Category: Steenbok Nature Reserve News

  • Aloiampelos ciliaris var. ciliaris

    Posted on by Diana Stromberg   Family:  Asphodelaceae Common names:  climbing aloe (Eng.); rank-aalwyn (Afr.) It was previously called Aloe ciliaris var. ciliaris  but along with other small shrubby scrambling aloes has been moved to the genus Aloiampelos.  According to Dr G.W. Reynolds, Aloiampelos ciliaris... Read more »

  • Leonotis leonurus

    Posted on by Laetitia BensleyLeonotis leonurus Welcomes visitors to Steenbok Nature Reserve Common names: wild dagga (Eng.); wildedagga, duiwelstabak (Afr); Ecology: Leonotis leonurus is primarily bird pollinated and the flower presentation and pollination mechanisms are all structured to support this type of pollinator.  The flowers... Read more »

  • Flowering in Kingfisher Creek

    Posted on by Laetitia BensleyLimonium linifolium Common Name: Sea lavender Tufted dwarf herb with narrow (1 mm broad) branched leaves (3 to 6 mm in length) from stem on woody base. Flowers 5 mm diameter with 5 petals. Walk along the pathways in Kingfisher... Read more »

  • GARDENING@LEISURE DONATION TO STEENBOK

    Posted on by Laetitia Bensley Steenbok Nature Reserve thanks all the dedicated members of Gardening @ Leisure for their continued support and guidance.   At their April meeting Kathy Michaelides, the Treasurer of Gardening @ Leisure once again presented Roger Voysey with a donation of... Read more »

  • A wasp nest spotted in Steenbok Nature Reserve

    Posted on by Laetitia BensleyWasps’ nests are different from bees’ nests.  Bees produce a waxy substance to create their nest whereas wasps chew scraped wood fibers and create papery nests for themselves. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly. This is why you should stay... Read more »

  • Eriocephalus africanus L.

    Posted on by Diana StrombergFamily: Asteraceae Common names: wild rosemary (Eng.), wilderoosmaryn, kapokbos (Afr.) An easy way to identify wild rosemary is the thin needle-shaped leaves that are arranged in tufts along the branches.  These light grey, green leaves are designed to reflect sunlight... Read more »

  • Knysna Dwarf Chameleon

    Posted on by Laetitia BensleyThis is chameleon season and many Knysna Dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion damaranum) have been spotted in the trees near the main entrance to Steenbok. These little guys are endemic to South Africa and can grow to 180mm, they live happily in... Read more »

  • MAINTENANCE IN STEENBOK

    Posted on by Diana StrombergMaintenance and upgrade of irrigation system One of the features of this exercise was the complete replacement of the drip system watering young trees in the tree copses along the concrete pathway.   To ensure consistent water pressure at each of... Read more »

  • HUNTERS AND SCAVENGERS

    Posted on by Diana StrombergTHE HUNTER This Spotted Eagle Owl can often be seen perched on the branches of the milkwood trees near the tennis courts.  This well camouflaged owl hunts at night it has very acute hearing, enabling it to pinpoint the tiniest... Read more »