Newsletter of the Southern African Botanical Diversity - SANBI
Newsletter of the Southern African Botanical Diversity - SANBI
Newsletter of the Southern African Botanical Diversity - SANBI
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<strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> Network Volume 9 No. 1 ISSN 1027-4286 September 2004<br />
Establishing National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Gardens in South Africa<br />
Documenting <strong>the</strong> threatened<br />
plants <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa: A small<br />
price paid<br />
Living plant collections:<br />
Threatened Plants Programme<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
1
c o n t e n t s<br />
ON OUR COVER: Aerial view <strong>of</strong> Kirstenbosch<br />
National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, South Africa.<br />
(Photo: Hi-Shots, South Africa)<br />
Cover Stories<br />
5 Establishing National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens in South<br />
Africa<br />
14 Documenting <strong>the</strong> threatened<br />
plants <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa: A<br />
small price paid<br />
37 Living plant collections:<br />
Threatened Plants<br />
Programme<br />
Features<br />
18 Cyperaceae in Namibia<br />
29 Plant taxonomy in <strong>the</strong> 21 st<br />
Century: meeting users’<br />
needs in Lesotho<br />
32 Researchsmith garners<br />
awards far and wide<br />
33 Succulent flora <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Africa worthy <strong>of</strong> wonder<br />
Book Reviews<br />
54 Biodiversity Prospecting &<br />
Access and Benefit Sharing<br />
55 Easy guide to indigenous<br />
shrubs<br />
56 Illustrated guide to <strong>the</strong><br />
wildflowers <strong>of</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn South<br />
Africa<br />
18 Cyperaceae<br />
14 Documenting threatened plants<br />
Regulars<br />
3 Editorial<br />
4 Letters to <strong>the</strong> Editors<br />
34 New books from SABONET<br />
57 The Paper Chase<br />
68 Regional News Update<br />
80 E-mail addresses<br />
Forum Botanicum<br />
56 2002 Compton Prize<br />
awarded to trio<br />
57 South <strong>African</strong> Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Botanists thanks SABONET<br />
5 Establishing <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens<br />
37 Threatened Plants<br />
Programme<br />
29 Plant taxonomy: Lesotho<br />
34 New Books from SABONET<br />
2 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
letter from <strong>the</strong> editors<br />
EDITORS: YOLANDE STEENKAMP & CECILIA DE VOS BELGRAVER<br />
The Project is slowly winding down with a scheduled closure date <strong>of</strong> 31 March 2005,<br />
and accompanying this “slow-down” (relatively speaking) <strong>the</strong>re have been some<br />
changes at <strong>the</strong> Regional Office yet again.<br />
Elsabé Malan (former Admin & Finance Officer for <strong>the</strong> SABONET Regional Office) has<br />
left SABONET to take up a position with a small auditing company. The Regional Coordinator<br />
has taken up a permanent position in <strong>the</strong> National <strong>Botanical</strong> Institute’s Data<br />
Section as “PRECIS Information Co-ordinator”, but will still be managing <strong>the</strong> SABONET<br />
Project until its closure. With <strong>the</strong> closure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Project looming so soon in <strong>the</strong> future,<br />
no new Admin & Finance Officer will be appointed.<br />
You may have noticed that for <strong>the</strong> first time in years, Marthina Mössmer is not one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> editors <strong>of</strong> SABONET News. No, she has not left SABONET, but as Editor-in-Chief <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> SABONET Report Series, she has been kept very busy during <strong>the</strong> past few months<br />
with numbers in <strong>the</strong> Report Series coming out every few weeks. Since January this<br />
year, seven Reports have been published (read more about <strong>the</strong>m on page 34), with<br />
about twelve more expected in <strong>the</strong> next few months. Since Report No. 25 “Herbarium<br />
Essentials”, rolled <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> presses in July 2004, people have been raving about it, and <strong>the</strong><br />
Regional Office is being flooded with requests for extra copies. If you haven’t received<br />
one yet and think that you will be able to use it, order it from sabonetpub@nbi.ac.za.<br />
But hurry! Stocks are limited.<br />
<strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> Network<br />
Editors<br />
Yolande Steenkamp<br />
Cecilia de Vos Belgraver<br />
Design and Layout<br />
Antoinette Burkhardt<br />
Vanilla Design Studio<br />
(27) 83 635-1446<br />
Reproduction and Printing<br />
Capture Press<br />
(27) 12 349-1802<br />
Subscriptions<br />
sabonetpub@nbi.ac.za<br />
Website<br />
www.sabonet.org<br />
Submission <strong>of</strong> Manuscripts<br />
Marthina Mössmer<br />
editors@sabonet.org<br />
See Instructions to Authors on page 4.<br />
SABONET News is <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial newsletter<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong><br />
Network (SABONET).<br />
This issue <strong>of</strong> SABONET News is dedicated to <strong>the</strong> Threatened Plants Programme that<br />
SABONET has established in participating botanic gardens in eight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ten countries.<br />
Read <strong>the</strong> stories in <strong>the</strong> Living Collections section on pages 37 to 54. There is also<br />
news from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, and <strong>the</strong> Regional Office and three very<br />
interesting articles, one on establishing National <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens in South Africa,<br />
one on <strong>the</strong> fascinating diversity <strong>of</strong> succulents in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa, and a species list <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Cyperaceae <strong>of</strong> Namibia.<br />
The next and final issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SABONET News is scheduled for January 2005. We<br />
are planning to dedicate it to reports on Important Plant Areas, and Centres <strong>of</strong> Plant<br />
Endemism and <strong>Diversity</strong> on <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> sub-continent, so please do send in<br />
your contributions!<br />
SABONET<br />
South <strong>African</strong> National Biodiversity Institute<br />
Private Bag X101<br />
Pretoria 0001<br />
SOUTH AFRICA<br />
Tel.: (27) 12 804-3200<br />
Fax: (27) 12 804-5979/3211<br />
SABONET News is published twice a year<br />
and is distributed free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />
Enjoy your reading!<br />
—Yolande Steenkamp & Cecilia de Vos Belgraver<br />
Printed on acid-free Dukuza<br />
Plus Matte coated paper, which<br />
contains a minimum <strong>of</strong> 60%<br />
bagasse—<strong>the</strong> residue remaining<br />
after sugar has been extracted<br />
from sugar cane.<br />
This newsletter was made possible through support<br />
provided by <strong>the</strong> GEF/UNDP (SABONET is a GEF<br />
Project implemented by <strong>the</strong> UNDP) and <strong>the</strong> Regional<br />
Centre for Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa, Gaborone, Botswana,<br />
US Agency for International Development (Plot no.<br />
14818 Lebatlane Road, Gaborone West, Extension<br />
6 Gaborone), under <strong>the</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grant No.<br />
690-0283-A-00-5950. The opinions expressed in<br />
<strong>the</strong> newsletter are those <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> authors and do<br />
not necessarily reflect <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> US Agency<br />
for International Development, <strong>the</strong> GEF/UNDP, <strong>the</strong><br />
SABONET Steering Committee or <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Working Groups.<br />
“Breaking News!<br />
The National <strong>Botanical</strong> Institute has <strong>of</strong>ficially changed to<br />
<strong>the</strong> South <strong>African</strong> National Biodiversity Institute<br />
on 1 September 2004”.<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
3
letters to <strong>the</strong> editors<br />
Just a line to thank you all at SABONET<br />
for SABONET Report Series No. 22,<br />
which is greatly appreciated and such<br />
a valuable compendium. Because I had<br />
managed to pay a short visit to Aburi when<br />
en route to Nigeria in 1971, I was especially<br />
interested in <strong>the</strong> coverage for West Africa.<br />
It’s especially interesting to read about <strong>the</strong><br />
mutual relationship between Limbe and<br />
North Carolina.<br />
—Jim Chapman<br />
11 Koromiko Crescent<br />
R.D.I, Lyttelton<br />
New Zealand<br />
Thank you very much for <strong>the</strong> latest excellent<br />
publication in your SABONET<br />
Report series. ‘Herbarium essentials’ is<br />
quite magnificent and will not only enhance<br />
<strong>the</strong> efficacy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local herbarium,<br />
but also prove to be a most useful teaching<br />
tool.<br />
—Rodney M<strong>of</strong>fett (Pr<strong>of</strong>.)<br />
Qwaqwa Campus<br />
University <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Free State<br />
South Africa<br />
Many thanks for your latest publication,<br />
<strong>the</strong> herbarium users manual,<br />
and o<strong>the</strong>r recent publications received<br />
from you.<br />
I congratulate <strong>the</strong> team which compiled<br />
this excellent manual, which should play<br />
a valuable part in stimulating interest<br />
in botanical exploration and collecting.<br />
I especially appreciate <strong>the</strong> sections on<br />
treating difficult material, and regret I did<br />
not have this when I started collecting in<br />
<strong>the</strong> 1960s.<br />
—Mike Bingham<br />
Lusaka<br />
mbingham@webtech.co.zm<br />
We have just received a copy <strong>of</strong> your<br />
wonderful ‘Herbarium essentials’.<br />
We will review it in our publications.<br />
I can imagine that this publication would<br />
be very useful for many institutions.<br />
—Etelka Leadlay<br />
BGCI<br />
199 Kew Road, Richmond Surrey<br />
TW9 3BW<br />
Email: Etelka.Leadlay@bgci.org<br />
editors@sabonet.org<br />
Thank you very much for sending <strong>the</strong><br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> Plant Red Data<br />
Lists Database on CD-ROM, as well as<br />
for sending SABONET News regularly,<br />
which is always a great pleasure to read.<br />
Both publications are a valuable source <strong>of</strong><br />
information for our work.<br />
—Dr Uwe Schippmann<br />
Bundesamt für Naturschutz<br />
Konstantinstrasse110<br />
53110 Bonn<br />
hanks for <strong>the</strong> terrific Herbaria in SAB-<br />
TONET countries. SABONET should be<br />
able to sell copies to every botany student<br />
in <strong>the</strong> world and to a lot <strong>of</strong> amateurs besides.<br />
And even to pr<strong>of</strong>essional botanists,<br />
like me. I am really impressed with its<br />
comprehensive, useful, well-illustrated<br />
coverage. It’s a classic already.<br />
—Dr Fay Robertson<br />
PO Box CH 385<br />
Chisipite<br />
Harare<br />
Zimbabwe<br />
Email: faykevin@zol.co.zw<br />
just opened an envelope containing <strong>the</strong> book Herbarium Essentials, and I must say that I am truly impressed. So impressed,<br />
in fact, that I was inspired to write an email congratulating everyone involved in this fine I publication.<br />
Over <strong>the</strong> years, I’ve come to expect <strong>the</strong> highest-quality output from SABONET, but this recent publication raises that level.<br />
The design, layout and content are all superb—what a marvelous resource it will be—not only<br />
in Africa but elsewhere as well. It’s one <strong>of</strong> those books that you just want to keep dipping into,<br />
since <strong>the</strong> information is presented in an attractive and accessible way.<br />
My major activities involve <strong>the</strong> computerization <strong>of</strong> herbaria (and living collections), and so I<br />
was particularly interested to read <strong>the</strong> section on compterization (pp 45-46). It is quite a short<br />
section on a large and complex topic and I was wondering if <strong>the</strong>re are plans to expand on this<br />
important topic at any point in <strong>the</strong> future?<br />
Please do send my remarks on to <strong>the</strong> editors and o<strong>the</strong>rs involved in this publication, and keep<br />
up <strong>the</strong> good work!<br />
1) Manuscripts should preferably be in<br />
English.<br />
2) If possible, text should be sent in electronic<br />
format via e-mail or on a stiffy disk and<br />
should be in Micros<strong>of</strong>t Word, WordPerfect,<br />
or Rich Text Format. O<strong>the</strong>rwise, hard copy<br />
can be sent or faxed to <strong>the</strong> SABONET<br />
head <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
3) Tables and charts should be in one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
following formats: Micros<strong>of</strong>t Excel, Quattro<br />
Pro, Lotus 1-2-3, or Harvard Graphics.<br />
Data must be supplied with charts.<br />
instructions to authors<br />
4) If possible, include colour slides, blackand-white<br />
photographs, or line drawings<br />
to illustrate articles. If you want to submit<br />
scanned images with your article, scan <strong>the</strong>m<br />
at 300 dpi and save as TIF or JPEG files.<br />
5) Caption all tables, figures, and photographs<br />
clearly on a separate sheet. Include photographer<br />
credits.<br />
6) Each author should <strong>the</strong>ir provide name,<br />
affiliation, postal address, telephone and<br />
fax numbers, and an e-mail address (if applicable).<br />
—Kerry S. Walter, BG-BASE<br />
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row<br />
Edinburgh EH3 5LR Scotland, UK<br />
Email: bg-base@rbge<br />
7) Look at <strong>the</strong> most recent issue <strong>of</strong> SABONET<br />
News for stylistic conventions.<br />
8) SABONET News holds <strong>the</strong> right to edit any<br />
received copy.<br />
9) Manuscripts should be sent to Marthina<br />
Mössmer. Via e-mail: editors@sabonet.org<br />
Hard copy: SABONET, National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001,<br />
SOUTH AFRICA. Fax: (27) 12 804-<br />
5979/3211.<br />
10) Submissions for <strong>the</strong> next issue should reach<br />
<strong>the</strong> editors before 30 November 2004.<br />
Late submissions will not be included.<br />
4 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Establishing<br />
National <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens<br />
in South Africa<br />
BY CHRISTOPHER K. WILLIS & BRIAN J. HUNTLEY<br />
“The site chosen should be conveniently accessible. A garden,<br />
however well managed and stocked with interesting and<br />
valuable plants, will be sure to languish if withdrawn in<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> inconvenience <strong>of</strong> situation from <strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
residents.”<br />
(Sir William Thiselton-Dyer, 1880)<br />
The <strong>Botanical</strong> Society Conservatory enables Kirstenbosch to display South <strong>African</strong> plants which cannot be grown in <strong>the</strong> outdoor gardens. Here,<br />
under one ro<strong>of</strong>, you will find plants from high mountain peaks, shady forests and hot, dry deserts. The main house, dominated by a large<br />
baobab tree, features succulents from <strong>the</strong> arid regions <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa. Special collections <strong>of</strong> bulbs, ferns and alpines are displayed in smaller<br />
corner houses. (Source: http://www.nbi.ac.za/kirstenbosch/mainpage.htm ) (Photo: Hi-Shots, South Africa.)<br />
A visit to <strong>the</strong> Lowveld National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden is<br />
incomplete without one first taking in this stunning view <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Crocodile River cascades. (Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
Increasingly, South Africa’s national botanical gardens are being<br />
transformed into embassies <strong>of</strong> South Africa’s biodiversity and culture.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
