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

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

Grootbos Foundation

image left

 

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 committed to conserving the Cape Floral Kingdom and uplifting the communities that reside within it. The foundation protects more than 22,200ha of fynbos landscape and biodiversity on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Walk...

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

Watch the Gansbaai Video
Read More

Recent Posts

Junior Hockey in Action!

Junior Hockey in Action!

From our Junior Hockey Programme, check out this awesome stick work and determination on the field!

Empowering Young Women: Menstrual Health in Sports

Empowering Young Women: Menstrual Health in S...

At Grootbos Foundation, we're proud to run a sports development programme...

Eyam Valashiya: Sprinting to the SA Schools Championships

Eyam Valashiya: Sprinting to the SA Schools C...

Meet Eyam Valashiya, one of our top Guppy paddlers, who raced at the Century City Sprint Race on 1 March 2025 in Cape Town. 

Hospitality Students Take on Their First Online Tests!

Hospitality Students Take on Their First Onli...

Last week, our Hospitality students completed their first online tests through Lobster Ink!

Learning About Fynbos and Conservation!

Learning About Fynbos and Conservation!

Thilivali from the Conservation Research Team shared the importance of the natural fynbos landscape.

A Fascinating Fynbos Find!

A Fascinating Fynbos Find!

Protecting these ecosystems means protecting incredible stories like this.