Cross-Marked Grass Snake and Paterson's Curse at Grootbos

Cross-Marked Grass Snake and Paterson's Curse at Grootbos

Grootbos Foundation

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Cross-Marked Grass Snake and Paterson's Curse at Grootbos

Look closely… Can you see the tiny cross-marked grass snake (also known as a whip snake or sweep slangetjie) nestled among the flowers? This little snake may be mildly venomous, but it’s not dangerous to humans and plays an important role in our ecosystem.

The vibrant purple flower it’s drawn to, however, is another story. Known as Paterson’s curse, this plant may look beautiful, but it’s a highly invasive species that poses a real threat to native vegetation.

Cross-Marked Grass Snake and Paterson's Curse at Grootbos

Grootbos Foundation

Grootbos Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation in Gansbaai dedicated to conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom while uplifting the communities that call it home. The foundation protects over 22,200 hectares of fynbos and biodiversity across Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Walker Bay...

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