An on-site storage dam provides <strong>the</strong> Kirstenbosch National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> SABONET Garden News with Vol. a consistent 9 No. 1 September supply <strong>of</strong> 2004 water<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> year, despite this garden being exposed to<br />
hot, dry summers. (Photo: Christopher Willis.)<br />
Adequate safe parking and ablution facilities are essential<br />
elements <strong>of</strong> infrastructure for national botanical gardens.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
5
Regional Gardens: a history<br />
The establishment <strong>of</strong> National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Gardens (NBGs) in South Africa goes<br />
back to 1913 when Kirstenbosch and <strong>the</strong><br />
National Botanic Gardens were formed.<br />
The late Pr<strong>of</strong>. Harold Pearson, <strong>the</strong> first<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Botanic Gardens,<br />
once said that owing to geographic considerations<br />
it would be necessary to have<br />
at least ten National Botanic Gardens in<br />
South Africa, one in each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main climatic<br />
regions, and that one (he suggested<br />
it be based on <strong>the</strong> Cape Peninsula) should<br />
be <strong>the</strong> administrative centre for <strong>the</strong>m all.<br />
Ideally, national botanical gardens should be easily accessible to visitors and located<br />
in major urban areas, such as <strong>the</strong> Pretoria National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden is.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
The Karoo Desert National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden<br />
was founded in 1921, and up until <strong>the</strong><br />
1950s, <strong>the</strong> National Botanic Gardens had<br />
only two gardens under its control, both<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Western Cape. Ano<strong>the</strong>r garden<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Western Cape, <strong>the</strong> Harold Porter<br />
NBG, was founded in 1959. It was not until<br />
1967 that <strong>the</strong> National Botanic Gardens <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa extended its activities outside<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>n Cape Province. The purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
this programme <strong>of</strong> expansion was (a) to<br />
provide sites where eventually <strong>the</strong> entire<br />
South <strong>African</strong> flora could be cultivated,<br />
and (b) to make botanical gardens accessible<br />
to as many people in <strong>the</strong> country<br />
as possible. To provide <strong>the</strong> maximum<br />
contribution to science it was considered<br />
that <strong>the</strong> various botanical gardens would,<br />
as far as possible, be situated near large<br />
educational centres or near areas <strong>of</strong> dense<br />
population.<br />
The confluence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> perennial Nels and Crocodile Rivers is a spectacular sight that<br />
may be viewed from <strong>the</strong> Lowveld National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, Nelspruit.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
The next gardens to be founded were <strong>the</strong><br />
Drakensberg and Eastern Free State (<strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
opened on 18 May 1967), Free State<br />
(30 June 1967), Natal (12 November 1969),<br />
Lowveld (19 November 1969) and Walter<br />
Sisulu (11 March 1982) National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Gardens. Unfortunately, because <strong>of</strong> a lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> local support and its remote situation,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Drakensberg and Eastern Free State<br />
Botanic Garden was handed back to <strong>the</strong><br />
Harrismith Municipality in 1985.<br />
Water provides a tranquil atmosphere to visitors at <strong>the</strong> entrance to <strong>the</strong> Natal<br />
National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, Pietermaritzburg. (Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
By 1954, when Pr<strong>of</strong>. Brian Rycr<strong>of</strong>t succeeded<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Harold Compton as Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Botanic Gardens, only<br />
Kirstenbosch and <strong>the</strong> Karoo National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Garden had been established.<br />
During his term as Director, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rycr<strong>of</strong>t<br />
was responsible for establishing <strong>the</strong> following<br />
five National <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens<br />
that still exist today, namely Harold Porter,<br />
Free State, Natal, Lowveld and <strong>the</strong> Walter<br />
Sisulu NBGs. The Pretoria National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden, <strong>of</strong>ficially opened in 1958,<br />
was managed by <strong>the</strong> former <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Research Institute until amalgamation<br />
in 1989, when it was brought under <strong>the</strong><br />
control <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> newly formed National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Institute (NBI).<br />
6 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Source <strong>of</strong> land<br />
Drakensberg and Eastern Free State<br />
NBG (closed as a national botanical garden):<br />
Harrismith (now part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Thabo<br />
M<strong>of</strong>utsanyane District Municipality)<br />
Municipality<br />
Free State NBG: Bloemfontein (now Mangaung)<br />
Municipality<br />
Harold Porter NBG: Bequea<strong>the</strong>d by<br />
Harold Nixon Porter; Betty’s Bay (now<br />
Overstrand) Municipality<br />
Karoo Desert NBG: Whitehill site: Land<br />
donated by Mr JD Logan; Worcester site:<br />
Worcester (now Breede Valley) Municipality<br />
& Mr CP Heatlie<br />
Kirstenbosch NBG: Government allocation<br />
The Karoo Desert National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden was moved from its original position at<br />
Whitehill near Matjiesfontein to its current site (shown here) in Worcester in 1946.<br />
(Photo: Christopher Willis.)<br />
Lowveld NBG: Nelspruit (now Mbombela)<br />
Municipality & HL Hall and Sons<br />
Natal NBG: Pietermaritzburg (now Msunduzi)<br />
Municipality & Botanic Society <strong>of</strong><br />
Natal<br />
Pretoria NBG: Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture<br />
(now Tshwane Metro Municipality)<br />
Walter Sisulu NBG: Roodepoort (City <strong>of</strong><br />
Johannesburg) & Krugersdorp (Mogale<br />
City) Municipalities; SA Nature Foundation<br />
Consideration <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r regional<br />
gardens<br />
Although Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rycr<strong>of</strong>t was successful<br />
in establishing NBGs in each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> four<br />
provinces <strong>of</strong> South Africa (Cape Province,<br />
Orange Free State, Transvaal and Natal)<br />
at <strong>the</strong> time, he continued to explore <strong>the</strong><br />
option <strong>of</strong> establishing o<strong>the</strong>r ‘regional<br />
gardens’. In <strong>the</strong> National Botanic Garden’s<br />
Annual Report <strong>of</strong> 1971/2, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rycr<strong>of</strong>t<br />
indicated having had various discussions<br />
concerning new regional botanical gardens.<br />
These included <strong>the</strong> following:<br />
• Zululand Botanic Garden (at <strong>the</strong> mouth<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Umlalazi River)<br />
• Eastern Cape Botanic Garden (in <strong>the</strong><br />
Baakens River Valley)<br />
• Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Cape Botanic Garden (on <strong>the</strong><br />
banks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Vaal River at Riverton)<br />
• Vaal River Catchment Botanic Garden<br />
(Woody Island and surrounding islands<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Vaal River near Parys)<br />
• Highveld Botanic Garden (close to<br />
Krugersdorp; now <strong>the</strong> Walter Sisulu<br />
NBG)<br />
• Oudtshoorn Botanic Garden (created to<br />
house succulents from <strong>the</strong> Swartberg<br />
and Outeniqua Mountains).<br />
Mountain backdrop and varying topography in <strong>the</strong> Karoo Desert National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden, Worcester. (Photo: Christopher Willis.)<br />
An artificially created waterfall in <strong>the</strong> Pretoria National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, funded by<br />
Pretoria Portland Cement and completed in October 1992, provides flowing water<br />
in a garden that does not have a perennial river flowing within its boundary.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
7
The backdrop <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world famous Table Mountain provides a stunning setting for<br />
<strong>the</strong> new tea garden in Kirstenbosch National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, which was completed<br />
in October 2003. (Photo: Christopher Willis.)<br />
option that was pursued into <strong>the</strong> 1980s and<br />
early 1990s was that <strong>of</strong> a botanical garden<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Eastern Cape. In <strong>the</strong> NBG’s Annual<br />
Report <strong>of</strong> 1982, two gardens were listed as<br />
being possible in <strong>the</strong> Eastern Cape: one in<br />
Port Elizabeth (Baakens River Valley) and<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r in East London. Both <strong>the</strong> Port<br />
Elizabeth and East London City Councils<br />
agreed to make an annual financial contribution<br />
(which would be subject to review<br />
from time to time) towards <strong>the</strong> establishment<br />
and maintenance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> respective<br />
gardens. During <strong>the</strong> second half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
1980s, when Pr<strong>of</strong>. Kobus El<strong>of</strong>f succeeded<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rycr<strong>of</strong>t, Veld and Flora (June 1988)<br />
published <strong>the</strong> Board’s statement that “<strong>the</strong><br />
NBG should grow in usefulness and not<br />
necessarily in size, e.g. by developing<br />
fewer gardens more intensively ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />
than more gardens at a lower level” (Veld<br />
& Flora. El<strong>of</strong>f 1988).<br />
The 1991/1992 edition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NBI’s Annual<br />
Review had <strong>the</strong> following to say about<br />
<strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> a National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden in <strong>the</strong> Eastern Cape:<br />
National botanical gardens serve an<br />
important environmental education role<br />
for all South <strong>African</strong>s.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
In an Addendum to <strong>the</strong> minutes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
National Botanic Gardens EXCO Meeting<br />
held on 7 August 1974, Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rycr<strong>of</strong>t said:<br />
“It would be unwise to try to give <strong>the</strong> ultimate<br />
number <strong>of</strong> regional gardens; as <strong>the</strong><br />
population increases, <strong>the</strong> need for more<br />
gardens will expand. To supplement <strong>the</strong><br />
existing gardens, at least ano<strong>the</strong>r eight to<br />
ten are required to satisfy <strong>the</strong> need to have<br />
gardens where <strong>the</strong>re are large concentrations<br />
<strong>of</strong> people, or in important centres.<br />
Negotiations have already commenced<br />
and may be in an advanced stage for <strong>the</strong><br />
following gardens:<br />
• Port Elizabeth: Eastern Cape Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Krugersdorp: Transvaal Botanic Garden<br />
• East London: Kaffrarian Botanic Garden<br />
• Kimberley: Griqualand West Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Pietermaritzburg: Natal Forest Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Durban: Mangrove and Coast Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Oudtshoorn: Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cape Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Phalaborwa: Bushveld Botanic Gar-<br />
The attractive entrance to <strong>the</strong> Walter<br />
Sisulu National <strong>Botanical</strong> Garden,<br />
Roodepoort/Krugersdorp, hints at <strong>the</strong><br />
beauty that lies beyond.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
den<br />
• Graskop: Transvaal Forest Botanic<br />
Garden<br />
• Vryheid: Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Natal Botanic Garden.<br />
In addition, negotiations are taking place<br />
for <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> a KwaZulu Botanic<br />
Garden on <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn banks <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Umlalazi River at Mtunzini. Although<br />
negotiations have not commenced, it is<br />
desirable that a botanic garden should<br />
be established in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Transvaal<br />
[now Limpopo Province], <strong>the</strong> Knysna Forest<br />
Region, <strong>the</strong> Cape West Coast and one,<br />
or possibly two, in South West Africa [now<br />
Namibia], as well.<br />
At this stage, it is impossible to provide<br />
a final list <strong>of</strong> possible new gardens. Our<br />
policy in <strong>the</strong> future could be dictated<br />
largely by township development schemes<br />
and generous <strong>of</strong>fers <strong>of</strong> suitable sites.<br />
Of <strong>the</strong> possible gardens listed by Pr<strong>of</strong>.<br />
Rycr<strong>of</strong>t in 1974, apart from <strong>the</strong> Transvaal<br />
Botanic Garden (shortly after its <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
opening in 1982 it was renamed <strong>the</strong> Witwatersrand<br />
NBG and on 16 March 2004<br />
renamed <strong>the</strong> Walter Sisulu NBG), <strong>the</strong> only<br />
“The NBI has been approached on many<br />
occasions over <strong>the</strong> past 20 years concerning<br />
<strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Garden in Port Elizabeth<br />
– specifically at Settlers’ Park – for which<br />
detailed plans and proposals were submitted<br />
by a team <strong>of</strong> our senior horticultural<br />
staff. However, <strong>the</strong> combined factors <strong>of</strong><br />
continued controversy, both from various<br />
organisations and <strong>the</strong> Port Elizabeth public,<br />
and severe financial constraints, make<br />
it impossible for <strong>the</strong> NBI to accept this<br />
undertaking. The matter may be reconsidered<br />
at a later date, should all factors<br />
involved appear more favourable.”<br />
The matter <strong>of</strong> an additional garden being<br />
added to <strong>the</strong> network <strong>of</strong> National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Gardens was last listed in <strong>the</strong> 1992/1993<br />
Annual Review, where it states: “A fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
NBG has been proposed for Port Elizabeth,<br />
but despite several top level meetings,<br />
funding is unlikely to be forthcoming in<br />
<strong>the</strong> foreseeable future.”<br />
The eight National <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens<br />
managed by <strong>the</strong> NBI are currently located<br />
in five <strong>of</strong> South Africa’s nine provinces,<br />
namely Western Cape (three: Cape Town,<br />
Betty’s Bay and Worcester), Free State<br />
(Bloemfontein), KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg),<br />
Mpumalanga (Nelspruit) and<br />
Gauteng (two: Pretoria and Roodepoort/<br />
Krugersdorp). In response to various<br />
requests received since 1994 to establish<br />
national botanical gardens in <strong>the</strong> remaining<br />
four provinces <strong>of</strong> South Africa, it was<br />
considered opportune to make available<br />
