Vasey grass Paspalum urvillei is a highly invasive grass
which is a native of Argentina and Uruguay which is mostly found growing in
damp and disturbed localities in our area.
A monospecific stand of Paspalum urvillei
Paspalum urvillei is a large dominant grass which produces
vast amounts of viable seed that displaces other grasses to form large
monospecific stands largely by means of allelopathy and direct competition for
resources such as sunlight, water and nutrients.
This photo gives one an idea of the average size of Paspalum urvillei
Allelopathy refers to
the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another plant, due to the
release of biochemicals, known as allelochemicals, from plant parts by
leaching, root exudation, volatilization, residue decomposition, and other
processes.
This photo give a clearly shows that Paspalum urvillei
completely displaces all other species
What alarms me most about this invasive alien grass and why
I see it as a huge threat in areas that are being rehabilitated is that it spreads very rapidly and colonizing vast areas
and that there are no selective herbicides available that can be used to
selectively eradicate it as in the case of broad leafed and other non-grassy
weeds. The only options to remove this invasive grass are to dig it out or the
use of non-selective herbicides such as Glyphosate which would destroy all
other vegetation in the areas being dealt with therefore the sooner stands of
this invasive grass are located and are eradicated the better before their seed
bank increases and spreads.
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
16.03.16
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Dung beetles play a very important role in the health ant
the fertility of natural grassland
Ancient Egyptians thought very highly of the dung beetle,
believing that the dung beetle kept the Earth revolving like a giant ball of
dung, linking the insect to Khepri, the Egyptian god of the rising sun.
Dung beetles belong to the family Scarabaeoidea; with most
of the species being placed in the subfamilies Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae
(scarab beetles). Most species of Scarabaeinae feed exclusively on feces and
are known as true dung beetles. There are dung-feeding beetles which belong to other
families, such as the Geotrupidae (the earth-boring dung beetle). The subfamily
Scarabaeinae alone has more than 5,000 species.
The dung beetles known as rollers, roll dung into round
balls, which are used as a food source for their larvae to develop on are
rolled and buried in brooding chambers that are dug into the ground. Others,
known as tunnelers, bury the dung wherever they find it. A third group, the
dwellers, neither roll nor burrow, they simply live in manure.
Spider Dung Beetle Sisyphus specie with dung ball
Dung beetles live in many habitats, including desert,
farmland, forest, and grasslands. They do not prefer extremely cold or dry
weather. They are found on all continents except Antarctica. They eat the dung
of herbivores and omnivores, and prefer that produced by the former. Many of them
also feed on mushrooms and decaying leaves and fruits. Those that eat dung do
not need to eat or drink anything else, because the dung provides all the
necessary nutrients. Most dung beetles search for dung using their sensitive
sense of smell. Some smaller species simply attach themselves to the
dung-providers to wait for the dung. After capturing the dung, a dung beetle
rolls it, following a straight line despite all obstacles. Sometimes, dung
beetles try to steal the dung ball from another beetle, so the dung beetles
have to move rapidly away from a dung pile once they have rolled their ball to
prevent it from being stolen. Dung beetles can roll up to 10 times their
weight.
Male Onthophagus taurus beetles can pull 1,141 times their
own body weight: the equivalent of an average person pulling six double-decker
buses full of people. No wonder the dung beetle is known as one of the
strongest animals for its size.
Spider Dung Beetle Sisyphus specie showing very long hind legs
In 2003, researchers found one species of dung beetle the
African Scarabaeus zambesianus navigates by using polarization patterns in
moonlight. The discovery is the first proof any animal can use polarized
moonlight for orientation. In 2013, a study was published revealing that dung
beetles can navigate when only the Milky Way or clusters of bright stars are
visible the only insect known to orient itself by the galaxy.
The "rollers" roll and bury a dung ball either for
food storage or for making a brooding ball. In the latter case, two beetles,
one male and one female, stay around the dung ball during the rolling process.
