduction to an identification course on the Asteraceae - Di Higginson Keath
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Visitor's Guide: Flower Route, Marion Whitehead : book review
- Authors: Caroline Voget
  Abstract: For anyone planning a road trip to see South Africa's famed spring wildflowers, this detailed, inexpensive, A4-sized guide to the Northern and Western Cape flower routes, is a perfect starting point.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Fynbos fairies, Antjie Krog and Fiona Moodie : book review
- Authors: Rob Andre
  Abstract: Fynbos Fairies is a delightful children's poetry book, translated to English by poet Gus Ferguson from the original Afrikaans verse by renowned poet Antjie Krog. This stunning collaboration, by three well known South African literary figures, describes the world of Cape Fynbos, where the plants are inhabited by fairies.
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Classified advertisements
- Abstract: Classified advertisements
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Letters to the editor
- Abstract: Letters to the editor
  PubDate: 2016-12-01T00:00:00Z
Not with a whisper : prelude
- Authors: Lee Jones
  Abstract: It took me many years to come to terms with the naming of plants, animals and other organisms. It was not that I found the concept of 'needing clearly distinct names to identify species' particularly difficult to understand, but the actual naming of things often did not make sense. Sometimes, it still doesn't.
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
In the news
- Abstract: Making a difference to our National Botanical GardensSupporting the Gold Fields Education Centre International Biodiversity Day celebrations on 20 May 2016Outreach to Maitland Cottage Hospital SchoolNBGs as outdoor classroomsNotice of the Annual General Meeting of the Botanical Society of South AfricaAnother breathtaking Chelsea Flower ShowHonours and AwardsThe Cape Town Flower ShowConservation mattersMembership notesBotSoc staff newsMary Gunn Library celebrates its centenary
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Botanical Society of South Africa Annual Report 2015 - 2016
- Abstract: Botanical Society of South Africa Annual Report 2015 - 2016
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
The mystery of the missing Macowania - solved!
- Authors: Ralph Clark; Vathiswa Zikishe, Joanne Bentley, Tony Dold Nigel Barker
  Abstract: Macowania revoluta is endemic to the beautiful Amathole Mountains in the Eastern Cape province. First collected by Peter MacOwan in the eastern Amatholes in 1868, the species was described by Joseph Hooker in Icones Plantarum (published from 1867 to 1871). This mostly southern African genus, with M. revoluta being the 'type', was taxonomically revised in 1927 by Christo Smith. We suggest the common name of Amathole Macowania for this species.
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Gymnosperms : learning about biodiversity
- Abstract: Gymnosperms are cone-bearing, vascular seed plants that do not bear flowers. Their 'naked seeds' develop either on the surface of scales or leaves - often modified to form cones - or at the end of short stalks as in Ginkgo. There are now around 1,000 living species of gymnosperm, although the fossil records show there were many other now-extinct species. Gymnosperms evolved about 365 million years ago and were dominant from 245 to 65 million years ago when the angiosperms took over.
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Georeferencing history : locating where specimens were collected
- Authors: Leslie Ward (Les) Powrie
  Abstract: Let us travel some old dusty twee-spoor (two-track) roads on the trail of two intrepid explorers, Illtyd Buller Pole Evans (1879-1968) and John Phillip Harison Acocks (1911-1979). These great men travelled around our biologically diverse country, observing the flora, fauna, fungi and other natural resources of South Africa and they collected many samples for study and classification. But first, some background ..
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Collaboration for conservation success : Kirstenbosch and Stellenbosch
University Botanical Garden working together
- Authors: Anthony Hitchcock; Martin Smit Monique McQuillan
  Abstract: Originally founded in 1902, the enchanting Stellenbosch University (SU) Botanical Garden has been located at its current site, in the historical centre of Stellenbosch, since 1921. The Garden, the oldest of its kind in this country, has become a popular attraction in recent years, and is becoming progressively more self-sustainable. New initiatives are underway to resuscitate the living plant collections and to use them for display, education, research and conservation.
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Fort Fordyce : the Eastern Cape's hidden gem
- Authors: Kaeleah Andrew; Sarah Brett, Rachel Ibbetson, Phoebe Ingersoll, Rachel Jarvie, Lauren Offord Nigel Barker
  Abstract: As part of plant taxonomy training, second-year Botany students at Rhodes University are sent on a weekend field trip to learn plant collection and identification. In 2015, the second-years visited Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve (NR) near the towns of Fort Beaufort and Adelaide in the Eastern Cape.
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z
Speculation about a bizarre tree trunk
- Authors: Charles Botha; Julia Botha
  Abstract: Close to a dirt road in the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, near the town of Mtunzini on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, there is a strange tree stump that appears to be rooted on both sides. This curious spectacle seems to be part of a mature, adjoining Splendid Thorn Tree, (Vachellia robusta; previously known as Acacia robusta).
  PubDate: 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z