certain criteria for establishing new NBGs.<br />
These criteria are based on <strong>the</strong> over 90<br />
8 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
years’ experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Institute and its predecessors in managing<br />
its network <strong>of</strong> NBGs.<br />
Defining characteristics <strong>of</strong> a<br />
botanical garden<br />
(after IUCN-BGCS and WWF 1989)<br />
• adequate labelling <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plants<br />
• an underlying scientific basis for <strong>the</strong><br />
collections<br />
• communication <strong>of</strong> information to o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
gardens, institutions, organisations and<br />
<strong>the</strong> public<br />
• exchange <strong>of</strong> seeds or o<strong>the</strong>r materials<br />
with o<strong>the</strong>r botanical gardens, arboreta<br />
or research stations<br />
• long-term commitment to, and responsibility<br />
for, <strong>the</strong> maintenance <strong>of</strong> plant<br />
collections<br />
• maintenance <strong>of</strong> research programmes<br />
in plant taxonomy in associated herbaria<br />
• monitoring <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plants in <strong>the</strong> collection<br />
• open to <strong>the</strong> public<br />
• promoting conservation through extension<br />
and environmental education<br />
activities<br />
• proper documentation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> collections,<br />
including those <strong>of</strong> wild origin<br />
• undertaking scientific or technical<br />
research on plants in <strong>the</strong> collections.<br />
Criteria for establishing new<br />
national botanical gardens<br />
Experience has shown that while most <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> existing NBGs are well located, some<br />
are not. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gardens were developed<br />
on property that became available,<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r by personal bequest or donation<br />
from municipalities, for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> a botanical garden,<br />
and in several cases were not established<br />
as a result <strong>of</strong> careful planning and <strong>the</strong><br />
identification <strong>of</strong> optimal sites.<br />
NBGs with perennial water running<br />
through <strong>the</strong> properties include Harold<br />
Porter, Kirstenbosch, Lowveld, Natal and<br />
Walter Sisulu. Water flows through <strong>the</strong><br />
Free State NBG only occasionally during<br />
<strong>the</strong> summer rainy season from November<br />
to March/April. Nei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> Pretoria nor<br />
<strong>the</strong> Karoo Desert NBGs have perennial<br />
water sources. In both gardens, this is a<br />
major limiting factor, because municipal<br />
(additional expense) or borehole water<br />
has to be used for irrigation. Moving a<br />
botanical garden from one site to ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
is not viable due mainly to <strong>the</strong> expense<br />
involved. It has, however, been done<br />
twice before in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national<br />
botanical gardens. The Karoo Desert NBG<br />
was moved from its original position at<br />
Whitehill near Matjiesfontein to Worcester<br />
in 1946, 25 years after <strong>the</strong> garden had been<br />
established. A combination <strong>of</strong> drought,<br />
a new national road and little public<br />
support, especially during <strong>the</strong> Second<br />
World War, forced <strong>the</strong> National Botanic<br />
Gardens to vacate <strong>the</strong> Whitehill site in<br />
1946 and re-establish <strong>the</strong> Karoo Garden in<br />
Worcester, where it was <strong>of</strong>ficially opened<br />
on 25 September 1948. Three years after<br />
its inception, <strong>the</strong> Drakensberg and Eastern<br />
Free State Botanic Garden near Harrismith<br />
was moved 29 km from its original site in<br />
Major’s Drift to Waterworks Valley at <strong>the</strong><br />
foot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Platberg to ensure a reliable<br />
water supply (Hawkins 1970).<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r NBG that is perhaps not ideally<br />
situated, especially in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> availability<br />
<strong>of</strong> water, is <strong>the</strong> Pretoria NBG. Had<br />
<strong>the</strong> garden been established in <strong>the</strong> 1990s,<br />
a different, well-planned and strategically<br />
identified site would definitely have been<br />
sought before establishing <strong>the</strong> garden. It<br />
is interesting to note, however, that <strong>the</strong><br />
Pretoria NBG was originally established<br />
as a garden to be used by researchers<br />
and taxonomists working in <strong>the</strong> former<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Research Institute ra<strong>the</strong>r than<br />
as a garden catering for <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
general public.<br />
Based on <strong>the</strong> experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NBI, national<br />
botanical gardens should ideally be<br />
strategically positioned according to <strong>the</strong><br />
following minimum criteria:<br />
Definitions <strong>of</strong> a botanical garden<br />
“A botanical garden is an institution where plants are grown and displayed for <strong>the</strong><br />
purpose <strong>of</strong> research, conservation, education and recreation in order to promote<br />
an understanding, love and appreciation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> plant life.”<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens Needs Assessment, Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
<strong>Diversity</strong> Network Report No. 11, November 2000.<br />
“Botanic gardens are institutions holding documented collections <strong>of</strong> living plants<br />
for <strong>the</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> scientific research, conservation, display and education.”<br />
Peter Wyse Jackson, International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in<br />
Conservation, BGCI, 2000.<br />
“A botanic garden is a hybrid type <strong>of</strong> organisation combining some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> functions<br />
<strong>of</strong> a university, a museum and an experimental station, with <strong>the</strong> informal<br />
recreational aspects <strong>of</strong> a park system. The tools <strong>of</strong> a botanic garden, its plant collections,<br />
are so employed that <strong>the</strong>y exhibit great aes<strong>the</strong>tical appeal, along with<br />
instructional and inspirational values as well as existing for <strong>the</strong>ir primary scientific<br />
purpose.”<br />
Anonymous author, in A Botanic Garden in <strong>the</strong> Indian Context, Academic Press<br />
(Inc.), London.<br />
The majority <strong>of</strong> South Africa’s national botanical gardens have large areas <strong>of</strong> unique natural veld under <strong>the</strong>ir management.<br />
(Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.)<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
9
Community support<br />
• linked to an active local branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> South Africa<br />
• supported by <strong>the</strong> local community and<br />
civil society<br />
Services<br />
• perennial river(s) flowing through <strong>the</strong><br />
property<br />
• suitable water supply<br />
• a reliable supply <strong>of</strong> electricity lines and<br />
sewerage pipes<br />
Horticultural potential<br />
• with suitable areas <strong>of</strong> arable soil for <strong>the</strong><br />
landscaped portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> garden<br />
Landscape<br />
• includes varying topography, slopes,<br />
environmental conditions and microclimates<br />
Accessibility<br />
• NBI may allow, regulate or prohibit<br />
access by <strong>the</strong> public to <strong>the</strong> national<br />
botanical garden<br />
• close to (within 20 km <strong>of</strong>) a major urban<br />
centre<br />
• within a 30 km catchment area <strong>of</strong> at<br />
least 250,000 people<br />
• easily accessible to staff and potential<br />
visitors from major road routes<br />
Biodiversity<br />
• includes a large area <strong>of</strong> relatively undisturbed<br />
natural habitats/vegetation<br />
representative <strong>of</strong> at least some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
main vegetation type(s) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> province<br />
Land<br />
• land should be available on a 99-year<br />
lease to <strong>the</strong> NBI or be handed over to<br />
<strong>the</strong> NBI/state<br />
• current land owners should be willing<br />
to lease or transfer <strong>the</strong> land<br />
Education and research<br />
• easily accessible to educational and<br />
research institutions.<br />
Financial implications<br />
Infrastructure development and service<br />
provision (R20,000,000)<br />
Security (fencing <strong>of</strong> property)(R1,500,000)<br />
Landscaping and development <strong>of</strong> demonstration<br />
garden, including construction <strong>of</strong><br />
pathways (R5,000,000)<br />
Control <strong>of</strong> alien invasive plants on estate<br />
(R500,000 and annual provision <strong>of</strong><br />
R250,000)<br />
Acquisition <strong>of</strong> vehicles and necessary<br />
equipment (tractors, lawnmowers)<br />
(R1,500,000)<br />
Annual operational budget (R4,000,000)<br />
Includes salaries, running costs, staff<br />
clothing, housing subsidy, overtime,<br />
administrative costs, electricity, postage,<br />
refuse removal, outsourced security,<br />
vehicle hire, subsistence and travel allowances,<br />
field trips, repair and maintenance<br />
<strong>of</strong> minor equipment, cleaning, vehicle<br />
fuel, materials, advertising, marketing,<br />
printing, signage, and computer costs,<br />
amongst o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />
Annual allocation <strong>of</strong> R250,000 for maintenance<br />
<strong>of</strong> buildings, major equipment<br />
and vehicles. Annual maintenance costs<br />
should ideally be set at 1.5 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
replacement value <strong>of</strong> buildings and infrastructure<br />
on <strong>the</strong> property.<br />
Initial costs<br />
Design and planning: R1,500,000<br />
Infrastructural development: R20,000,000<br />
(could be phased over a few years)<br />
Security fencing: R1,500,000<br />
Landscape and garden development:<br />
R5,000,000<br />
Initial control <strong>of</strong> alien invasive plants:<br />
R500,000<br />
Vehicles and necessary equipment:<br />
R1,500,000<br />
Total per garden: R30,000,000 (excluding<br />
cost <strong>of</strong> land acquisition)<br />
Annual costs<br />
Annual operating budget: R4,000,000<br />
Maintenance: R250,000<br />
Control <strong>of</strong> alien invasive plants: R250,000<br />
Annual total per garden: R4,500,000<br />
Personnel implications<br />
• Curator<br />
• 3 horticulturists (one dedicated outreach<br />
horticulturist),<br />
• Education <strong>of</strong>ficer,<br />
• Interpretation <strong>of</strong>ficer,<br />
• Marketing <strong>of</strong>ficer,<br />
• Administrative <strong>of</strong>ficer, and<br />
• 20 staff members.<br />
Recommendations<br />
For each proposed national botanical<br />
garden, <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> development would<br />
include <strong>the</strong> following activities:<br />
1. Site Analysis/Feasibility Study (see<br />
Wyse Jackson 2003)<br />
2. Preliminary master plan (includes master<br />
site plan for <strong>the</strong> layout <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> garden,<br />
management/organisational structure,<br />
financial projections (funding needed<br />
and available for establishment and<br />
on-going maintenance), expenditure,<br />
estimates <strong>of</strong> phased construction costs,<br />
additional benefits, potential risks and<br />
local and national benefits)(Wyse Jackson<br />
2003)<br />
3. Workshops with local community and<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders<br />
4. Approval <strong>of</strong> overall concept for <strong>the</strong><br />
garden, required capital expenditure,<br />
identified and committed financial<br />
resources, and timetable for establishment<br />
5. Acquisition <strong>of</strong> land<br />
6. Project direction and staff appointed<br />
7. Architectural & landscape design and<br />
planning<br />
Nursery with associated buildings<br />
(potting facility, propagation beds and<br />
shade houses, poison store, chemical<br />
store, soil mixing and storage area)<br />
workshop<br />
visitors’ centre<br />
plant sales nursery<br />
administrative <strong>of</strong>fices<br />
herbarium and o<strong>the</strong>r scientific facilities<br />
library with relevant botanical books<br />
staff facilities<br />
housing for selected staff (at least two<br />
staff houses)<br />
irrigation systems<br />
photocopier<br />
computers & cell phones<br />
potable water<br />
fire water supply<br />
sewerage reticulation<br />
2-way radios<br />
telephones<br />
fax machine<br />
e-mail/Internet access<br />
electricity supply<br />
toilets for staff and public<br />
parking area and associated lighting<br />
fire-fighting equipment<br />
pathway construction<br />
tea garden/restaurant<br />
venue for hosting functions<br />
environmental education centre<br />
interpretive signs and labelling<br />
display glasshouse<br />
8. Implementation<br />
10 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Table 1. Summary statistics <strong>of</strong> South Africa’s National <strong>Botanical</strong> Gardens.<br />
Statistic Free State Harold Porter Karoo Desert Kirstenbosch Lowveld Natal Pretoria Walter Sisulu<br />
Foundation date 1967 1955/1959 1921/1946 1913 1969 1874/1969 1958 1982<br />
Staff complement (permanent) 23 23 25 132 41 25 61 42<br />
Horticulturists 2 2 2 9+3 2 2 4 3<br />
Annual security costs 6,000 1,000 1,000 400,000 34,000 45,000 324,000 220,000<br />
contracted out (R)<br />
Annual Government 1,584,967 918,870 1,682,421 3,656,000 2,053,790 1,505,263 3,892,592 2,286,000<br />
Grant allocation (R)<br />
Annual income (R) 70,000 234,269 85,128 13,555,000 300,000 216,337 508,812 1,475,000<br />
(excluding sponsorships)<br />
Staff salaries (incl. overtime) 1,474,200 1,065,000 1,538,500 9,891,000 2,034,000 1,466,000 3,481,000 2,845,000<br />
per annum (R)<br />
Percentage self-generated 4.4 16.7 0.8 72.8 13.1 11.9 12 39.2<br />
income (%)<br />
Landscaped area (ha) 6.7 10 11 38 25 14 43 20<br />
Natural or low-maintenance 66.8 190.5 143 470 § 134 40 33 280<br />
areas (ha)<br />
Visitors (per annum) 32,000 46,000 36,000 650,000 50,000 50,000 70,000 165,000<br />
Admission fees (R) 8/4 8/4 10/5* 20/10/5** 9/5 8/5 12/6 15/7<br />
Adults/children<br />
Municipal water use 5,000,000 2,000,000 4,931,000 500,000 9,424,000 6,693,600 6,860,000 7,300,000<br />
per annum (l)<br />
Borehole water use 36,000,000 0 No borehole 700,000 0 0 100,800,000 0<br />
per annum (l)<br />
River water use No river Unknown No river 170,000,000 65,000,000 18,000,000 No river 98,000,000<br />
per annum (l)<br />
Accessible distance (km) 3.5 0 1.5 1 1 5 2.5 2<br />
from nearest major road<br />
Visitors Centre Planned • • • •<br />
Restaurant/Tea Garden • • • • • • •<br />
Environmental Education • • • • •<br />
Centre<br />
Home Gardening Centre<br />
•<br />
Display Glasshouse<br />
•<br />
Education Programme Planned Ad hoc Ad hoc • Planned • •<br />
Herbarium • • • • • • •<br />
Research Centre • •<br />
* Entrance fees charged only during <strong>the</strong> annual flower season (August to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> October)<br />
** Adult/Student/Child<br />
§ Kirstenbosch NBG is also responsible for managing <strong>the</strong> Edith Stephens Wetland Park (1957; 3,42 ha) and <strong>the</strong> Tienie Versfeld Reserve<br />
(1957; 20,72 ha) in <strong>the</strong> Western Cape.<br />
Tea gardens<br />
and/or restaurants<br />
have<br />
been built<br />
in most <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa’s<br />
national<br />
botanical<br />
gardens.<br />
(Photo: Hans<br />
Heilgendorff.)<br />
National botanical gardens<br />
are not exempt<br />
from <strong>the</strong> forces <strong>of</strong> nature.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> natural<br />