Usually it is the male that rolls the ball, while the female hitch-hikes or
simply follows behind. In some cases, the male and the female roll together.
When a spot with soft soil is found, they stop and bury the ball, then mate
underground. After the mating, both or one of them prepares the brooding ball.
When the ball is finished, the female lays eggs inside it. Some species do not
leave after this stage, but remain to safeguard their offspring. The larvae
live in brood balls made with dung prepared by their parents. During the larval
stage, the beetle feeds on the dung surrounding it. The dung beetle goes
through a complete metamorphosis.
Dung beetles play a highly important role in the environment
by taking animal dung that could spread various diseases amongst grazing
animals and burry it in the root zone where it can be useful to the veld
grasses, herbs, bacteria and fungi not leaving out the fertility and general health
and structure of the soil. By burying and consuming dung, dung beetles improve
nutrient recycling and soil structure simultaneously protecting domestic livestock,
such as cattle goats and sheep as well as indigenous game from disease by
removing the dung which, if left, could provide habitat for pests and diseases.
Most dung beetles specialize on the dung of particular
animals, or types of animals, and will not touch the dung of other species.
Spider Dung Beetle Sisyphus specie sitting on top of dung ball
Sisyphus species - spider dung beetles
Small to medium beetles 3-12 mm black dark grey or brown
hind legs very long move very energetically
Adults congregate to feed on fresh dung in particular the
dung of small animals. They also feed on the dung of tortoises, birds, toads
and large carnivores. The Sisyphus species form dung balls which they roll away
to be buried approximately 50 mm below the surface. A single egg is laid in
each ball. Sisyphus species are particularly active on hot humid days following
rain. Like magic dung that has been dropped on the ground disappears due to the
efforts of these highly energetic little creatures. In my case they are particularly
attracted to the dung of my sheep in preference to goat dung.
Video
Spider Dung Beetles Sisyphus specie rolling a dung ball
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
25.01.16
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Justicia flava is an erect or trailing, usually perennial
herb growing up to 120cm tall which belongs to the family, Acanthaceae. The
stem often becomes woody at the base
Justicia flava is a common species found in a number of
different habitats especially in disturbed habitats, growing on a wide range of
soil types, in full sun or semi-shady areas at elevations from sea-level to
2,300 metres, some
forms of the plant can tolerate moderate frost. It has a widespread
distribution from West Africa through Central extending into Southern Africa, also
occurs on the Arabian Peninsula. Justicia flava is extremely drought resistant,
in very dry regions the plant can grow as an annual with smaller flowers.
Justicia flava is pollinated by insects in particular honey
bees it also attracts various species of butterflies in particular small blues
of the family Lycaenidae.
Cultural uses
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food
and medicine. In some areas Justicia flava is not removed when found growing as
a weed in cultivated fields, but is allowed to grow on in order to harvest its
leaves for use as a vegetable which is cooked as a spinach of used in soups and
stews. In some regions the leaves are burnt to ash to produce a vegetable salt.
Although it is reported that Justicia flava makes good forage for domestic
animals I have observed that it is not eaten by my sheep and goats.
Justicia is used traditionally to treat coughs in South
Africa. The roots are traditionally rolled into beads which remain fragrant for
years.
Growing Justicia flava
Justicia flava is best grown from seed although it grows
easily from cuttings
The seed capsules of Justicia flava burst open when ripe, to
prevent the seeds from being lost, they must be collected as soon as the seed
capsules turn brown. The seeds can be planted into trays or pots but by far the
easiest is to plant the seed which germinates readily directly in situ.
Justicia flava grows best in a sunny position, but also
tolerates partial shade.
Environmental value and use in the garden
Bees visiting Justicia flava
Justicia flava makes a wonderful ornamental groundcover for
use in sunny spots where it can be used as a ground cover to protect and bind the
soil for instance in coastal dunes and sandy river banks. It is a very valuable
source of both nectar and pollen for honey bees in particular because it
flowers year round under
favourable conditions. In my own garden Justicia flava attracts very
large numbers of insects year round at times of the year being the main source
of food for them.
