Day 6 – Tuesday 19 August
Springbok to Nieuwoudtville
This morning we said a fond farewell to Springbok. I found the rocky landscapes and flower-filled plains breathtaking, Goegap Nature Reserve being my favourite place so far. But there more adventures to be had as we travelled south west to Niewoudtville, situated on the Bokkeveld Escarpment and temptingly described as the bulb capital of the world.
We all agreed with Frank’s suggestion to take the rough track over Studer’s Pass through the Kamiesberg mountain range. Frank said there would be plants growing amongst the granite boulders and wonderful views. The range stretches from Springbok in the north to Garies in the south, with the mountainous Kamiesberg escarpment in the centre.
We started our journey with a couple of botanising stops on the main N7 highway before turning onto the Studer’s Pass in the small town of Kamieskroon.
Lyperia tristis
Lapeirousia silenoides
On the ascent we found multiple Colchicum capensis, resembling white paper hats from a distance. We passed Aloe khamiesensis clinging to rocky outcrops and on the highest areas of the pass ground hugging plants grew on the exposed granite. There were many birds and a sunbathing Armadillo lizard. They have defensive spiny scales and roll up into a ball to protect themselves, which makes them appealing and are frequently poached.
Aloe khamiesensis
Colchicum capensis
View from Studer’s Pass
Colchicum circinatum
Moraea fugicissima
Armadillo girdled lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus)
Not far below the high rocky peaks there were flatter plains where swathes of blue Felicia and orange Dimorphotheca sinuata grew on farm fields. A small ravine with a stream was home to Massonia bifolia on the shaded rock face, geophytes that are pollinated by shrews. Descending further still the steep hillsides were dotted with yellow-green mounds of Euphorbia mauritanica. Pelargoniums grew in crevices in the rocks beside the road and Frank was delighted that at one stop we found striking Lachenalia carnosa. Nearing the end of the pass the roadside flora changed to the jewel colours of purple Aizoaceae and yellow and orange Asteraceae.
Massonia bifolia
Romulea kamiensis
Descending the Studers Pass
Pelargonium echinatum
Agama atra, Southern rock agama
Lachenalia carnosa
Nearing the end of the Studers Pass near Garies