events, sometimes with<br />
costly consequences, that<br />
South Africa’s national<br />
botanical gardens and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir staff have to deal<br />
with include droughts,<br />
strong winds, storms,<br />
black frost, fires and floods. (Photo: Johan Hurter.)<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
11
Conclusions<br />
Whilst <strong>the</strong>re can be no perfect site for <strong>the</strong><br />
establishment <strong>of</strong> a new national botanical<br />
garden, certain criteria must be carefully<br />
considered in determining an optimal site<br />
in a particular area. With a reliable water<br />
supply, arable soils, accessibility to a large<br />
number <strong>of</strong> people, varying topography<br />
with relatively pristine natural vegetation<br />
and on-going local and government support,<br />
national botanical gardens can serve<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir intended functions for many years.<br />
Careful planning, and on-going financial<br />
and community support are probably <strong>the</strong><br />
main components when establishing a<br />
sustainable national botanical garden.<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
Gort Hughes, Daan Botha, Nazeer Rawoot,<br />
Ben Engelbrecht and <strong>the</strong> Curators <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa’s national botanical gardens<br />
are thanked for providing some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
information and statistics included in this<br />
paper. Emsie du Plessis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> NBI Publications<br />
Unit is thanked for editing earlier<br />
versions <strong>of</strong> this article.<br />
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+ 96 pp.<br />
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Developing capacity within sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
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implications for succulent plant<br />
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41(1): 6-15.<br />
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plan for sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> botanical<br />
gardens. Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
<strong>Diversity</strong> Network Report No. 12.<br />
SABONET, Pretoria. 36 pp.<br />
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needs assessment <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
botanical gardens. SABONET News<br />
3(3): 140-144.<br />
Willis, C., Botha, D. & Winter, J. 1999.<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> botanical gardens<br />
needs assessment update. SABONET<br />
News 4(1): 9-22.<br />
Willis, C., Dalzell, C. & Siebert, S. 2001.<br />
SABONET: building capacity in<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> botanical gardens.<br />
<strong>African</strong> Botanic Gardens Network<br />
Bulletin 3: 2-3.<br />
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Regional course for sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
horticulturists. <strong>African</strong> Botanic Gardens<br />
Network Bulletin 5: 4.<br />
Wyse Jackson, P.S. 2003. The development<br />
<strong>of</strong> feasibility studies for <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong><br />
new botanic gardens. Botanic Gardens<br />
Conservation News 3(10): 46-48.<br />
Wyse Jackson, P.S. & Su<strong>the</strong>rland, L.A.<br />
2000. International Agenda for botanic<br />
gardens in conservation. Botanic<br />
Gardens Conservation International,<br />
U.K. 56 pp.<br />
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C. 1999. A review <strong>of</strong> international<br />
conventions which affect <strong>the</strong> work<br />
<strong>of</strong> botanic gardens. Botanic Gardens<br />
Conservation News 3(2): 29-54.<br />
Xaba, P.A. 2002. The Useful Plants Garden<br />
Project at <strong>the</strong> Natal National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden. SABONET News 7(1): 50-51.<br />
Commitment to <strong>the</strong> long-term<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> living plant collections,<br />
such as <strong>the</strong> Haworthia collection in<br />
<strong>the</strong> Karoo Desert National <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden, is a defining characteristic <strong>of</strong> a<br />
botanic garden.<br />
Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.<br />
The Karoo Desert National<br />
<strong>Botanical</strong> Garden, Worcester, now<br />
has a new shade-house for <strong>the</strong><br />
Mesembryan<strong>the</strong>maceae collection.<br />
Photo: Christopher Willis.<br />
Promoting <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> indigenous plants and<br />
selling <strong>the</strong>m to visitors and members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
broader public is an important function <strong>of</strong><br />
South Africa’s national botanical gardens<br />
that provides a vital source <strong>of</strong> income for<br />
<strong>the</strong> individual gardens.<br />
Photo: Hans Heilgendorff.<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
13
Documenting<br />
<strong>the</strong> threatened plants <strong>of</strong><br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa:<br />
A small price paid<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong> Network<br />
(SABONET), <strong>the</strong> World Conservation Union (IUCN) made available funds for <strong>the</strong><br />
compilation <strong>of</strong> plant Red Data Lists for <strong>the</strong> ten participating countries. Analysis <strong>of</strong> costs<br />
involved in terms <strong>of</strong> human and financial resources to perform conservation assessments<br />
<strong>of</strong> threatened plants revealed interesting trends, especially cost savings due to <strong>the</strong> coordination<br />
mechanism followed with stakeholder participation and data collection.<br />
Disseminating data proved more expensive than accumulation <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>. SABONET has<br />
demonstrated that with sound management and co-ordination, and selective regional<br />
participatory consultation and peer review, it is possible to assess conservation status <strong>of</strong><br />
threatened plants at around USD 17/taxon and produce <strong>the</strong> complete product at USD<br />
38/taxon. Cost-effective expenditure for generating conservation-oriented information<br />
is <strong>of</strong>ten overlooked in donor-funded projects. This article presents a project case study <strong>of</strong><br />
how a low financial input can lead to high returns in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> useful information and<br />
skills that can improve conservation decisions).<br />
14 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
The impact <strong>of</strong> years <strong>of</strong> post-colonial<br />
dormancy, <strong>the</strong> crippling effects <strong>of</strong> civil<br />
wars and political instability have left <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
mark on <strong>the</strong> intellectual capital <strong>of</strong> botanical<br />
knowledge in many sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
countries (Huntley 1998). Today, most<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expertise lies outside <strong>the</strong> national<br />
institutions. With national herbaria as<br />
focal points, botanical institutions have<br />
experienced a gradual recovery as part <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> <strong>Diversity</strong><br />
Network (SABONET) Project, a Global<br />
Environment Facility (GEF)/United Nations<br />
Development Programme (UNDP)<br />
project (Siebert & Smith 2004).<br />
The Red List compilation for <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
<strong>African</strong> region (6,000,000 km 2 ) was produced<br />
under <strong>the</strong> auspices <strong>of</strong> SABONET<br />
(Golding 2000) with funding from <strong>the</strong><br />
World Conservation Union (IUCN) Regional<br />
Office for Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa (ROSA)<br />
over 30 months. Golding (2001a) provides<br />
an overview <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SABONET<br />
Red List Project in SABONET<br />
News 6(3).<br />
Collaborative research and consolidation<br />
<strong>of</strong> technical information<br />
culminated in comprehensive accounts<br />
<strong>of</strong> priority threatened plant<br />
species for more countries than any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
regional Red Listing initiative in Africa.<br />
Over 3,900 plant species from ten sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
<strong>African</strong> countries, namely Angola,<br />
Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,<br />
Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia<br />
and Zimbabwe were subjected to 4,100<br />
assessments, and assigned a category <strong>of</strong><br />
threat based on <strong>the</strong> internationally accepted<br />
principles established by IUCN.<br />
The results showed that 10 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
region’s flora is in urgent need <strong>of</strong> conservation<br />
action (Golding 2002).<br />
The SABONET publication <strong>of</strong> plant Red<br />
Data Lists (Golding, 2002) has <strong>the</strong>refore<br />
been one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most significant and encouraging<br />
recent contributions to <strong>the</strong> conservation<br />
<strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa’s flora — see<br />
comments by Peter Raven and Achim<br />
Steiner in <strong>the</strong> project newsletter (Siebert<br />
& Mössmer 2003). This is an example <strong>of</strong><br />
how Red Lists have provided sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
<strong>African</strong> herbaria with an ‘entry point’ to<br />
collaborate with local plant diversity specialists<br />
(Golding & Smith 2001) to produce<br />
stable, yet adaptable accounts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> endangered<br />
plant species <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region and<br />
<strong>the</strong> threats <strong>the</strong>y face. The project was an<br />
essential step towards bridging <strong>the</strong> gap<br />
and transforming <strong>the</strong> field experience <strong>of</strong><br />
stakeholders and researchers, and <strong>the</strong> data<br />
housed in herbaria, into accessible, usable<br />
and useful information products (Golding<br />
2001b) that can improve and expand <strong>the</strong><br />
conservation activities <strong>of</strong> conservationists<br />
and governments in <strong>the</strong> region (Golding<br />
& Timberlake 2003).<br />
Red Lists have a broad application for<br />
identifying conservation priorities at <strong>the</strong><br />
level <strong>of</strong> species and <strong>the</strong>ir core habitat<br />
requirements. Their inherent value facilitates<br />
resource planning, adds impetus to<br />
threatened species conservation and value<br />
to indigenous resources, and also affords<br />
objective insights into <strong>the</strong> exploitative<br />
extraction <strong>of</strong> natural resources (Izidine et<br />
al. 2004). The benefits that this acquired<br />
knowledge holds for conservation in<br />
Africa are apparent and plentiful, but<br />
what are <strong>the</strong> costs in terms <strong>of</strong> human and<br />
financial resources to undertake a project<br />
<strong>of</strong> this kind? This paper reports on <strong>the</strong><br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> experience and <strong>the</strong> ‘price<br />
paid’ to produce conservation-oriented<br />
information. It is hoped that this quantification<br />
will assist similar future initiatives<br />
to develop cost-effective strategies and to<br />
The SABONET publication <strong>of</strong> plant Red Data<br />
Lists (Golding, 2002) has <strong>the</strong>refore been one<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most significant and encouraging recent<br />
contributions to <strong>the</strong> conservation <strong>of</strong><br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa’s flora.<br />
aid donor agencies with project development<br />
decisions.<br />
Data collection<br />
From <strong>the</strong> start <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project, management<br />
kept detailed spreadsheets that recorded<br />
details <strong>of</strong> all meetings and workshops.<br />
Subsidiary data were added, including<br />
<strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> workshop participants,<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional background <strong>of</strong> participants<br />
(taxonomist, ecologist, field botanist, etc.),<br />
workshop costs (air travel, accommodation<br />
and similarly large expenses), and<br />
<strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> taxa assessed during work<br />
sessions. Data were analysed in terms <strong>of</strong><br />
human and financial resources respectively<br />
using simple techniques (project<br />
Disa erubescens. (Photo: SABONET)<br />
statistics are available on <strong>the</strong> project web<br />
site: www.sabonet.org).<br />
There have been detailed evaluations<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expenditure <strong>of</strong> SABONET funds<br />
as a function <strong>of</strong> products delivered. For<br />
instance, Smith et al. (2003) found that<br />
it cost USD 3.67 for each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 450,000<br />
herbarium specimens to be captured on<br />
computer as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> SABONET project.<br />
It was probably one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most cost-effective<br />
initiatives in <strong>the</strong> world to document<br />
plant life. It would appear that SABONET<br />
produces good-value-for-money products,<br />
and makes <strong>the</strong>se available free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />
Similarly, <strong>the</strong> Red Data List project also<br />
proved to be cost-effective, with <strong>the</strong> complete<br />
process <strong>of</strong> assessing 4,100 threatened<br />
species costing USD 38 each (Table 1).<br />
Pitman & Jorgenson (2002) estimated<br />
that a Red List project in a mega-diverse<br />
region cost < USD 100/species. As one <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> world’s mega-diverse regions<br />
(Groombridge & Jenkins 2002),<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa managed to spend<br />
just 38 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> maximum<br />
predicted cost.<br />
However, <strong>the</strong> calculations are not<br />
flawless. It is assumed that it costs<br />
exactly <strong>the</strong> same to assess any plant species,<br />
be it detailed counts <strong>of</strong> rare species<br />
in nature or desktop evaluations <strong>of</strong> type<br />
collections <strong>of</strong> extinct taxa. The approach<br />
followed does not differentiate between<br />
groups that might be more or less expensive<br />
to assess; yet one cannot do an<br />
analysis any o<strong>the</strong>r way due to <strong>the</strong> nature<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> available data.<br />
Plant assessments in Europe<br />
The Swedish ArtDataBanken has also<br />
estimated <strong>the</strong> costs involved in assessing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir threatened species, including<br />
co-ordination, collection and dissemination<br />
expenses. They assessed about 5,000<br />
species in-depth and red-listed 4,100 (U.<br />
Gärdenfors pers. comm.). The total cost<br />
involved ranged between USD 200,000<br />
and 250,000 – excluding <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> compiling<br />
detailed information sheets about<br />
every single species. If we consider <strong>the</strong><br />
total amount spent, it cost between USD<br />
49 and 61/taxon to determine <strong>the</strong> threat<br />
status <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 4,100 species. This means it<br />
costs nearly twice as much in Europe as<br />
it does in (sou<strong>the</strong>rn) Africa to assess <strong>the</strong><br />
status <strong>of</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> a plant species. By world<br />
standards <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> SABONET Red<br />