Warning
Justicia flava reproduces readily from seed which is most
useful if it is being used for the stabilization of sandy soil but it can
become a “weed” in the more formal garden. In my own garden I periodically
remove the old plants to keep them under control.
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
19.01.16
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Introducing a magnificent grassland herb from South East Africa that is practically unknown to the nursery and horticultural industry that deserves a place in every garden with a suitable climate.
Berkheya insignis is a perennial grassland herb found
growing mostly on rocky slopes which grows to 400-600 mm in height belonging to
the family Asteraceae, the Sunflower family.
The flowers which are a bright yellow are large 80 mm and up
to over 100mm in cultivation
Berkheya insignis flower
Berkheya insignis is hardy, drought resistant and easy to
grow, growing well in heavy clay soils provided they are well drained.
Berkheya insignis can be propagated from division, cuttings
and seed
Berkheya insignis flower with beetle
Berkheya insignis attracts insects especially small colourful
beetles
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
16.01.16
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Unit fairly recently this magnificent very well known shrub
was known as Tecomaria capensis
Tecoma capensis this is the colour of the specimens that grow locally in Durban this one having been grown from seed obtained at Burman Bush
Tecoma capensis belongs to the family, Bignoniaceae as do
many other very showy shrubs and trees such the well known , Port St Johns creeper Podranea ricasoliana which is well known and grown in other countries yet is seldom seen or grown here in South Africa. Although a had a very large specimen growing over the roof of my granny flat at my previous house in Durban I have not yet obtained one for my property here in Mount Moreland. The photo below was taken by me in Auckland New Zealand.
The sausage tree Kigelia africana
, Rhigozum obovatum, Rhigozum zambesiacum, as well as the foreign Jacaranda are other showy well known members of the family, Bignoniaceae.
Tecoma capensis occurs naturally in thicket and is widely
distributed throughout the Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland,
KwaZulu-Natal, Cape coast, Swaziland and southern Mozambique.
In Mount Moreland we have natural populations growing at the
south end of the King Shaka Airport and on the cliffs down by the Umdloti River.
Tecoma capensis is well known and cultivated here in South
Africa it is also well known and is cultivated in many other areas around the world
in particular California in the USA where many colour forms have been
developed. While living in Auckland, New
Zealand I found that Tecoma capensis is a very popular hedging plant in most of
the older residential areas of the city.
As a child my parents had a Tecoma capensis hedge and I loved
to pick the flowers early in the morning before the birds and honey bees got to
them to sip the nectar from them.
Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and often it flowers all year round. Flowers are tubular and bird pollinated, attracting nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds as well as honey bees.
Tecoma capensis is an ornamental garden plant commonly used for screening and decorative purposes. It can also be trimmed to form a hedge. It is often planted specifically to attract birds.
I have seen this very dark flowering form growing naturally next to the parks board landing strip at St Lucia
Propagating Tecoma capensis
Tecoma capensis is easy to propagate from hard wood cuttings
that in sandy soils can simply be pushed into the ground and watered. They can
also be grown from tip cuttings in a mist propagation unit, by removing rooted
suckers during the active growth phase, and from seed.
Growing Tecoma capensis
Cape honeysuckle is an easy to grown and fast growing, scrambling shrub which is evergreen but will loose its leaves if it gets too dry or if the temperatures fall below freezing. Tecoma capensis produces masses of orange to deep red flowers, there is also a yellow variety which unfortunately does not attract birds to the flowers.
Tecoma capensis will grow in just about any soil. When being planted it will grow best if a good sized hole is dug and is backfilled with a mixture of one third compost mixed with the soil that came out of the hole and a little balanced fertilizer. Please do not forget to water the plants as soon after they have been planted as possible to settle them in, thereafter they will need sufficient water to keep them moist until established. Once well established Tecoma capensis does not need watering as they are extremely drought resistant. In areas that receive frost young plants and larger established plants that have newly been planted out need to protected for at least the first winter.
