Autumn in Fynbos: The Secret Season of Bloom

Conservation news: Tritoniopsis pulchra, Gladiolus meridionalis and Pauridia curculigoides are three autumn-flowering fynbos bulbs found in the fynbos landscapes of the Walker Bay region. Often we think of spring as the prime-time for flowers but in fynbos, many flowering bulbs conserve their energy during the hot, dry summer months to then burst into flower with the onset of autumn rains when cooler temperatures and improved growing conditions make flowering more favourable. Producing flowers requires a great deal of energy so timing is important. Fynbos geophytes often have short and highly specific flowering periods. This strategy may also improve pollination success by reducing the competition between plants with similar pollinators. Did you spot the insect on the Tritoniopsis pulchra? This is a Hairy Sugar ant who is most likely collecting nectar from the flower. Ants are not considered to be very effective pollinators since they have limited mobility which makes it unlikely that they would carry pollen between flowers!

The conservation team conducted a rapid bioblitz survey at Mount Grace Farm on Monday in collaboration with the Fynbos Trust and Chris Whitehouse from Phillipskop Nature Reserve. The landowners, who have recently moved onto the property, are enthusiastic about understanding the biodiversity present on the farm and are committed to managing it responsibly. This farm is within an identified 'corridor' for conservation which is significant in that it connects areas and landowners with common interests and a desire to understand and protect unspoilt nature.

Our parting shot this week is from the conservation team...this iridescent blowfly is like a jewel in peacock colours as it goes about its business. On behalf of the whole foundation, we wish you a wonderful weekend.