List initiative was a cost-effective exercise<br />
to assess <strong>the</strong> status <strong>of</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> plants on<br />
a regional scale.<br />
SABONET spent 26 percent <strong>of</strong> its total<br />
funds on <strong>the</strong> co-ordination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project,<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
15
which translates roughly to USD 9.75/assessment.<br />
Funds were applied to employ<br />
a full-time co-ordinator and part-time<br />
assistants, cover <strong>the</strong> co-ordinator’s travel<br />
and accommodation expenses,<br />
and meet running expenses <strong>of</strong><br />
general <strong>of</strong>fice administration.<br />
This investment towards efficient<br />
co-ordination and networking<br />
ensured collaboration with <strong>the</strong><br />
right people from <strong>the</strong> start and<br />
<strong>the</strong> delivery <strong>of</strong> satisfactory products at<br />
<strong>the</strong> end.<br />
SABONET developed a distinct co-ordination<br />
model to become effective in delivering<br />
<strong>the</strong> products. It adopted a devolved<br />
structure, collaborators had a sense <strong>of</strong><br />
ownership, <strong>the</strong>re was power to change<br />
<strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project through assessments<br />
via <strong>the</strong> workshop processes, and<br />
people had access to training, thus making<br />
<strong>the</strong> process mutually beneficial. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,<br />
it was pivotal in ensuring that SA-<br />
BONET received international recognition<br />
for its contribution to plant conservation<br />
through <strong>the</strong> Red List project.<br />
The role <strong>of</strong> volunteers<br />
Data collection and building a network <strong>of</strong><br />
volunteers was probably <strong>the</strong> most cost-effective<br />
exercise <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project (20 percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> allocated funds). A lot <strong>of</strong> information<br />
was already available and all management<br />
had to do was find <strong>the</strong> sources and<br />
add to it where necessary. If <strong>the</strong> project<br />
had been conducted outside <strong>the</strong> botanical<br />
community, <strong>the</strong>n we might not have<br />
known how to access and build on existing<br />
information.<br />
Unlike so many donor-funded projects that<br />
have to pay for information, SABONET<br />
obtained most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> data by involving<br />
experts from <strong>the</strong> region that were willing<br />
to share <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge to ensure that a<br />
useful product could be made available<br />
for sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa. This voluntary involvement<br />
and passion for <strong>the</strong> local flora<br />
allowed for more funds to be channelled<br />
towards <strong>the</strong> training and data dissemination<br />
processes.<br />
Therefore, funds were used to cover <strong>the</strong><br />
accommodation and travel expenses <strong>of</strong> 236<br />
delegates from 128 institutions to attend<br />
15 training, technical and implementation<br />
workshops. Consultation was broad-based<br />
and involved a wide spectrum <strong>of</strong> expertise<br />
(Table 2). Workshops brought toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
regional experts to equip <strong>the</strong>m with necessary<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> IUCN assessment<br />
process, to run sessions during which a<br />
category <strong>of</strong> threat was assigned to plants<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> region and to reach consensus on<br />
<strong>the</strong>se assessments.<br />
Field observations, ecological aspects,<br />
threats and taxonomic information were<br />
taken into consideration to make wellfounded<br />
assessments. This voluntary<br />
“…with a functional network and sound project<br />
management in place, future Red List projects in<br />
Africa should be able to assess threatened species<br />
at about USD 17/taxon.”<br />
participatory approach yielded more<br />
robust, multi-dimensional assessments<br />
than previous accounts that generally<br />
relied exclusively on herbarium specimen<br />
information and taxonomists. At USD<br />
7.55/species for this exercise, it proved<br />
less expensive to determine what species<br />
in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa could possibly become<br />
extinct, than it did to set up and manage<br />
<strong>the</strong> programme.<br />
Workshops for stakeholders<br />
Stakeholders that use Red Data list information<br />
for on-<strong>the</strong>-ground conservation<br />
constituted nearly two thirds (63 percent)<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workshop participants. They formed<br />
an integral part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> process and were<br />
actively involved in tailor-making a product<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir own purposes and needs.<br />
Interestingly, 71 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> workshop<br />
participants were male. Approximately<br />
60 percent <strong>of</strong> participants were <strong>African</strong><br />
and 40 percent were resident Europeans.<br />
This is ascribed to <strong>the</strong> historical legacy<br />
that white men have traditionally been<br />
<strong>the</strong> holders <strong>of</strong> botanical knowledge in<br />
sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa.<br />
Considering <strong>the</strong> small amount spent on<br />
obtaining information about <strong>the</strong> status<br />
<strong>of</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> plant species <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa,<br />
<strong>the</strong> costs involved in preparing and<br />
making <strong>the</strong> information available to civil<br />
society came as a revelation. USD 84,000,<br />
or 54 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> allocated funds, were<br />
spent on this process. The preparation<br />
Boophane disticha. (Photo: SABONET)<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> publication involved <strong>the</strong> skills <strong>of</strong><br />
consultants to edit <strong>the</strong> text, design <strong>the</strong><br />
page layout and develop <strong>the</strong> database.<br />
Production comprised <strong>the</strong> printing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
book and burning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> compact<br />
disc. The list and database were<br />
distributed free <strong>of</strong> charge to all<br />
interested parties.<br />
The cost <strong>of</strong> making <strong>the</strong> information<br />
available to <strong>the</strong> public adds<br />
up to USD 21.55/species, which is more<br />
than twice as much as it cost to produce<br />
<strong>the</strong> information. This illustrates that a well<br />
co-ordinated data acquisition process<br />
is cheaper than disseminating it to <strong>the</strong><br />
stakeholders, which involves <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />
specialist services from outside <strong>the</strong> botanical<br />
fraternity.<br />
Red Lists are a first step<br />
Therefore, it can be safely said that with<br />
a functional network and sound project<br />
management in place, future Red List<br />
projects in Africa should be able to assess<br />
threatened species at about USD 17/taxon<br />
(excluding <strong>the</strong> dissemination <strong>of</strong> information).<br />
This is a worthwhile investment<br />
considering <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> information<br />
made available through this process and<br />
its potential for providing baseline data for<br />
future research that could possibly save a<br />
species from extinction (Golding & Hurter<br />
2003). However, a Red List in itself is not<br />
<strong>the</strong> answer to conservation problems and<br />
is merely <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> many steps to alleviate<br />
<strong>the</strong>se (Golding & Siebert 2002). Many<br />
countries are mainstreaming Red Data<br />
List concepts into relevant policies and<br />
legislation in order to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> case<br />
for decision-making concerning sustainable<br />
development and conservation. The<br />
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation<br />
(Bramwell et al. 2002) presents one such<br />
vehicle.<br />
The approach Down Under<br />
In recent years, <strong>the</strong> Australian Government<br />
paid USD 7.8 m towards a national<br />
endangered species programme (Source:<br />
http://www.budget.gov.au/1999-00/ministerial/ch4/ch4-THREATEN.html).<br />
This<br />
provided core resources for <strong>the</strong> conservation<br />
<strong>of</strong> nationally threatened species<br />
and endangered ecological communities,<br />
primarily through recovery and threat<br />
abatement plans. The programmes focus<br />
on threatening processes and involve<br />
civil society through community education<br />
and co-operative research. This is a<br />
process that could be followed in sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Africa and in o<strong>the</strong>r parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> continent,<br />
but would require a lot <strong>of</strong> effort because<br />
socially and politically, <strong>the</strong> trade-<strong>of</strong>fs that<br />
would be required are too high.<br />
16 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Over <strong>the</strong> past two years, SABONET<br />
has taken steps to improve and expand<br />
conservation activities on <strong>the</strong> ground.<br />
SABONET has initiated an activity to address<br />
problems regarding <strong>the</strong> cultivation<br />
<strong>of</strong> threatened species ex situ, and provided<br />
participating botanical gardens with USD<br />
3 000 each to initiate Threatened Plants<br />
Programmes and USD 1 500 each for<br />
internships to visit centres <strong>of</strong> expertise<br />
(Siebert 2003). However, <strong>the</strong>se are running<br />
expenses for an 18-month period only.<br />
It is hoped that this will trigger fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
funding, which raises <strong>the</strong> question: what<br />
are <strong>the</strong> resources required, such as longterm<br />
financial investment and stakeholder<br />
consultation, to conserve a threatened<br />
species by achieving sustainable conservation<br />
impact on <strong>the</strong> ground? The extent<br />
<strong>of</strong> resources required for conservation<br />
impact are difficult to estimate; hopefully<br />
successful projects in this field could provide<br />
useful guidelines.<br />
Observations about human<br />
nature<br />
❚ The age-old adage that limited funds<br />
promote resourcefulness was proven<br />
true again. A small budget forced project<br />
management to be critical <strong>of</strong> unnecessary<br />
activities and to focus resources on high<br />
priorities.<br />
❚ A proverb proved true, namely ‘<strong>the</strong> less<br />
time you have, <strong>the</strong> more you do’. Workshops<br />
were organised throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
region over one year, and approximately<br />
2,000 first assessments were completed<br />
relatively quickly.<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
❚ By forming part <strong>of</strong> a bigger network,<br />
namely SABONET, <strong>the</strong> Red List project<br />
was propelled into a situation where competent<br />
people were already known. This<br />
allowed management to select <strong>the</strong> right<br />
people for <strong>the</strong> job.<br />
❚ It is always assumed that if you don’t<br />
pay, you won’t get <strong>the</strong> best. SABONET has<br />
shown that in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa experts have<br />
no problem doing voluntary work and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are passionate about and committed to <strong>the</strong><br />
objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project.<br />
❚ At an early stage regional and national<br />
workshops proved extremely useful in enabling<br />
people to contribute from <strong>the</strong> start.<br />
This saved much time and contributors<br />
felt that <strong>the</strong>y received something from <strong>the</strong><br />
project in exchange for <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge.<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
Janice Golding (Environmental Change Institute,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Oxford) is acknowledged for commenting<br />
on <strong>the</strong> manuscript and Ulf Gardenfors<br />
(ArtDataBanken, Sweden) for information provided.<br />
Elsabe Malan (SABONET Regional Office,<br />
Pretoria) kindly provided <strong>the</strong> financial figures used<br />
for this article. IUCN-ROSA funded <strong>the</strong> SABONET<br />
Red Data Lists through <strong>the</strong>ir NETCAB Programme.<br />
GEF/UNDP provided co-funding.<br />
BRAMWELL, D., RAVEN, P. & SYNGE,<br />
H. 2002. Implementing <strong>the</strong> Global<br />
Strategy for Plant Conservation. Plant<br />
Talk 30: 32–36.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. 2000. Picking up <strong>the</strong> pieces:<br />
Red Data Lists in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa.<br />
Bothalia 30: 213–214.<br />
Table 1 Breakdown <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> assessing threatened species in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa<br />
Description Activities Cost (USD)<br />
1. Project co-ordination Country visits, running expenses, salaries 40,000<br />
2. Data collection National workshops, technical meetings 31,000<br />
3. Information dissemination (see below)<br />
3.1 Publication - preparation Database, graphic design, editing 10,000<br />
3.2 Publication - production Book (3,500 copies), CD (1,000 copies) 52,000<br />
3.3 Publication - distribution Postage, stationery, courier 22,000<br />
Total expenses 155,000<br />
Table 2 Expertise involved in assessing threatened species in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa<br />
Grouping by discipline/pr<strong>of</strong>ession % No<br />
Conservation research 18 43<br />
Conservation management 14 33<br />
Field botany (e.g. consultants, amateurs) 31 73<br />
= Users <strong>of</strong> Red Data lists 63 149<br />
Taxonomy (affiliated to herbaria) 27 63<br />
Horticulture 5 12<br />
Genetics 5 12<br />
= Producers <strong>of</strong> Red Data lists 37 87<br />
100 236<br />
GOLDING, J.S. 2001a. Compiling <strong>the</strong><br />
SABONET Red Data List. SABONET<br />
News 6: 162–168.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. 2001b. Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
herbaria and Red Data Lists. Taxon<br />
50: 12–21.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. 2002. Sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
Plant Red Data Lists. Report Series 14.<br />
SABONET, Pretoria.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. & HURTER, P.J.H. 2003.<br />
A Red List account <strong>of</strong> Africa’s cycads<br />
and implications <strong>of</strong> considering lifehistory<br />
and threats. Biodiversity and<br />
Conservation 12: 507–528.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. & SIEBERT, S.J. 2002.<br />
Threatened plants <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa.<br />
Plant Talk 30: 40–41.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. & SMITH, P.P. 2001. A 13-<br />
point flora strategy to meet conservation<br />
challenges. Taxon 50: 1–4.<br />
GOLDING, J.S. & TIMBERLAKE, J. 2003.<br />
How taxonomists can bridge <strong>the</strong> gap<br />
between taxonomy and conservation<br />
science. Conservation Biology 17:<br />
1177–1178.<br />
GROOMBRIDGE, B. & JENKINS, M.D.<br />
2002. World atlas <strong>of</strong> biodiversity:<br />
Earth’s living resources in <strong>the</strong> 21 st<br />
century. University <strong>of</strong> California Press,<br />
Berkeley.<br />
HUNTLEY, B.J. (ed) 1998. Inventory,<br />
evaluation and monitoring <strong>of</strong> botanical<br />
diversity in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa: a regional<br />
capacity and institution building network<br />