To keep this shrub clean and tidy and to ensure heavy
flowering, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and
flowers. Mulching with plenty organic
compost and the application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance
the growth and flowering.
Tecoma capensis is a must for every garden that has been designed
to attract wildlife in particular the garden that has been designed to attract
sunbirds because it provides vast amounts of nectar at the times of year when
there are far less or no other suitable flowering plants for them to feed on.
Ecological value
Nature conservation starts AT YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR so anyone who is serious about nature conservation and improving the natural environment for as large a variety of creatures as possible simply has to plant a number of these highly productive plants in their own garden.
If you do not have Tecoma capensis growing in your garden and are a doer and not just a talker you will plan today to buy and plant some of these magnificent local South African plants in your garden.
Mature plants can be bought from any nursery that has a good variety of plants for sale.
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
10.08.15
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Most South Africans are totally unaware that there are over
1 000 known species of bees in Southern Africa
Carpenter bee Xylocopa caffra
I have had an interest in honey bees since a was a young
child and have kept hives since I was a teenager. Although I was aware that
there were other bee species from an early age I knew little about them until many years later.
My interest in wild bees was awaked in 1988 while visiting the Garten der
Schmetterlinge Friedrichsruh http://www.garten-der-schmetterlinge.de/schmettmain.html
, Butterfly Garden Friedrichsruh the ancestral home of Otto von Bismarck the
first Imperial Chancellor (Reichskanzler) of the German Empire which is
situated a few kilometers east of Hamburg.
Giant carpenter bee xylocopa flavorufa
A year or two later I was given the booklet
Wildbienen –Schutz in Dorf und Stadt Wild
bees - Protection in Town and Citywhich greatly increased my interest in
wild bees prompting me to implement many of the suggestions in the booklet in
my own garden in Durban and to closely observe our own local wild bees at every
opportunity, an interest that has remained to this very day.
Wild bees - Protection in Town and City
Bees
Bees which are related to wasps and ants belong to the
Hymenoptera order of insects, characterised by their restricted waists.
Bees are the most important group of pollinators, almost all
bees are pollinators, but only a few species make honey.
Pollination is often an intricate interaction between the
plant and the pollinator both pollinator and plant biodiversity together
maintain healthy ecosystems.
Wild bees
South Africa has many unique wild bee species belonging to the
following families;
Colletidae - Membrane bees are often referred to collectively as plasterer bees or polyester bees, due to the method of smoothing the walls of their nest cells with secretions applied with their mouthparts; these secretions dry into a cellophane-like lining.
Halictidae - They are commonly referred to as "sweat bees"
(especially the smaller species), as they are often attracted to perspiration, which
are usually dark-colored and often metallic in appearance
Melittidae - They are typically small to moderate-sized bees, several species specialize on floral oils as larval food rather than pollen,
Megachilidae - are most commonly known as mason bees and leafcutter bees, reflecting the
materials from which they build their nest cells. Megachilid bees are among the world's most
efficient pollinators because of their energetic swimming-like motion in the
reproductive structures of flowers, which moves pollen, as needed for
pollination.
Anthophoridae - Carpenter
bees which as their name indicates nest in tunnels bored into wood they are
solitary bees.
