As many of our flora observations do not yet have confirmed identifications, including observations from GSB 2023 as new records is tentative in most cases.

New additions to the Eswatini Flora Checklist:

Hypoxis obtusa

Most of our Hypoxis observations still require identification or confirmation, but if confirmed, this species would be a new addition to the Eswatini checklist.

Parapolydora gerrardii

There were two observations of this species. If the identification is confirmed, this would be a new record for Eswatini.

Macroptilium atropurpureum

This species is indigenous to the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central, and South America, and this is our first confirmed record for it from within Eswatini.

New records on iNaturalist for Eswatini:

Ocimum motjaneanum

There were four observations of this species, from two localities. This species is one of our near endemics, and prior to this year's GSB, had last been recorded from within Eswatini in 1997.

Hibiscus dongolensis

There were two observations of this species, the first for this species within Eswatini on iNaturalist. There are herbarium specimens of this species from within the country, the most recent being from 1983.

Maerua angolensis

Although this species has been recorded from various parts of the lowveld within the country, this is our first iNaturalist observation of this tree from Eswatini.

Pegolettia senegalensis

Pending confirmation of the identification, this would be the first iNaturalist observation of this species from Eswatini. There is one previous record of this species in Eswatini, a herbarium specimen collected in 1960 from the Big Bend area.

Senecio panduriformis

Pending confirmation of the identification, this would be the first iNaturalist observation of this species from Eswatini. Many of our Senecio observations do not yet have identifications, so it is possible that we might have more observations of this species. There are herbarium specimens of this plant from various parts of the country, the most recent being 1962.

Endemic plants - 7 observations of 4 species

Erica swaziensis | Eumorphia swaziensis | Senecio mlilwanensis | Streptocarpus davyii

Near endemic plants - 10 observations of 4 species

Brachystelma swazicum | Cassipourea swaziensis | Ocimum motjaneanum | Ornithogalum annae-ameliae

Exotic/introduced plant species - 33 observations

Bryophyta (Mosses) - 4 observations
Lycopodiopsida (Club mosses, spike mosses) - 6 observations
Polypodiopsida (Ferns) - 43 observations

Flowering Plants:
Monocots - 184 observations
Dicots - 645 observations

Top ten families:
Asteraceae - 140 observations
Fabaceae - 76 observations
Asparagaceae - 52 observations
Rubiaceae - 47 observations
Lamiaceae - 30 observations
Cyperaceae - 29 observations
Apocynaceae - 28 observations
Poaceae - 23 observations
Malvaceae - 21 observations
Campanulaceae - 20 observations

There were 5 lichen and 3 fungi observations.

Gymnopilus sp. | Panaeolus sp. | Subphylum Pezizomycotina | Parmotrema sp.

Arachnids - there were three observations of spiders.

Thomisus australis | Portia schultzi | Neoscona sp.

Insects - there were 102 observations of insects, with 76 species identified.

Paragomphus cognatus (Rock Hooktail) | Hemiolaus caeculus (Azure Hairstreak) | Dictyophorus spumans (Koppie Foam Grasshopper)

Coleoptera (Beetles) - 19 observations
Diptera (Flies) - 6 observations
Hemiptera (True bugs, aphids, hoppers) - 6 observations
Hymenoptera (Ants, bees, wasps and sawflies) - 12 observations
Lepidoptera:
Butterflies - 14 observations
Moths (excluding butterflies) - 27 observations
Neuroptera (Antlions and lacewings) - 1 observation
Odonata (Dragonflies and damselfiles) - 8 observations
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets and Katydids) - 7 observations
Trichoptera (Caddisflies) - 1 observation

Molluscs - 1 observation

This year's observers were more focussed on plants, our vertebrate observations were opportunistic, so there is plenty of room for improvement on this in the future.

Saxicola torquatus (African Stonechat) | Strongylopus grayii (Clicking Stream Frog)

Fish - none
Amphibians - 1 observation
Reptiles - none
Birds - 9 observations
Mammals - none

Thank you to everyone who participated, we have done better than ever before!

Apart from Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), our insects are not well documented yet. This year's bioblitz has added 6 new species of insects to our Eswatini checklist.

Anisorrhina umbonata | Atrichelaphinis nigropunctulata | Belonogaster lateritia

Leuconitocris nigricornis | Gastrimargus verticalis | Morphacris fasciata

Please join and follow the regional umbrella to keep up with the latest identification needs.

Join here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2023-southern-africa-umbrella
and check out
the latest journal articles here! .

We have 8 more days for identification. Please help out ...