Observations in the Family: Balanophoraceae

English Name: Bloodspikes

Synonyms also shown: Cynomoriaceae

Unknown plant Boesmanskloof

unknown-plant-boesmanskloof
By: David FoxDavid Fox's reputation in PlantsDavid Fox's reputation in Plants
Location: Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail Breakfast Rock Walk, Greyton
Observed on: 3rd May 2014
Added to iSpot: 5th May 2014
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 0
Description: Observed on side of Boesmanskloof Trail (Greyton - McGregor Trail). There were three similar columns in the vicinity - they had not grown as high as the ones pictured. Both "clusters" were growing on the very edge of the trail. The weather was warm and sunny, but judging by the amount of water in the rivers in the valley it may well have rained fairly recently.

I really have no idea on this one!

Julie 33
By: Quatermain's CampQuatermain's Camp's reputation in Plants
Location: N2, Kirkwood
Observed on: 29th September 2013
Added to iSpot: 11th April 2014
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 2
Comments: 0

Mystropetalon thomii

DSCN0464
By: Sandy SteenhuisenSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in Plants
Location: N2, Greater Hermanus
Observed on: 30th March 2014
Added to iSpot: 1st April 2014
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 3
Comments: 2
Description: Very excited to see that Mystropetalon thomii has just started flowering after the first Autumn rains. We would be most grateful for any information regarding population numbers and localities of this plant. If you come across it please could you email myself ([email protected]) or Dr Nina Hobbhahn ([email protected]).

Mystropetalon thomii

M. thomii
By: Sandy SteenhuisenSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in Plants
Location: N2, Greater Hermanus
Observed on: 9th May 2012
Added to iSpot: 14th March 2014
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 2
Comments: 2
Description: Dear All Dr Nina Hobbhahn (UKZN) and myself (UCT) are embarking on a project with the support of Cape Nature investigating the pollination and reproductive ecology of the holoparasitic plant Mystropetallon thomii or Kaapsewolwekos, Red Capecob (family Balanophoraceae) (synonyms/confused with Mystropetalon sollyii, Mystropetalon polemannii). The inflorescences should start to emerge from the soil after the first autumn rains around mid-April.

Mystropetalon thomii

Mystropetalon thomii
By: outramps
Botanical Society of South AfricaCustodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersGarden Route Botanical GardenMountain Club of SA (South Cape)OutrampsProtea Atlas Project
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Location: Kristalkloof Hike in the Langeberg
Observed on: 18th September 2013
Added to iSpot: 15th November 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 2
Comments: 9
Description: I can't for the life of me give this a name, altho I'm pretty certain that I've seen it before. Help please? It was about 10cm high

Sarcophyte sanguinea subsp. sanguinea

Sarcophyte sanguinea subsp. sanguinea
By: Rene HoenderdosRene Hoenderdos's reputation in PlantsRene Hoenderdos's reputation in Plants
Location: N1, Makhado
Observed on: 1st October 2013
Added to iSpot: 19th September 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 3
Comments: 36
Description: Low growing on the forest floor. Stump part looks similar to 'bobbejaanstert'. The red flowering parts (?) seem as if they are just developing. I saw this in Morning Sun Nature Reserve, about 15km north of Louis Trichardt. It was situated on the bottom reaches of the south facing slope of the Soutpansberg mountain. I returned to the site where I found the first specimen. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, field time was restricted to an afternoon. I couldn't relocate the first specimen due to time and light constraints,so I was unable to make observations regarding further growth.

DSC_0012

DSC_0012
By: mikegbucknall
Location: Katanga, CD
Observed on: 22nd August 2013
Added to iSpot: 25th August 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 2
Comments: 6
Description: Mahale National Park, Tanzania, looks like some kind of Protea?

West Peak Flower

West Peak flower
By: hwittridge
City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management Branch
hwittridge is knowledgeable about Plantshwittridge's earned reputation in Plantshwittridge's earned reputation in Plantshwittridge's earned reputation in Plants
Location: Helderberg Nature Reserve
Observed on: 22nd April 2013
Added to iSpot: 20th May 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 5
Comments: 2
Description: Sighting sent by a vistor at Helderberg Nature Reserve

Mystropetalon thomii

Orobanchaceae
By: Ferdi
Mountain Club of SA (South Cape)
Ferdi's reputation in PlantsFerdi's reputation in Plants
Location: Boesmanskloof Trail
Observed on: 2nd May 2013
Added to iSpot: 15th May 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 7
Comments: 5
Description: Looks like a Hyobanche sp or a Harveya sp

Parasitic plant?

Parasitic plant?
By: Sandy SteenhuisenSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in PlantsSandy Steenhuisen's reputation in Plants
Location: N2, Greater Hermanus
Observed on: 7th May 2013
Added to iSpot: 8th May 2013
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 6
Comments: 7
Description: Maroon red flowers clustered along a spike, very densely packed. No leaves visible, inflorescence emerging straight from the sand. Clustered around Protea repens roots but also in independent clusters. No strong scent.

Watchtower Peak to Houw Hoek Inn

GBs plant Watchtower Peak to Houw Hoek Inn 20 April
By: Karen Watkins
Botanical Society of South Africa A-team
Karen Watkins's reputation in PlantsKaren Watkins's reputation in Plants
Location: N2, Greater Hermanus
Observed on: 20th April 2013
Added to iSpot: 24th April 2013
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 4
Comments: 5
Description: Picture taken by Graham Bellairs

Aardroos

Aardroos
By: magrietb
Custodians of Rare and Endangered WildflowersLepidopterists' Society of AfricaSpider Club of South Africa
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Location: Jean's Hill, Kleinmond
Observed on: 23rd August 2012
Added to iSpot: 30th August 2012
Identifications: 1
Agreements: 4
Comments: 6
Description: Growing on the roots of Protea- and Leucadendron-dominant fynbos, forgot to check exact species but can go back! Wholly parasitic.

Balanaphoraceae

Balanophoraceae
By: JaneJane's reputation in PlantsJane's reputation in PlantsJane's reputation in PlantsJane's reputation in Plants
Location: Kleinmond
Observed on: 14th August 2011
Added to iSpot: 1st September 2011
Identifications: 2
Agreements: 7
Comments: 7
Description: underneath a Protea lepidocarpodendron. Something was smelly there too--could it be the plant?

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