Category: Steenbok Nature Reserve News

  • August rainfall

    Posted on by Di StrombergConstancy is not a word that belongs in weather reporting. After the splendid rainfall of 96 mm in July, we have retreated to the sparse amount of only 26 mm in August. The cumulative rainfall for January to August 2019... Read more »

  • African Sacred Ibis – Roberts No: 91

    Posted on by Di StrombergThe shallow waters along side the Tow Path and in the Salt Marsh favorite feeding areas for these hungry birds.  They are described as a conspicuous fairly large white bird with black head and neck, and large decurved bill. Gregarious.... Read more »

  • Colours in the Indigenous Gardens

    Posted on by Di StrombergAs you enter the Indigenous Gardens, you are currently being welcomed by many brightly coloured plants, here are 4 to look out for: 1- Geranium incanum Common names: Carpet geranium (Eng.); berate, vroubossie (Afr.) Picture left – This is an... Read more »

  • Albuca cooperi

    Posted on by Di StrombergCommon names: soldier in the box (Eng.); geldbeursie (Afr.) (little money purse); blougif (Afr.) (blue poison). This bulbous perennial which grows 35 – 60 cm high, bears two, three or sometimes four narrow, channelled leaves. The leaf margins are rolled... Read more »

  • Crematogaster peringueiy

    Posted on by Di StrombergCommonly known as the black cocktail ant or swartwipgatmier (Afrikaans) These ants are always immediately recognizable for their ability to ‘cock their tails’, ie raise their gasters almost over their heads when alarmed.  The gaster contains the ant’s heart, digestive system, and chemical weaponry.... Read more »

  • Salvia aurea (previously S. africana-lutea)

    Posted on by Di StrombergThis species was previously known as Salvia africana-lutea, however, according to the rules of botanical nomenclature, hyphenated names should not be used. The first part of the old species name, africana, means ‘of Africa’ which is the plant’s origin and... Read more »

  • Hermannia hyssopifolia

    Posted on by Di StrombergHermannia hyssopifolia brings back very pleasant memories to me.  Ten years ago while I was busy propagating indigenous plants in Sedgefield, a man came in and asked me if these ‘babies‘ were for sale.  He was referring to the plants!  This friendly guy and I chatted for a while, and in that time... Read more »

  • Arctopus echinatus

    Posted on by Di StrombergCommon names: Flat-thorn (Eng.) Sieketroos (Afr.) It is that time of year when people – and dogs – experience the Flat-thorn. Growing profusely in Steenbok it can be irritating for dogs due to their spiny margins and sharp recurved thorns between... Read more »

  • The Shy Vlei Rat

    Posted on by Di StrombergWe have recently had a number of queries about this fascinating little rodent.  In response our team has gone out and taken new pictures of this shy creature, and updated the vlei rat profile on our website.  The pic on... Read more »

  • Scadoxus membranaceus

    Posted on by Di StrombergCommon name;  blood lily Family name;  amaryllidaceae Flower color;  orange Flowering time;  September, October, November. The orange flowers, resembling a brush, are enclosed in  a large, cup-shaped, olive green calyx . When the flowers start to fade, bright, fat, red berries appear... Read more »