(SABONET). Report Series 4. SABONET,<br />
Pretoria.<br />
IZIDINE, S.A., NHANTUMBO, I. &<br />
GOLDING, J.S. 2004. Integration <strong>of</strong><br />
Red Data List concepts into <strong>the</strong> policy<br />
framework in Mozambique. Report<br />
Series 23. SABONET, Pretoria.<br />
PITMAN, N.C.A. & JORGENSON, P.M.<br />
2002. Estimating <strong>the</strong> size <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />
threatened flora. Science 298: 989.<br />
SIEBERT, S.J. 2003. Progress report: enduser<br />
workshops, threatened plants<br />
programme and internships. SABONET<br />
News 8: 26–30.<br />
SIEBERT, S.J. & MÖSSMER, M. (eds.)<br />
2003. Letters to <strong>the</strong> editor. SABONET<br />
News 8(1). SABONET, Pretoria.<br />
SIEBERT, S.J. & SMITH, G.F. 2004. Lessons<br />
learned from <strong>the</strong> SABONET Project<br />
while building capacity to document <strong>the</strong><br />
botanical diversity <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa.<br />
Taxon 53: 119–126.<br />
SMITH, G.F., STEENKAMP, Y., KLOPPER,<br />
R.R., SIEBERT, S.J. & ARNOLD, T.H.<br />
2003. The price <strong>of</strong> collecting life:<br />
overcoming <strong>the</strong> challenges involved in<br />
computerising herbarium specimens.<br />
Nature 422: 375–376.<br />
—Stefan J. Siebert<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Botany<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Zululand<br />
Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886<br />
E-mail: ssiebert@pan.uzulu.ac.za<br />
17
Cyperaceae in Namibia<br />
A. 1. Annotated checklist; 2. Cyperaceae types; 3. List <strong>of</strong> common names<br />
B. 1. Uses and Ethnobotanical references<br />
A.1. Annotated checklist<br />
Explanatory notes<br />
• This list is a consolidation <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), Kolberg et al. (1992), Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a, 1999b) and Archer<br />
(2003) and includes previously unpublished information.<br />
• Podlech (1967) and Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) may be consulted for identification guides and distribution notes (bearing<br />
in mind that some non-Namibian species are included).<br />
• All names including synonyms are arranged alphabetically. Valid names are indicated in bold, followed on successive indented<br />
lines by synonyms applicable to Namibia; <strong>the</strong>se are given in paren<strong>the</strong>ses. Synonyms are italicised and followed by <strong>the</strong> valid<br />
name in bold. Synonyms given by Podlech (1967) are repeated unless problematic. Author corrections <strong>of</strong> previous publications<br />
are not commented on.<br />
• Species previously recorded incorrectly for Namibia, uncertain records and notes are in smaller font.<br />
• Specimen citations are provided for species added since Podlech (1967) and those seen by Archer are annotated with a ! following<br />
<strong>the</strong> herbarium acronym. (PRE is <strong>the</strong> acronym for <strong>the</strong> National Herbarium, National <strong>Botanical</strong> Institute, Pretoria.)<br />
• Symbols: An asterisk (*) following <strong>the</strong> name denotes an introduced taxon. Uncertain synonymy is denoted by a ? (usually<br />
because types have not yet been seen by Archer). C refers to notes on common names given in Section A.3. U refers to notes<br />
on uses given in Section B.1.<br />
Abildgaardia Vahl 0471<br />
A. triflora (L.) Abeyw.<br />
(= Cyperus triflorus L.)<br />
(= Fimbristylis triflora (L.) K.Schum.)<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
Alinula J.Raynal 0459<br />
A. paradoxa (Cherm.) Goetgh. & Vorster<br />
(= Lipocarpha paradoxa Cherm.)<br />
(= Mariscus paradoxus (Cherm.) Cherm.)<br />
Ascolepis Steud. 0454<br />
A. pusilla Ridl. var. pusilla<br />
Bolboschoenus (Asch.) Palla 0468<br />
B. glaucus (Lam.) S.G.Sm.<br />
(= Scirpus maritimus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> L.)<br />
B. maritimus (L.) Palla : Karas Region, Ward 12289 (PRE!),<br />
12299 (PRE!)<br />
(= Scirpus maritimus L.)<br />
B. nobilis (Ridl.) Goetgh. & D.A.Simpson<br />
(= Scirpus laeteflorens C.B.Clarke)<br />
Bulbostylis Kunth 0471<br />
B. breviculmis Kunth = B. humilis<br />
B. burchellii (Ficalho & Hiern) C.B.Clarke : Aus, Marloth<br />
1106 (PRE!)<br />
B. contexta (Nees) M.Bodard<br />
(= B. kirkii C.B.Clarke)<br />
B. densa in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Wall.) Hand.-<br />
Mazz. = B. pusilla<br />
B. filamentosa (Vahl) C.B.Clarke : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) is erroneous<br />
B. hispidula (Vahl) R.W.Haines subsp. pyriformis<br />
(Lye) R.W.Haines C, U<br />
(= Fimbristylis exilis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Kunth) Roem.<br />
& Schult.)<br />
(= Fimbristylis hispidula in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Vahl) Kunth)<br />
(= Isolepis exilis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth)<br />
(= Scirpus granulato-hirtellus Boeck.)<br />
(= Scirpus hispidulus in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Vahl)<br />
B. humilis (Kunth) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= B. breviculmis Kunth)<br />
Bulbostylis<br />
trabeculata<br />
Ascolepis pusilla var. pusilla<br />
18 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
B. kirkii C.B.Clarke = B. contexta<br />
B. megastachys (Ridl.) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= B. schoenoides in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Kunth)<br />
B. mucronata C.B.Clarke<br />
B. pusilla (A.Rich.) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= B. densa in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Wall.) Hand.-<br />
Mazz.)<br />
B. schoenoides in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong><br />
Kunth = B. megastachys<br />
B. trabeculata C.B.Clarke<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
Carex L. 0525<br />
C. cognata Kunth : Waterberg, Dinter 1770 (SAM!)<br />
C. pubescens Poir. = Fuirena pubescens<br />
Cladium P.Browne 0489<br />
C. jamaicense Crantz = C. mariscus subsp. jamaicense<br />
C. mariscus (L.) Pohl subsp. jamaicense (Crantz) Kük.<br />
(= C. jamaicense Crantz)<br />
Courtoisia Nees 0461<br />
C. assimilis (Steud.) C.B.Clarke = Courtoisina assimilis<br />
C. cyperoides (Roxb.) Nees = Courtoisina cyperoides<br />
Courtoisina Soják 0461<br />
C. assimilis (Steud.) Maquet<br />
(= Courtoisia assimilis (Steud.) C.B.Clarke)<br />
(= Cyperus assimilis Steud.)<br />
(= Mariscus assimilis (Steud.) Podlech)<br />
C. cyperoides (Roxb.) Soják<br />
(= Courtoisia cyperoides (Roxb.) Nees)<br />
(= Cyperus pseudokyllingioides Kük.)<br />
(= Cyperus pseudokyllingioides Kük. var. africanus Kük.)<br />
(= Mariscus cyperoides (Roxb.) A.Dietr.)<br />
(= Mariscus cyperoides (Roxb.) A.Dietr. subsp. africanus<br />
(Kük.) Podlech)<br />
Courtoisina assimilis<br />
Cyperus L. 0459<br />
C. alopecuroides Rottb. [syn. Juncellus alopecuroides]<br />
: doubtfully occurring in Namibia; Dinter 7186<br />
should be checked<br />
C. amabilis Vahl<br />
(= C. amabilis Vahl var. subacaulis Kük.)<br />
C. amabilis Vahl var. subacaulis Kük. = C. amabilis<br />
C. aristatus Rottb., illegitimate name = C. squarrosus<br />
C. aristatus Rottb., illegitimate name var. atriceps Kük. =<br />
Mariscus aristatus var. atriceps : requiring a new<br />
combination in Cyperus<br />
C. articulatus L.<br />
C. assimilis Steud. = Courtoisina assimilis<br />
C. aureus Ten. = C. esculentus var. esculentus<br />
C. auricomus Sieber ex Spreng. = C. digitatus subsp. auricomus<br />
C. bellus Kunth<br />
(= C. bellus Kunth forma auratus Kük.)<br />
(= C. remotiflorus Kük.)<br />
(=? C. remotiflorus Kük. var. schweickerdtii Merxm.)<br />
C. bellus Kunth forma auratus Kük. = C. bellus<br />
C. betschuanus Boeck. = Pycreus betschuanus<br />
C. blandus Kunth = C. marginatus<br />
C. bullatus Kük. = C. chersinus<br />
C. castaneus Willd. : does not occur in Africa; name misapplied<br />
by authors<br />
C. chersinus (N.E.Br.) Kük. C<br />
(= C. bullatus Kük.)<br />
(= Mariscus bullatus (Kük.) Podlech)<br />
(= Mariscus chersinus N.E.Br.)<br />
Fimbristylis microcarya<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
19
Cyperus sphaerospermus<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
C. chrysanthus Boeck. = Pycreus chrysanthus<br />
C. chrysanthus Boeck. var. occidentalis Kük. = Pycreus<br />
chrysanthus<br />
C. compressus L.<br />
C. congestus Vahl C<br />
(= C. congestus Vahl var. grandiceps Kük.)<br />
(= C. congestus Vahl var. pseudonatalensis Kük.)<br />
(= Mariscus congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke)<br />
(= Mariscus congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke var. grandiceps<br />
(Kük.) Podlech)<br />
(= Mariscus congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke var. pseudonatalensis<br />
(Kük.) Podlech)<br />
C. congestus Vahl var. grandiceps Kük. = C. congestus<br />
C. congestus Vahl var. pseudonatalensis Kük. = C. congestus<br />
C. corymbosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Rottb.<br />
[syn. C. corymbosus var. damarensis Kük.] : uncertain<br />
species; Peter 47028, Walter 128 should be<br />
checked<br />
C. corymbosus Rottb. var. damarensis Kük. [syn. <strong>of</strong> C.<br />
corymbosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967)] : uncertain<br />
taxon; Peter 47028, Walter 128 should be checked<br />
C. cristatus (Kunth) Mattf. & Kük. = Kyllinga alba<br />
C. cuspidatus Kunth<br />
(= C. uncinatus in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke, not <strong>of</strong> Poir.)<br />
C. cyperoides (L.) Kuntze subsp. cyperoides [syn. Mariscus<br />
sieberianus] : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
De Winter & Wiss 4365 (PRE!) was identified by<br />
Vorster as Mariscus breviradius but <strong>the</strong> name was<br />
never published<br />
C. cyperoides (L.) Kuntze subsp. flavus Lye<br />
(= Mariscus cylindristachyus Steud.)<br />
(= Mariscus umbellatus in sense Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong><br />
(Rottb.) Vahl)<br />
C. deciduus Boeck. : De Winter & Marais 5047 (PRE!)<br />
(= Mariscus deciduus (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. denudatus L.f. var. denudatus<br />
(= C. platycaulis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Baker)<br />
C. denudatus L.f. var. lucenti-nigricans (K.Schum.) Kük.<br />
[syn. C. platycaulis Baker] : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
see C. denudatus var. denudatus<br />
C. difformis L.<br />
(= C. difformis var. subdecompositus Kük.)<br />
C. difformis var. subdecompositus Kük. = C. difformis<br />
C. digitatus Roxb. subsp. auricomus (Spreng.) Kük. U<br />
(= C. auricomus Sieber ex Spreng.)<br />
C. dives Delile : Schlettwein 23 (PRE!)<br />
(= C. immensus C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. dubius Rottb.<br />
(= Mariscus dubius (Rottb.) C.E.C.Fischer)<br />
C. erectus (Schumach.) Mattf. & Kük. var. intricatus<br />
(Cherm.) Kük. = Kyllinga erecta var. erecta<br />
C. esculentus L. var. esculentus C, U<br />
(= C. aureus Ten.)<br />
C. fastigiatus Rottb. : does not occur in Namibia; Clarke<br />
& Mannheimer (1999a) cited Barnard 112 (SAM)<br />
which should be checked<br />
C. flavescens L. = Pycreus flavescens<br />
C. foliaceus C.B.Clarke : does not occur in Namibia; Dinter<br />
7599 (PRE!), Giess, Volk & Bleissner 6474 (PRE!)<br />
cited by Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a, 1999b) are<br />
both C. tenuispica<br />
C. fulgens C.B.Clarke var. contractus Kük. : Podlech (1967)<br />
included in C. fulgens but is a separate taxon<br />
C. fulgens C.B.Clarke var. fulgens C, U<br />
C. globosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> All. = Pycreus<br />
betschuanus<br />
C. hamulosus M.Bieb.<br />
(= Mariscus hamulosus (M.Bieb.) S.S.Hooper)<br />
(= Scirpus lugardii C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. haspan L. : does not occur in Namibia; specimens cited<br />
by Podlech (1967) are C. denudatus var. denudatus<br />
and C. sphaerospermus<br />
C. holostigma Schweinf. = C. schinzii<br />
C. imbricatus Retz. C, U<br />
C. immensus C.B.Clarke = C. dives<br />
C. indecorus Kunth var. decurvatus (C.B.Clarke) Kük.<br />
(= C. indecorus Kunth var. dinteri Kük.)<br />
(= Mariscus albomarginatus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong><br />
C.B.Clarke)<br />
(= Mariscus indecorus (Kunth) Podlech var. dinteri (Kük.)<br />
Podlech)<br />
(= Mariscus rehmannianus C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. indecorus Kunth var. dinteri Kük. = C. indecorus var.<br />
decurvatus<br />
20 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
C. indecorus Kunth var. namaquensis Kük.<br />
(= Mariscus capensis in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong><br />
(Steud.) Schrad.)<br />
(= Mariscus indecorus (Kunth) Podlech var. namaquensis<br />
(Kük.) Podlech)<br />
C. iria L.<br />
C. laevigatus L. C<br />
(= C. laevigatus L. var. subaphyllus (Boeck.) Kük.)<br />
(= C. subaphyllus Boeck.)<br />
(= Juncellus laevigatus (L.) C.B.Clarke)<br />
(= Juncellus laevigatus (L.) C.B.Clarke var. subaphyllus<br />
(Boeck.) Podlech)<br />
C. laevigatus L. var. subaphyllus (Boeck.) Kük. = C. laevigatus<br />
C. longus L. var. longus : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) is erroneous<br />
C. longus L. var. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Boeck. C, U<br />
(= C. longus L. subsp. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Kük.)<br />
(= C. longus L. subsp. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Kük. var. discolor<br />
Kük.)<br />
(= C. tenuiflorus Rottb.)<br />
C. longus L. subsp. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Kük. = C. longus<br />
var. tenuiflorus<br />
C. longus L. subsp. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Kük. var. discolor<br />
Kük. = C. longus var. tenuiflorus<br />
C. maculatus Boeck. : Rundu, Coetzer & Van Greuning<br />
196 (PRE!)<br />
C. margaritaceus Vahl var. margaritaceus C, U<br />
(=? C. pseudomarginatus Dinter)<br />
(= C. pseudoniveus Boeck.)<br />
(= C. margaritaceus Vahl var. pseudoniveus (Boeck.)<br />
C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. margaritaceus Vahl var. pseudoniveus (Boeck.)<br />
C.B.Clarke = C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus<br />
C. marginatus Thunb. C<br />
(= C. blandus Kunth)<br />
(= C. marginatus Thunb. var. blandus (Kunth) Kük.)<br />
C. marginatus Thunb. var. blandus (Kunth) Kük. = C.<br />
marginatus<br />
C. marlothii Boeck.<br />
(= Mariscus marlothii (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. nudicaulis Poir. = C. pectinatus<br />
C. papyrus L. C, U<br />
(= C. papyrus L. subsp. zairensis (Chiov.) Kük.)<br />
(= C. zairensis Chiov.)<br />
C. papyrus L. subsp. zairensis (Chiov.) Kük. = C. papyrus<br />
C. patens Vahl = Pycreus pumilus<br />
C. pectinatus Vahl C<br />
(= C. nudicaulis Poir.)<br />
C. pelophilus Ridl. = Pycreus pelophilus<br />
C. platycaulis Baker [syn. <strong>of</strong> C. denudatus var. lucentinigricans]<br />
: does not occur in Namibia; see C.<br />
denudatus var. denudatus<br />
C. platycaulis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Baker = C. denudatus<br />
var. denudatus<br />
C. polystachyos Rottb. = Pycreus polystachyos var. polystachyos<br />
C. procerus Rottb.<br />
C. pseudokyllingioides Kük. = Courtoisina cyperoides<br />
C. pseudokyllingioides Kük. var. africanus Kük. = Courtoisina<br />
cyperoides<br />
C. pseudomarginatus Dinter =? C. margaritaceus var.<br />
margaritaceus<br />
C. pseudoniveus Boeck. = C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus<br />
C. pseudovestitus (C.B.Clarke) Kük. : Western Caprivi,<br />
Tinley 1514 (PRE!)<br />
(= Mariscus pseudovestitus C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. purpureus Boeck. = C. schinzii<br />
C. rehmii Merxm. : insufficiently known species<br />
C. remotiflorus Kük. var. schweickerdtii Merxm. =? C. bellus<br />
C. remotiflorus Kük. = C. bellus<br />
C. rotundus L. subsp. rotundus C<br />
C. rubicundus Vahl<br />
(= C. teneriffae Poir.)<br />
(= C. teneriffae Poir. var. succulentus Dinter ex Kük.)<br />
C. rupestris Kunth var. rupestris : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Ellis 1058 (PRE!) cited by Clarke & Mannheimer<br />
(1999a) is not this species<br />
C. schinzii Boeck.<br />
(= C. holostigma Schweinf.)<br />
(= C. purpureus Boeck.)<br />
C. sphaerospermus Schrad. C, U<br />
C. squarrosus L.<br />
(= C. aristatus Rottb., illegitimate name)<br />
(= Mariscus aristatus (Rottb.) Cherm. var. aristatus)<br />
(= Mariscus squarrosus (L.) C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. subaphyllus Boeck. = C. laevigatus<br />
C. submacropus Kük.<br />
(= Mariscus macropus C.B.Clarke)<br />
C. tenax Boeck.<br />
