Scadoxus puniceus plants Windvogel 27Sep 2004, Image by
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Scadoxus puniceus plants Windvogel 27Sep 2004, Image by
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The habitat and flora in the East Cape Region of South
Africa is amongst the most diverse and varied on the globe. As Cameron
writes below, the biodiversity is extraordinary! This page has links
containing images from the
Wild
Bulbs of the Eastern Cape disk Images on this page come is 2 sizes,
medium and large. Images ending in sm.JPG are the smaller file
version of the image. For those with faster web surfing, you can see the
images in large easily. I hope you enjoy this small glimpse into the
wilds of South Africa. It is my goal to visit this beautiful and
wonderful bulbous repository in the next few years. I know I have fallen
in love with this country and would very much like to romance my way across
this amazing habitat!
Excerpt from Wild bulbs of the Eastern Cape. Amaryllidaceae
of the Eastern Cape Province
South Africa is world renowned for its indigenous flora, and particularly the flora of the Western Cape Fynbos biome in the winter rainfall region. Geophytes form an important part of this flora and Cape bulbs are known throughout the world for their diversity and beauty. Most tourists and travellers interested in our indigenous flora visit Cape Town and the surrounding regions, particularly during the spectacular spring flower season up the West Coast and in Namaqualand. Very few visitors extend their journey to the lesser known regions of the Eastern Cape to the east of Port Elizabeth – a region of primarily summer rainfall that in terms of bio-diversity, numbers and variety of wild flowers, including bulbs, almost rivals the Western Cape. Climate and
topography of the Eastern Cape The province contains a vast variety of
landscapes, from the stark Karoo (the semi-desert region of the central
interior) to mountain ranges and gentle hills rolling down to the sea.
The climate and topography give rise to the great diversity of
vegetation types and habitats in the region. Except along the coast and
along the southern slopes of the mountain ranges that form a series of
escarpments, the annual rainfall seldom exceeds 500mm and occurs mostly in
summer. Rainfall in summer
comes in the form of both thunder showers and prolonged drizzle and mist
as weather fronts move through the region from west to east. Particularly
along the coast and on the southern mountain slopes, mist precipitation is
significant. Some winter rain does fall occasionally and...............
Scadoxus puniceus plants on cliff Cathcart,
RSA, 28th Dec 2004, Image by
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A
disk of images and cultivation information called
Wild Bulbs
of the Eastern Cape disk
is available
from Cameron McMaster. This disk is a highly informative and extremely pictorial
collection, captured by Cameron whilst collecting seeds out in the field.
Cameron McMaster is one of South Africa's most noted naturalists, whose
enthusiasm shines through on this information available. His love of the plants
and the surrounding environment resounds through this disk. I consider myself
very lucky to have a friendship with such a dedicated and personable gentleman.
Order
Wild Bulbs of the Eastern Cape disk
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