Apidae- Honey bees represented by Apis mellifera and Mopane
bees Meliponula species
African Honey Bee Apis mellifera scutellata
Wild bees are more efficient pollinators that honey bees
A recent global study investigated the role and contribution of wild pollinators and managed honeybees as a pollination service to a range of annual and perennial fruit, seed, nut, and stimulant crops across 41 sites worldwide. This study indicated that crop fields with high numbers of both honeybees and wild pollinators resulted in sufficient pollen deposition. In contrast, it was shown that wild insect visitation alone significantly increased fruit set, by twice as much as honeybees did, suggesting wild pollinators provide more effective crop pollination. Moreover, fruit set was shown to increase consistently with visitation from wild pollinators and increased with visitation by a diverse assemblage of pollinators independent of honeybee visitation. The additive interaction between non-Apis pollinators and honeybees has been shown to increase fruit set. Recommendations for optimal pollination therefore sometimes call for the integration of wild pollinators with managed honeybees. http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Melin_Review%20Article.pdf
Honey Bees
Twenty-eight subspecies of Honey Bees Apis mellifera (the
Western honeybee) occur across Asia, Europe and Africa, but only two are found
in South Africa, the African honey bee Apis mellifera scutellata and the Cape
honey bee Apis mellifera capensis. The oldest known honeybee specimen dates
from 100 million years ago. South Africa also has a unique problem in that the
Cape honeybee (Apis mellifera capensis) can become a social parasite if
introduced in the other subspecies’ (Apis mellifera scutellata) range. To
remedy this, a dividing line has been drawn to separate the area in which Apis
mellifera scutellata and Apis mellifera capensis can be used for beekeeping
activities and no bees may be transported across the demarcation line.
African Honey Bee Apis mellifera scutellata
Honey bee pests and diseases
Much has been written about honeybee colonies around the world experiencing problems
with the varroa mite pest (Varroa destructor) and diseases like, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and American
foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae) as a result of human interferences
in regards to selective breeding, introducing foreign species into local
populations and many other factors. In most cases the decline in honey bee
populations can be counteracted by environmentally sound farming practices that
protect natural vegetation alongside agricultural lands to allow populations of
wild bees to thrive which will do the pollinating of crops that had been left
entirely to unnatural practices such as transporting honey bee colonies into the orchards
and fields during the flowering period to do the pollinating in the absence of
large enough populations of wild bees.
African Honey Bees are not being affected to any where near that same degree as the European Honey Bee which is kept in most other parts of the world because they are more robust and resilient
to pests and disease than the European Honey Bee. This natural immunity has left
the African Honey Bees mostly unaffected by the global Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) reported
extensively in Europe and America as well as American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) is caused by
a bacterium known as Paenibascillus larvae, so named due to the fact that it
infects honeybee larvae
Attracting bees into
your garden
Many of the more specialist wild bees are only attracted to our
local plants therefore the bigger the variety of local grasses, ground cover
plants, shrubs and trees that one has in the garden the larger the number of
bee species that one will attract into your garden. The more natural the plants are arranged in the garden the more your garden will attract bees. Occasionally allow portions
of your lawn to flower this will attract the most amazing number of bees
including honey bees which will come to collect the pollen.
My garden with its very large number of plants species in particular a large number of grass species attracts the most amazing variety and number of bees species.
A plant that attracts an extraordinarily large numbers of
bee species is Lilly Grass or Weeping Anthericum. This plant attracts more bee
species from large carpenter bees to the very smallest bees than any other
plant that I know. It is always interesting to watch these plants when they are being visited by the large bee species in particular the Carpenter bee Xylocopa caffra, because as the bee lands on the flower its weight causes the flower to drop down and as soon as it leaves to attend to the next flower it pops up again setting the whole plant in motion.
The Star flower Hypoxis hemerocallidea is a charming little grass land forb that also does its fair share to bring plenty of bee species into the garden.
Delospermun linearum, these little plants that I grew from a small cutting collected at Cato Ridge which I growing en mass in trays on my carport roof as well as growing in my grassland gardens is like a magnet to a very big variety of bees
Delospermun linearum
Nesting opportunities
Many bee species can be easily attracted to breed in holes of between 3 to 10 mm drilled into pieces of hard wood which are hung up in a warm dry location.
If anyone is interested in more information on attracting bees into the garden or making breeding stations for bees please contact me.
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
08.08.15
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Erythrina lysistemon occurs over a wide area in a wide range of altitudes and habitats from about the Mbashe River Mouth in Eastern Cape northwards to KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Gauteng, Mpumalanga North West Province and Limpopo. It grows in scrub forest, wooded kloofs, dry woodlands, dry savannah, and coastal dune bush and also in high rainfall areas.