C. tenuiflorus Rottb. = C. longus var. tenuiflorus<br />
C. tenuispica Steud.<br />
C. teneriffae Poir. = C. rubicundus<br />
C. teneriffae Poir. var. succulentus Dinter ex Kük. = C.<br />
rubicundus<br />
C. triflorus L. = Abildgaardia triflora<br />
C. turrillii Kük. C<br />
(= Mariscus laxiflorus Turrill)<br />
C. uncinatus in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke, not <strong>of</strong> Poir. = C. cuspidatus<br />
C. usitatus Burch. C, U<br />
(= C. usitatus Burch. var. macrobulbus Kük.)<br />
C. usitatus Burch. var. macrobulbus Kük. = C. usitatus<br />
C. zairensis Chiov. = C. papyrus<br />
Eleocharis R.Br. 0469<br />
E. acutangula (Roxb.) Schult. : Ondangua, De Winter &<br />
Giess 6979 (PRE!)<br />
E. atropurpurea (Retz.) J.Presl. & C.Presl<br />
(= Scirpus atropurpureus Retz.)<br />
E. capitata R.Br. = E. geniculata<br />
E. cubangensis H.E.Hess : uncertain species; Volk s.n. should<br />
be checked<br />
E. geniculata (L.) Roem. & Schult.<br />
(= E. capitata R.Br.)<br />
(= Scirpus geniculatus L. in part)<br />
E. limosa (Schrad.) Schult.<br />
(= Scirpus limosus Schrad.)<br />
E. onthitensis H.E.Hess : insufficiently known species<br />
E. palustris R.Br. : does not occur in Namibia; Clarke &<br />
Mannheimer (1999a) is erroneous<br />
E. pseud<strong>of</strong>istulosa H.E.Hess : insufficiently known species;<br />
De Winter & Giess 6979 (PRE!) is E. acutangula<br />
E. schlechteri C.B.Clarke<br />
(= E. seydeliana Podlech)<br />
E. seydeliana Podlech = E. schlechteri<br />
E. variegata (Poir.) C.Presl : Eastern Caprivi, Killick & Leistner<br />
3231 (PRE!)<br />
(= Scirpus variegatus Poir.)<br />
E. welwitschii Nelmes : doubtfully occurring in Namibia<br />
Ficinia Schrad. 0465<br />
F. bracteata Boeck. = F. nigrescens<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
21
F. nigrescens (Schrad.) J.Raynal<br />
(= F. bracteata Boeck.)<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
Fimbristylis Vahl 0471<br />
F. bisumbellata (Forssk.) Bubani<br />
(= F. dichotoma in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke, not <strong>of</strong> (L.) Vahl)<br />
(= Scirpus bisumbellatus Forssk.)<br />
F. complanata (Retz.) Link<br />
(= Scirpus complanatus Retz.)<br />
F. dichotoma (L.) Vahl<br />
(= F. diphylla (Retz.) Vahl)<br />
(= Scirpus dichotomus L.)<br />
(= Scirpus diphyllus Retz.)<br />
F. dichotoma in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke (1902), not <strong>of</strong> (L.) Vahl<br />
= F. bisumbellata<br />
F. exilis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Kunth) Roem. & Schult.<br />
= Bulbostylis hispidula subsp. pyriformis<br />
F. ferruginea (L.) Vahl<br />
(= F. sieberana Kunth)<br />
(= Scirpus ferrugineus L.)<br />
F. hispidula in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Vahl) Kunth = Bulbostylis<br />
hispidula subsp. pyriformis<br />
F. microcarya F.Muell. : Grootfontein, Schweickerdt 2173<br />
(PRE!)<br />
F. sieberana Kunth = F. ferruginea<br />
F. squarrosa Vahl<br />
F. triflora (L.) K.Schum. = Abildgaardia triflora<br />
Fuirena Rottb. 0467<br />
F. angolensis (C.B.Clarke) Lye : Ondangwa, Smook 7609<br />
(PRE!); Podlech (1967) included in F. ciliaris but is a<br />
separate species<br />
F. bullifera J.Raynal & Roessler : Olukonda, Rautanen s.n.<br />
(H, Z)<br />
F. chlorocarpa Ridl. = F. stricta<br />
F. ciliaris (L.) Roxb. : Schweickerdt 2174 (PRE!) is F. leptostachya<br />
forma leptostachya<br />
(= F. glomerata in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Lam.)<br />
(= Scirpus ciliaris L.)<br />
F. coerulescens Steud.<br />
(= F. reticulata Kük.)<br />
F. glomerata in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Lam. = F. ciliaris<br />
F. leptostachya Oliv. forma leptostachya : Schweickerdt<br />
2174 (PRE!) is this taxon, not F. ciliaris as cited by<br />
Podlech (1967)<br />
F. microlepis in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth = F.<br />
obcordata<br />
F. obcordata P.L.Forbes : Eastern Caprivi, Killick & Leistner<br />
3221 (PRE!)<br />
(= F. microlepis in sense <strong>of</strong> C.B.Clarke, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth)<br />
F. pachyrrhiza Ridl. : doubtfully occurring in Namibia; Volk<br />
2234 should be checked<br />
F. pubescens (Poir.) Kunth<br />
(= Carex pubescens Poir.)<br />
F. reticulata Kük. = F. coerulescens<br />
F. stricta Steud.<br />
(= F. chlorocarpa Ridl.)<br />
F. umbellata Rottb.<br />
Hemicarpha Nees & Arn. 0453<br />
H. isolepis Nees = Lipocarpha hemisphaerica<br />
H. micrantha (Vahl) Pax = Lipocarpha micrantha<br />
Isolepis R.Br. 0468<br />
I. brevicaulis (Levyns) J.Raynal : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Archer (2003) is erroneous; specimens previously<br />
identified as this in PRE represent a new species<br />
Fuirena obcordata<br />
I. cernua (Vahl) Roem. & Schult. var. cernua<br />
(= Scirpus cernuus Vahl)<br />
I. costata A. Rich.<br />
(= Scirpus macer Boeck.)<br />
I. diabolica (Steud.) Schrad. : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) is erroneous<br />
I. exilis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth = Bulbostylis<br />
hispidula subsp. pyriformis<br />
I. fluitans (L.) R.Br. var. fluitans : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) is erroneous<br />
I. hemiuncialis (C.B.Clarke) J.Raynal : Nordenstam 2826<br />
(PRE!)<br />
(= Scirpus aciformis B.Nord.)<br />
I. hystrix (Thunb.) Nees : does not occur in Namibia; specimens<br />
cited by Podlech (1967) as Scirpus hystrix are<br />
Lipocarpha rehmannii<br />
I. inclinata Barbey = Schoenoplectus corymbosus<br />
I. karroica (C.B.Clarke) J.Raynal : Nuob River, Giess<br />
13834, Giess & Müller 14311 (PRE!)<br />
(= Scirpus karroicus C.B.Clarke)<br />
I. roylei Nees = Schoenoplectus roylei<br />
I. setacea (L.) R.Br.<br />
(= I. sororia in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth)<br />
22 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
(= Scirpus setaceus L.)<br />
(= Scirpus sororius in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Kunth)<br />
C.B.Clarke)<br />
I. sororia in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Kunth = I. setacea<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
Juncellus C.B.Clarke 0459<br />
J. alopecuroides (Rottb.) C.B.Clarke [syn. <strong>of</strong> Cyperus<br />
alopecuroides] : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
Podlech (1967) cited Dinter 7185 as this species and<br />
C. imbricatus<br />
J. laevigatus (L.) C.B.Clarke = Cyperus laevigatus<br />
J. laevigatus (L.) C.B.Clarke var. subaphyllus (Boeck.)<br />
Podlech = Cyperus laevigatus<br />
Kyllinga Rottb. 0462<br />
K. alata Nees<br />
K. alba Nees C, U<br />
(= Cyperus cristatus (Kunth) Mattf. & Kük.)<br />
(= K. cristata Kunth)<br />
K. albiceps (Ridl.) Rendle<br />
(= K. merxmuelleri Podlech)<br />
K. cristata Kunth = K. alba<br />
K. erecta Schumach. var. erecta<br />
(= Cyperus erectus (Schumach.) Mattf. & Kük. var. intricatus<br />
(Cherm.) Kük.)<br />
(= K. intricata Cherm.)<br />
K. intricata Cherm. = K. erecta var. erecta<br />
K. merxmuelleri Podlech = K. albiceps<br />
K. microcephala Steud. = Kyllingiella microcephala<br />
K. pulchella Kunth : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
Dinter 2540 should be checked<br />
K. triceps in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Rottb. = K.<br />
welwitschii<br />
K. triceps Rottb. var. ciliata Boeck. = K. welwitschii<br />
K. welwitschii Ridl.<br />
(= K. triceps in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Rottb.)<br />
(= K. triceps Rottb. var. ciliata Boeck.)<br />
Kyllinga alba<br />
Kyllingiella R.W.Haines & Lye 0468<br />
K. microcephala (Steud.) R.W.Haines & Lye<br />
(= Kyllinga microcephala Steud.)<br />
(= Scirpus microcephalus (Steud.) Dandy)<br />
Lipocarpha R.Br. 0452<br />
L. chinensis (Osbeck) Kern : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Archer (2003) is erroneous<br />
L. hemisphaerica (Roth) Goetgh.<br />
(= Hemicarpha isolepis Nees)<br />
(= L. rautanenii Boeck.)<br />
L. micrantha (Vahl) G.C.Tucker<br />
(= Hemicarpha micrantha (Vahl) Pax)<br />
(= Scirpus micranthus Vahl)<br />
L. nana (A.Rich.) Cherm. : Otjiwarongo, Giess 15225<br />
(PRE!)<br />
(= Lipocarpha pulcherrima Ridl.)<br />
L. paradoxa Cherm. = Alinula paradoxa<br />
L. pulcherrima Ridl. = L. nana<br />
L. rautanenii Boeck. = L. hemisphaerica<br />
L. rehmannii (Ridl.) Goetgh. : Tsumeb, Dinter 7560 (PRE!);<br />
Rundu, Merxmüller & Giess 1940 (PRE!); Grootfontein,<br />
Schweickerdt 2082 (PRE!)<br />
(= Rikliella rehmannii (Ridl.) J.Raynal)<br />
(= Scirpus hystricoides B.Nord.)<br />
(= Scirpus hystrix in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Thunb.)<br />
Kyllingiella microcephala<br />
Mariscus Vahl 0459<br />
M. albomarginatus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong><br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
23
C.B.Clarke = Cyperus indecorus var. decurvatus<br />
M. aristatus (Rottb.) Cherm. var. aristatus = Cyperus squarrosus<br />
M. aristatus (Rottb.) Cherm. var. atriceps (Kük.) Podlech :<br />
requiring a new combination in Cyperus<br />
(= Cyperus aristatus Rottb., illegitimate name var. atriceps<br />
Kük.)<br />
M. assimilis (Steud.) Podlech = Courtoisina assimilis<br />
M. breviradius Vorster : unpublished name; see Cyperus<br />
cyperoides subsp. cyperoides<br />
M. bullatus (Kük.) Podlech = Cyperus chersinus<br />
M. capensis in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Steud.)<br />
Schrad. = Cyperus indecorus var. namaquensis<br />
M. chersinus N.E.Br. = Cyperus chersinus<br />
M. confusus Vorster : unpublished name; see Cyperus<br />
marlothii<br />
M. congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke = Cyperus congestus<br />
M. congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke var. grandiceps (Kük.)<br />
Podlech = Cyperus congestus<br />
M. congestus (Vahl) C.B.Clarke var. pseudonatalensis<br />
(Kük.) Podlech = Cyperus congestus<br />
M. cylindristachyus Steud. = Cyperus cyperoides subsp.<br />
flavus<br />
M. cyperoides (Roxb.) A.Dietr. = Courtoisina cyperoides<br />
M. cyperoides (Roxb.) A.Dietr. subsp. africanus (Kük.)<br />
Podlech = Courtoisina cyperoides<br />
M. deciduus (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke = Cyperus deciduus<br />
M. dregeanus Kunth : Masare, Vorster 2765 (PRE!); requiring<br />
a new combination in Cyperus<br />
M. dubius (Rottb.) C.E.C.Fisch. = Cyperus dubius<br />
M. fulgens (C.B.Clarke) Vorster, unpublished combination :<br />
see Cyperus fulgens<br />
M. hamulosus (M.Bieb.) S.S.Hooper = Cyperus hamulosus<br />
M. indecorus (Kunth) Podlech var. dinteri (Kük.) Podlech =<br />
Cyperus indecorus var. decurvatus<br />
M. indecorus (Kunth) Podlech var. namaquensis (Kük.)<br />
Podlech = Cyperus indecorus var. namaquensis<br />
M. laxiflorus Turrill = Cyperus turrillii<br />
M. macropus C.B.Clarke = Cyperus submacropus<br />
M. marlothii (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke = Cyperus marlothii<br />
M. namaquensis (Kük.) Vorster, unpublished combination :<br />
see Cyperus indecorus var. namaquensis<br />
M. paradoxus (Cherm.) Cherm. = Alinula paradoxa<br />
M. pseudovestitus C.B.Clarke = Cyperus pseudovestitus<br />
M. rehmannianus C.B.Clarke = Cyperus indecorus var.<br />
decurvatus<br />
M. sieberianus C.B.Clarke [syn. <strong>of</strong> Cyperus cyperoides<br />
subsp. cyperoides] : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
De Winter & Wiss 4365 (PRE!) was identified by<br />
Vorster as Mariscus breviradius but <strong>the</strong> name was<br />
never published<br />
M. squarrosus (L.) C.B.Clarke = Cyperus squarrosus<br />
M. umbellatus in sense Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Rottb.) Vahl<br />
= Cyperus cyperoides subsp. flavus<br />
M. usitatus (Burch.) Vorster, unpublished combination : see<br />
Cyperus usitatus<br />
M. usitatus (Burch.) Vorster var. macrobulbus (Kük.)<br />
Vorster, unpublished combinations : see Cyperus<br />
usitatus<br />
Monandrus Vorster, unpublished genus 0459<br />
M. atriceps (Kük.) Vorster, unpublished combination : see<br />
Mariscus aristatus var. atriceps<br />
M. hamulosus (M.Bieb.) Vorster, unpublished combination :<br />
see Cyperus hamulosus<br />
M. longicarpus Vorster, unpublished name<br />
M. squarrosus (L.) Vorster subsp. ovamboensis Vorster,<br />
unpublished combination and subspecies name : see<br />
Cyperus squarrosus<br />
M. squarrosus (L.) Vorster subsp. squarrosus, unpublished<br />
combination : see Cyperus squarrosus<br />
Oxycaryum Nees 0468<br />
O. cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Lye : Schuckmannsburg,<br />
Katima Mulilo, 24.vii.1996, Clarke s.n. (PRE!)<br />
Pseudolipocarpha Vorster, unpublished genus 0459<br />
P. paradoxa (Cherm.) Vorster, unpublished combination :<br />
see Alinula paradoxa<br />
Pseudoschoenus (C.B.Clarke) Oteng-Yeb. 0468<br />
P. inanis (Thunb.) Oteng-Yeb. : Hardap, Bloemh<strong>of</strong>f 1<br />
(PRE!), Karas Region, Ward 12481 (PRE!)<br />
Pycreus P.Beauv. 0459<br />
P. albomarginatus Nees = P. macrostachyos<br />
P. betschuanus (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= Cyperus betschuanus Boeck.)<br />
(=Cyperus globosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> All.)<br />
(= P. globosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (All.) Rchb.)<br />
P. chorisanthus C.B.Clarke = P. pelophilus<br />
P. chrysanthus (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= Cyperus chrysanthus Boeck.)<br />
(= Cyperus chrysanthus Boeck. var. occidentalis Kük.)<br />
P. ferrugineus C.B.Clarke [syn. <strong>of</strong> P. intactus] : does not<br />
occur in Namibia; Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a)<br />
cite Thorne SAM 3194, Barnard SAM 16595 which<br />
should be checked<br />
P. flavescens (L.) Rchb. C<br />
(= Cyperus flavescens L.)<br />
P. intactus (Vahl) J.Raynal [syn. P. ferrugineus] : does not<br />
occur in Namibia; Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a)<br />
cite Thorne SAM 3194, Barnard SAM 16595 which<br />
should be checked<br />
P. globosus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (All.) Rchb. =<br />
P. betschuanus<br />
P. macranthus (Boeck.) C.B.Clarke : doubtfully occurring in<br />
Namibia; Archer (2003) is probably erroneous<br />
P. macrostachyos (Lam.) J.Raynal<br />
(= P. albomarginatus Nees)<br />
P. mundii Nees : does not occur in Namibia; Clarke &<br />
Mannheimer (1999a) cite Burke 96285 which<br />
should be checked<br />
P. nitidus (Lam.) J.Raynal : Eastern Caprivi, Cawood &<br />
Ward 32 (PRE!), Oshikango, Rodin 23 (PRE!)<br />
P. okavangensis Podlech<br />
P. pelophilus (Ridl.) C.B.Clarke<br />
(= Cyperus pelophilus Ridl.)<br />
(= P. chorisanthus C.B.Clarke)<br />
P. polystachyos (Rottb.) P.Beauv. var. polystachyos<br />
(= Cyperus polystachyos Rottb.)<br />
P. pumilus (L.) Nees<br />
(= Cyperus patens Vahl)<br />
(= P. pumilus (L.) Nees subsp. patens (Vahl) Podlech)<br />
P. pumilus (L.) Nees subsp. patens (Vahl) Podlech = P.<br />
pumilus<br />
P. unioloides (R.Br.) Urb. : does not occur in Namibia; Dinter<br />
1745, Wulfhorst s.n. should be checked<br />
Rhynchospora Vahl 0492<br />
R. arechavaletae Boeck. = R. holoschoenoides<br />
R. aurea Vahl [syn. <strong>of</strong> R. corymbosa var. corymbosa] :<br />
occurrence in Namibia uncertain; Dinter s.n., 2643<br />
should be checked<br />
R. brownii Roem. & Schult. [syn. R. rugosa] : occurrence in<br />
Namibia uncertain; Dinter 1803 should be checked<br />
24 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
R. corymbosa (L.) Britton var. corymbosa [syn. R. aurea;<br />
Scirpus corymbosa] : occurrence in Namibia uncertain;<br />
Dinter s.n., 2643 should be checked<br />
R. cyperoides (Sw.) Mart. = R. holoschoenoides<br />
R. holoschoenoides (Rich.) Herter<br />
(= R. arechavaletae Boeck.)<br />
(= R. cyperoides (Sw.) Mart.)<br />
(= R. mauritii Steud.)<br />
R. mauritii Steud. = R. holoschoenoides<br />
R. rugosa (Vahl) Gale [syn. <strong>of</strong> R. brownii] : occurrence in<br />
Namibia uncertain; Dinter 1803 should be checked<br />
Rikliella J.Raynal 0454<br />
R. rehmannii (Ridl.) J.Raynal = Lipocarpha rehmannii<br />
Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla 0468<br />
S. articulatus (L.) Palla<br />
S. confusus (N.E.Br.) Lye subsp. confusus : doubtfully occurring<br />
in Namibia; Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a)<br />
cite Strohbach & Kubirske 11 which should be<br />
checked; De Winter 4453 (PRE!), 4454 (PRE!) were<br />
identified by Browning as cf. this taxon but uncertain<br />
due to lack <strong>of</strong> mature fruits<br />
S. corymbosus (Roem. & Schult.) J.Raynal C<br />
(= Isolepis inclinata Barbey)<br />
(= Scirpus inclinatus (Barbey) Boiss.)<br />
S. erectus (Poir.) J.Raynal<br />
(= Scirpus erectus Poir.)<br />
(=? Scirpus sinuatus Schuyler)<br />
S. lacustris in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (L.) Palla = S. tabernaemontani<br />
