This is the maintenance gate and old entrance to the nature trail Vegetation
The reserve is dominated by St Francis Dune Thicket vegetation, which is characterised by clumps of thicket occurring within a matrix of Dune Fynbos, where typically buchu (Agathosma stenopetala) and ericas (Erica chloroloma) are present.
The Cape Recife dunefield (which includes the NMMU campus) is one of two dunefields in the Eastern Cape that supports Dune Fynbos. Fynbos typically grows on poor, stony mountain soils and on infertile coastal sands and limestone. It is a sparse to dense shrubland; most shrubs are small-leaved (translated to English the Afrikaans word Fynbos means “fine bush”) and relatively short (> 2m). Fynbos is characterised by the presence of Restios (reeds), Ericas and Proteas (although the latter is not typical of coastal fynbos).
The Thicket clumps are classified as Algoa Dune Thicket and Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) and candlewood (Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus) trees, and waxberry (Morella cordifolia) shrubs are common. Characteristic species also include the dwarf cape beech (Rapanea gilliana) and the rare succulent (Cotyledon adscendens). Look out for the markers along the trail, which identify some of the more common plant species.
At one time, almost 25 % of the reserve was heavily infested with the Australian Acacia cyclops (Rooikrans) and A. saligna (Port Jackson) species. Thanks to the Working for Water Programme, much of the reserve has been cleared of these exotic species. Although the majority of trees have been coppicing, the eradication of these invasive species, however, requires ongoing follow-up programmes to ensure that all emerging seedlings are removed.
Some of the species in your immediate vicinity are:
Wild Camphor Bush (Tarchonanthus camphoratus)
This bushy tree grows up to 5 m high. It can be easily identified by the deeply grained bark and by the slight camphor smell of the crushed leaves. The leaves are green above and grey below. The flowers appear in winter (Mar.-Nov.) are creamy coloured; the seeds are covered by white fluff.
Wild Silver Oak (Brachylaena discolor)
This is another bushy tree reaching about 4 to 5 m in height. The leaves are dark green above and whitish with dense hairs below. Creamy white flowers appear in late winter and look like miniature Scottish thistles. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. The fruit is a nutlet with a brownish covering of hairs. This tree is well adapted to living in dunes because the branches can set down roots as they are covered with sand from moving dunes. In this way the tree can keep pace with sand inundation.
Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops)
This is an exotic invader species!
Rooikrans means "red wreath" and is so called because of the red ring or aril around the seed. This plant can grow up to 7 m tall and forms very dense stands. It was first introduced from Australia to stabilise the dunes on the Cape Flats, and was then introduced here for the same purpose. Because of the lack of natural predators here, it soon became a pest species. It is very difficult to remove from an area. Its seeds germinate quickly after fires, it is resistant to ring barking and it produces a huge seed bank every year.
Port Jackson Willow (Acacia saligna)
This is an exotic invader species!
It was introduced for the same reasons as was Rooikrans, namely to stabilize moving dunes, and has spread widely since. After much testing, a predatory wasp from Australia was introduced. It seems to be making headway in destroying this pest plant. The wasp lays eggs in the twigs and reproductive parts of the tree and causes galls, or knobs. Enough of these galls will prevent the tree from flowering and producing seeds.
Dune Scrub Everlasting (Helichrysum teretifolium)
The Everlasting is a highly branched shrub, up to 50 cm tall. It bears clusters of white flowers with yellow centres. The white "petals" are actually the flower bracts, while the yellow centre comprises many small flowers. The flowers appear in spring and make a pretty feature in many gardens. The plants are called Everlastings because the flowers dry well and retain their shape and colour for many years. Many people believe that this shrub has magical properties and can be used to protect a house from lighting strikes.
Dune Daisy (Felicia echinata)
This is a perennial shrub which grows up to 40 cm high. The leaves are bright green and very prickly, hence the name "echinata", which means spiny. This flower is very common in Dune Fynbos and anywhere where dunes have been stabilised. It is also endemic to the Eastern Cape.
White Bristlebush (Metalasia muricata)
This twiggy bush can grow up to 4 m high, but is usually about 1 to 2 m high on the Trail. The leaves are tiny (10 mm long) and are densely clustered on the stems. This bush carries flowers throughout the year, although they are at their best in the late winter. During summer, the seeds disperse and the flowers lose their brilliance. It is one of the dominant shrubs of the coastal vegetation. The flowers are mainly white, but pink and reddish variations can be found.
Bush-tick Berry; Bitou (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)
Bitou forms a large bush with bright green roundish leaves. The young leaves are covered by fine cobweb-like hairs. This bush has flowers for most of the year, but with the best show in spring. It has a profusion of small juicy purple berries, which make it a favourite of birds.
Steekgras (Stipagrostis zeyheri)
Steekgras grows up to 0.5 m tall. It is easy to recognise because the seed heads are feathery and the dried leaves coil. The grass often has a soft bank of dry curly leaves at the base. When these are collected they can make a soft comfortable bed for camping and also make excellent tinder. The softness of the dry leaves is in strong contrast to the name which means "sticking" or "sharp" grass.
Garlic Buchu (Agathosma apiculata)
Garlic Buchu often betrays its presence on hot days with its heavy, sometimes unpleasant aroma. It is a member of the citrus family and thus has many aromatic oil glands in the leaves. As can be seen, the leaves grow close to one another, and the tip of the stem forms a little ball of leaves. The flowers attract many different insects, from beetles to bees.
Confetti Bush (Coleonema pulchellum)
This attractive little shrub is often cultivated for gardens and several varieties are available. It belongs to the Citrus family and has a very pleasant smell, reminiscent of thyme or sausage spices. It bears numerous small white or pink flowers from August to late October, which makes the bushes appear as if they have been strewn with confetti.
Dodder (Cuscata campestris)
Dodder is a parasite which can cause great damage to other plants. Here it is seen climbing over some Restios. The flowers are small (2-3 mm), green and generally inconspicuous. The fruit appears in spring and is green, thin skinned and juicy. It turns bright red, and is eaten and thus spread by birds.
Little Jujube (Phylica ericoides)
This little shrub is very common on the trail, but like so many fynbos species, it does not seem to have a generally accepted common name. It belongs to the Jujube Tree Family, so we call it the little Jujube or klein drogies when we take children out on the trail. The flowers are small, white and woolly and are similar in shape to the small bell shaped ericas. The fruit become dark red to black when ripe and seem to be enjoyed by birds.
Wild Iris (Moraea polystachya)
Despite its beautiful flower, this little bulb plant is poisonous. It usually occurs farther inland in dry clay soils. Many farmers try to eradicate it as it can kill sheep and goats. It is also found only on one part of the trail and has a short flowering period from August to September.