In our area Erythrina lysistemon is found growing in abundance very often as a pioneer tree on sandy soils.
Erythrina lysistemon is a small to medium-sized, deciduous
tree with light to medium green leaves and brilliant orange to dark red
flowers, there is also a pink variety which was discovered in Zululand and
brought into cultivation by Dr Ian Whitton in the late 1960´s. Erythrina
lysistemon presents a very striking sight when it brings forth its brilliant
orange to dark red flowers on branches free of leaves in the dry winter months.
Erythrina lysistemon is a very rewarding tree that grows
very rapidly in particular on poor nutrient deficient soils providing large
amounts of bright red flowers and nectar for a large range of birds in the
winter months. The flowers produce abundant nectar that attracts many
nectar-feeding birds and insects, which in turn attract the insect-feeding
birds.
The fruit is a slender green pod which turns black at
maturity. The pod splits while still attached to the tree exposing bright red
'lucky bean' seeds.
Erythrina lysistemon provide ideal light shade for a whole
range of ground cover plants that need a little shading and as a bonus they are
provided with nitrogen due to the nitrogen fixing bacterial in the roots of the
tree. If the tree is trained by removing the lower branches are removed.
In recent years Erythrina lysistemon has become very popular as a feature tree
in landscaping because of its good clean sculptured growth form, spectacular
display when in flower and in particular large mature trees can transplanted
with ease at any time of year.
Erythrina lysistemon being a small tree suits even the
smallest of urban gardens, in my own garden I have eight specimens and intend
to plant a few more this season.
Barbets and woodpeckers hollow out nest chambers in the trunks of dead trees
which later become the homes to many other small hole nesting birds, such as
starlings, grey headed sparrows, black tits and others.
Erythrina lysistemon is widely used and enjoyed by mankind.
They have been regarded as royal trees, and were planted on the graves of Zulu
chiefs. They were planted as living fences around kraals, homesteads and
waterholes, and were one of the first wild trees to be planted in gardens in
South Africa. The end of the flowering season traditionally has signaled the
time to plough and to plant seeds for the next season’s crops.
South African Erythrinas are well known and grown in many other
countries with suitable climates in particular in the USA
Erythrina lysistemon is flower on the Ecoman logo.
Erythrina caffra is another very similar but much larger
specie is that grows in our area.
English : Common coral tree
Zulu: uMsinsi
Erythrina caffra occurs naturally in coastal forests and
along wooded rivers northwards along the east coast from the Humansdorp district
to just north of Port Shepstone and
again from lake St. lucia to Lake Sibayi
in Zululand
The branches are armed with prickles, which might serve as
protection to herbivores especially when trees are still young. Fully grown
trees are fairly drought resistant and can withstand several degrees of frost.
Erythrina caffra should be planted in sunny places in
well-drained soil. It can tolerate quite moist soils as it often grows on the
banks of rivers and streams. The trees will also put up with dry conditions and
poor soils; however, they do not respond well to excessively cold conditions.
Propagation of Erythrina
Both Erythrina lysistemon and Erythrina caffra are best
grown from fresh seed because seedlings grow very rapidly and under ideal
conditions if fresh seed is planted can produce their first flowers in their
first growing season. Soak the seed in
warn water until they swell before planting for rapid results, scarifying the
seed will speed up the process.
They can also be grown from large truncheon cuttings but if
grown from old wood from a matured tree tend to develop much slower and do not
develop to their fully potential. Truncheon cuttings are branches measuring at
least 50 mm in diameter with most of the smaller twigs with leaves removed. The truncheon is planted just deep enough so
that it does not fall over, staking would be helpful. Do not plant deeper that
500 mm into the soil.
Michael Hickman
Landscape Design and Rehabilitation Specialist
www.ecoman.co.za
michael@ecoman.co.za
11.07.15
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