S. lateriflorus (J.F.Gmel.) Lye : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
revision <strong>of</strong> genus incomplete<br />
S. leucanthus (Boeck.) J.Raynal<br />
(= Scirpus leucanthus Boeck.)<br />
S. litoralis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Schrad.) Palla = S.<br />
scirpoideus<br />
S. muricinux (C.B.Clarke) J.Raynal<br />
(= Scirpus muricinux C.B.Clarke)<br />
S. paludicola (Kunth) J.Raynal : does not occur in Namibia;<br />
Clarke & Mannheimer (1999a) cite Barnard 124<br />
(SAM), 125 (SAM) which should be checked<br />
S. praelongatus (Poir.) J.Raynal = S. senegalensis<br />
S. roylei (Nees) Ovcz. & Czukav.<br />
(= Isolepis roylei Nees)<br />
(= Scirpus roylei (Nees) R.Parker)<br />
S. scirpoideus (Schrad.) Browning<br />
(= S. litoralis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (Schrad.) Palla)<br />
(= Scirpus litoralis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Schrad.)<br />
S. senegalensis (Steud.) J.Raynal<br />
(= S. praelongatus (Poir.) J.Raynal)<br />
(= Scirpus praelongatus Poir.)<br />
S. subulatus (Vahl) Lye : Sesfontein, De Winter & Leistner<br />
5864 (PRE!), Ai Ais, Acocks 15663 (PRE!)<br />
S. tabernaemontani (C.C.Gmel.) Palla * : Waterberg, Volk<br />
1453 (M)<br />
(= S. lacustris in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> (L.) Palla)<br />
(= Scirpus lacustris in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> L.)<br />
S. triqueter (L.) Palla * : does not occur in Namibia; Dinter<br />
2845, 3416 should be checked<br />
Scirpoides Ség. 0468<br />
S. dioecus (Kunth) Browning C, U<br />
(= Scirpus dioecus (Kunth) Boeck.)<br />
Scirpus L. 0468<br />
S. aciformis B.Nord. = Isolepis hemiuncialis<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
S. atropurpureus Retz. = Eleocharis atropurpurea<br />
S. bisumbellatus Forssk. = Fimbristylis bisumbellata<br />
S. cernuus Vahl = Isolepis cernua var. cernua<br />
S. ciliaris L. = Fuirena ciliaris<br />
S. complanatus Retz. = Fimbristylis complanata<br />
S. corymbosus L. [syn. <strong>of</strong> Rhynchospora corymbosa var.<br />
corymbosa] : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
Dinter s.n., 2643 should be checked<br />
S. dichotomus L. = Fimbristylis dichotoma<br />
S. dioecus (Kunth) Boeck. = Scirpoides dioecus<br />
S. diphyllus Retz. = Fimbristylis dichotoma<br />
S. erectus Poir. = Schoenoplectus erectus<br />
S. ferrugineus L. = Fimbristylis ferruginea<br />
S. geniculatus L. in part = Eleocharis geniculata<br />
S. granulato-hirtellus Boeck. = Bulbostylis hispidula subsp.<br />
pyriformis<br />
S. hispidulus in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Vahl = Bulbostylis<br />
hispidula subsp. pyriformis<br />
S. hystricoides B.Nord. = Lipocarpha rehmannii<br />
S. hystrix in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> Thunb. = Lipocarpha<br />
rehmannii<br />
S. inclinatus (Barbey) Boiss. = Schoenoplectus corymbosus<br />
S. karroicus C.B.Clarke = Isolepis karroica<br />
S. lacustris in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> L. = Schoenoplectus<br />
tabernaemontani<br />
S. laeteflorens C.B.Clarke = Bolboschoenus nobilis<br />
S. leucanthus Boeck. = Schoenoplectus leucanthus<br />
S. limosus Schrad. = Eleocharis limosa<br />
S. litoralis in sense <strong>of</strong> authors, not <strong>of</strong> Schrad. = Schoenoplectus<br />
scirpoideus<br />
S. lugardii C.B.Clarke = Cyperus hamulosus<br />
S. macer Boeck. = Isolepis costata<br />
S. maritimus L. = Bolboschoenus maritimus<br />
S. maritimus in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech, not <strong>of</strong> L. = Bolboschoenus<br />
glaucus<br />
S. micranthus Vahl = Lipocarpha micrantha<br />
S. microcephalus (Steud.) Dandy = Kyllingiella microcephala<br />
S. muricinux C.B.Clarke = Schoenoplectus muricinux<br />
S. praelongatus Poir. = Schoenoplectus senegalensis<br />
S. roylei (Nees) R.Parker = Schoenoplectus roylei<br />
S. setaceus L. = Isolepis setacea<br />
S. sinuatus Schuyler =? Schoenoplectus erectus<br />
S. sororius in sense <strong>of</strong> Podlech (1967), not <strong>of</strong> (Kunth)<br />
C.B.Clarke = Isolepis setacea<br />
S. variegatus Poir. = Eleocharis variegata<br />
S. varius C.B.Clarke : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
Rehm s.n. should be checked<br />
Scleria P.J.Bergius 0515<br />
S. foliosa A.Rich.<br />
Volkiella disticha<br />
Del. Marietjie Steyn<br />
25
S. longispiculata Nelmes<br />
S. rehmannii C.B.Clarke<br />
S. veseyfitzgeraldii E.A.Rob. : Eastern Caprivi, Killick &<br />
Leistner 3218 (PRE!)<br />
Tetraria P.Beauv. 0494<br />
T. compar (L.) Lestib. : doubtfully occurring in Namibia;<br />
locality <strong>of</strong> Ihlenfeldt, de Winter & Hardy 3080<br />
(PRE!), (that is, Hentiesbaai) should be checked<br />
Volkiella Merxm. & Czech 0452<br />
V. disticha Merxm. & Czech : not endemic, also recorded<br />
for Zambia<br />
Websteria S.H.Wright 0458<br />
W. confervoides (Poir) S.S.Hooper : occurrence in Namibia<br />
requires confirmation<br />
REFERENCES<br />
ARCHER, C. 2003. Cyperaceae. In: Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L.<br />
(eds), Plants <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia<br />
14. Pp. 1020–1047.<br />
CLARKE, N.V. & MANNHEIMER, C.A. 1999a. Cyperaceae <strong>of</strong><br />
Namibia: an illustrated key. NBRI Occasional Contributions 1.<br />
CLARKE, N.V. & MANNHEIMER, C. 1999b. Cyperaceae. In: Craven,<br />
P. (ed.), Checklist <strong>of</strong> Namibian plant species. SABONET Report<br />
No. 7. Pp. 32–38.<br />
KOLBERG, H., GIESS, W., MÜLLER, M. & STROHBACH, B. 1992.<br />
List <strong>of</strong> Namibian plant species. Dinteria 22: 1–121.<br />
PODLECH, D. 1967. Cyperaceae. In: Merxmüller, H. (ed.), Prodromus<br />
einer Flora von Südwestafrika 165. J. Cramer, Lehre.<br />
A.2. Cyperaceae types from Namibia<br />
Bulbostylis Kunth<br />
B. mucronata C.B.Clarke in Botanische Jahrbucher 38: 135<br />
(1906) : Otjimbingue, Fischer 156.<br />
Cyperus L.<br />
C. amabilis Vahl var. subacaulis Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 266 (1936) : Okakuja, Grossarth sub Dinter<br />
2578 in part.<br />
C. aristatus Rottb. var. atriceps Kük. in Mitteilungen der<br />
Thüringischen Botanischen Vereins N.F. 50: 8<br />
(1943) : Grootfontein, Dinter 7377, Kalkfeld, Dinter<br />
7490, Farm Lichtenstein, Rusch in herb. Walter<br />
522 in part, Farm Ombojumatemba, Böttrich 53a.<br />
C. bellus Kunth forma auratus Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 303 (1936) : Okahandja, Dinter 466, Grootfontein,<br />
Dinter 2379.<br />
C. chrysanthus Boeck. var. occidentalis Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 337 (1936) : Without precise locality,<br />
Dinter s.n.<br />
C. congestus Vahl var. grandiceps Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 446 (1936) : Okosongomingo, Dinter 1781<br />
[plus several o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong> syntypes].<br />
C. congestus Vahl var. pseudonatalensis Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 446 (1936) : Okosongomingo, Dinter<br />
1747 [plus several o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong> syntypes].<br />
C. corymbosus Rottb. var. damarensis Kük. in Mitteilungen<br />
der Thüringischen Botanischen Vereins N.F. 50: 2<br />
(1943) : Omusema, Peter 47028, Walter 128.<br />
C. fulgens C.B.Clarke in Bulletin de l’herbier Boissier 4,<br />
App. III: 30 (1896) : Hereroland, Fleck 642 [plus<br />
several o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong> syntypes].<br />
C. fulgens C.B.Clarke var. contractus Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 122 (1935) : Otjituo, Dinter 894.<br />
C. indecorus Kunth var. namaquensis Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 545 (1936) : Kuibis, Dinter 1184, Schäfer<br />
372, Range 1275.<br />
C. indecorus Kunth var. dinteri Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 545 (1936) : Farm H<strong>of</strong>fnung, Dinter 2724.<br />
C. indecorus Kunth var. namaquensis Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 545 (1936) : Kuibis, Dinter 1184, Schafer<br />
372, Aris, Range 1275.<br />
C. longus L. subsp. tenuiflorus (Rottb.) Kük. var. discolor<br />
Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich 101: 103 (1935) : Omaheke,<br />
Seiner 178 [plus one o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong> syntype].<br />
C. pseudokyllingioides Kük. var. africanus Kük. in Das<br />
Pflanzenreich 101: 501 (1936) : Hereroland, Schinz<br />
370 [plus several o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong> syntypes].<br />
C. pseudomarginatus Dinter in Feddes Repertorium 16: 366<br />
(1920) : Grootfontein, Dinter 2374; Gaub, Dinter<br />
2409.<br />
C. pseudoniveus Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 29: 45 (1888) :<br />
Olukonda, Schinz 376.<br />
C. purpureus Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 29: 45 (1888) :<br />
Olukonda, Schinz 383.<br />
C. rehmii Merxm. in Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung<br />
München 1: 84 (1951) : Farm Blockaue,<br />
Rehm s.n.<br />
C. remotiflorus Kük. in Feddes Repertorium 18: 345 (1922)<br />
: Kubab, Range 270.<br />
C. remotiflorus Kük. var. schweickerdtii Merxm. in Mitteilungen<br />
der Botanischen Staatssammlung München<br />
1: 85 (1951) : Windhoek, Schweickerdt 2289.<br />
C. schinzii Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 29: 45 (1888) :<br />
Olukonda, Schinz 383.<br />
C. subaphyllus Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 30: 139 (1888) :<br />
Luderitz, Schinz s.n.<br />
C. teneriffae Poir. var. succulentus Kük. in Mitteilungen der<br />
Thüringische Botanischen Vereins N.F. 50: 7 (1943)<br />
: Grootfontein, Dinter 7332.<br />
C. usitatus Burch. var. macrobulbus Kük. in Das Pflanzenreich<br />
101: 124 (1936) : Rehoboth-Aub, Dinter<br />
2247, Windhoek, Foermer 4 [plus several o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
<strong>African</strong> syntypes].<br />
Eleocharis R.Br.<br />
E. seydeliana Podlech in Mitteilungen der botanischen<br />
Staatssammlung, München 3: 527 (1960) : Swakopmund,<br />
Seydel 627.<br />
Fuirena Rottb.<br />
F. angolensis (C.B.Clarke) Lye in Botaniska Notiser 127:<br />
112 (1974), not validly published; Haines & Lye in<br />
The Sedges and Rushes <strong>of</strong> East Africa 47 (1983) :<br />
Olukonda, Rautanen 108 [plus several o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>African</strong><br />
syntypes].<br />
F. reticulata Kük. in Feddes Repertorium 41: 271 (1937) :<br />
Grootfontein, Schoenfelder 472 [S.472].<br />
Kyllinga Rottb.<br />
K. merxmuelleri Podlech in Mitteilungen der Botanischen<br />
Staatssammlung München 3: 525 (1960) : Rundu,<br />
Merxmüller & Giess 2136.<br />
Lipocarpha R.Br.<br />
L. rautanenii Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 31: 179 (1890) :<br />
26 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Olukonda, Rautanen 2.<br />
Pycreus P.Beauv.<br />
P. chorisanthus C.B.Clarke in Flora <strong>of</strong> Tropical Africa 8:<br />
526 (1902) : Hereroland, Dinter s.n. [Raised from<br />
seed in Zurich Botanic Gardens.]<br />
P. okavangensis Podlech in Mitteilungen der Botanischen<br />
Staatssammlung München 3: 522 (1960) : Rundu,<br />
Volk 1966.<br />
Rhynchospora Vahl<br />
R. arechavaletae Boeck. in Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Cyperaceen<br />
1: 24 (1888) : Olukonda, Schinz 373.<br />
Scirpus L.<br />
S. aciformis B.Nord. in Dinteria 11: 53 (1974) : Brandberg,<br />
Nordenstam 2826.<br />
S. granulato-hirtellus Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 31: 179<br />
(1890b) : Olukonda, Rautanen 1.<br />
S. hystricoides B.Nord. in Dinteria 11: 55 (1974) : Brandberg,<br />
Nordenstam 2836.<br />
S. laeteflorens C.B.Clarke in Flora <strong>of</strong> Tropical Africa 8: 456<br />
(1902) : Hereroland, Chapman & Baines s.n., Fleck<br />
112A.<br />
S. leucanthus Boeck. in Verhandlungen des botanischens<br />
vereins der Provinz Brandenburg 29: 46 (1888) :<br />
Fish River, Schinz s.n.<br />
S. sinuatus Schuyler in Notulae naturae <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> academy<br />
<strong>of</strong> natural sciences <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia 438: 2 (1971) :<br />
Nama Pan, Story 5155.<br />
Volkiella Merxm. & Czech<br />
V. disticha Merxm. & Czech in Mitteilungen der Botanischen<br />
Staatssammlung München 1: 318 (1953) :<br />
Rundu, Volk 1815.<br />
A.3. Common names <strong>of</strong> Cyperaceae in Namibia<br />
KEY:<br />
A Afrikaans<br />
E English<br />
G German<br />
H Otjiherero<br />
J Ju|’hoan<br />
K Khoekhoegowab<br />
Kxoe Bushmen (Caprivi)<br />
Nh Naro<br />
O-Ok Oshiwambo, Oshikwanyama<br />
Rk Rukwangali<br />
Rum Rumanyo<br />
T Thimbukushu<br />
• ^ indicates that name is included in <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial orthography/<br />
dictionary/glossary<br />
• spp. = name has been applied to several species in this genus<br />
• sp. = refers to an unidentified member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> genus<br />
• The common name refers to species, including subspecies and<br />
variety, unless specified<br />
General : Sedge E; Riedgräser G<br />
Bulbostylis Kunth<br />
B. hispidula : okashede O-Ok<br />
B. sp. : efinde; <strong>of</strong>inde O-Ok<br />
Cyperus L.<br />
General : uintjie A; nut grass E<br />
C. chersinus : g|a’u’g|o (-n||ae); !gewu^; g!a’u^ J<br />
C. congestus : n!ani; n|ni Nh<br />
C. esculentus : geeluintjie A; okatjako H; !hanni^ K<br />
C. fulgens : oseu H; |ao; g!a’u^ J; kyan-’an Kxoe; n|nni<br />
Nh; nontukulu Rk; ntiua Rum; thiwa^ T<br />
C. imbricatus : g!aug!oq^ J; rufukutu Rk<br />
C. laevigatus : ondombora H; xautsixaubes^ K<br />
C. longus : waterbiesie A; gemeines Zypergras G; onenge<br />
H; !omn’|ai^; !um’mn|ai J<br />
C. margaritaceus : witbiesie A; #umagari^; kari^ J; !khopobes^<br />
K; |oiba Nh; nzuwu-nzuwu Rum<br />
C. marginatus : matjiesgoed A<br />
C. papyrus : papirus A; papyrus E; Papyrusstaude G;<br />
gyara; koama Kxoe; likoma Rum; dikoma^;<br />
jaradjara T<br />
C. pectinatus : shininge Rum<br />
C. rotundus : rooiuintjie A; nut sedge E; |ares^ K<br />
C. sphaerospermus : matjiesgoed A; efinde O-Ok; diraurau<br />
T<br />
C. turrillii : etondo-lashimbungu O-Ok<br />
C. usitatus : ozeu H; |han-i K<br />
C. sp. : uintjies A; ozëu H; !hans; !han; khan; !hanni;<br />
!hares; |arebes K<br />
C. spp. : embodi; <strong>of</strong>inde O-Ok<br />
Kyllinga Rottb.<br />
K. alba : biesie A; #omagari J; |k’wee Nh; oshedishomula<br />
O-Ok<br />
K. sp. : #umagari^ J<br />
Pycreus P.Beauv.<br />
P. flavescens : embodi O-Ok<br />
Schoenoplectus (Rchb.) Palla<br />
S. corymbosus : n#au-n#au^ J<br />
Scirpoides Ség.<br />
S. dioecus : ondeka H; |harus-b K<br />
Scirpus L.<br />
S. sp. : ||gug||wa K<br />
REFERENCE<br />
CRAVEN, P. & KOLBERG, H. Ined. Common names <strong>of</strong> Namibian<br />
plants. CD-Rom. NBRI, Windhoek.<br />
B.1. Uses<br />
• Uses have been recorded from herbarium specimens and from<br />
literature relevant to Namibia. Voucher specimens are<br />
italicised, and literature references are given in paren<strong>the</strong>ses.<br />
• Where checking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> identification <strong>of</strong> specimens has been<br />
possible, <strong>the</strong> plant indicated may differ from that given<br />
in <strong>the</strong> original literature source.<br />
• Additional references <strong>of</strong> a general nature may be found in<br />
Craven & Sullivan (2000).<br />
• The nutritional value <strong>of</strong> some species <strong>of</strong> Cyperaceae is recorded<br />
in Wehmeyer (1986).<br />
Bulbostylis Kunth<br />
B. hispidula subsp. pyriformis : <strong>the</strong> leaves and stems are<br />
used as a sieve for straining marula wine or beer;<br />
Rodin 9033 (PRE!).<br />
SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004<br />
27
Cyperus L.<br />
C. digitatus subsp. auricomus : after a child is born <strong>the</strong><br />
plant is roasted in a clay bowl. The smoke drifts<br />
over <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r and inhalation assists recovery;<br />
Rodin 9120 (Rodin 1985).<br />
C. esculentus var. esculentus : <strong>the</strong> tubers are edible (Dinter<br />
1912; Otto 1979; Von Koenen 1996).<br />
C. fulgens var. fulgens : <strong>the</strong> corms (eaten raw, roasted or<br />
pounded into flour) are an important food; Story<br />
5166 (PRE!) [previously incorrectly identified as<br />
C. congestus] (Maguire, B. 1978; Malan & Owen-<br />
Smith 1974; Steyn 1981, Story 1959).<br />
C. fulgens var. fulgens : <strong>the</strong> corms are represented in <strong>the</strong><br />
archaeological remains at Big Elephant Shelter in <strong>the</strong><br />
Erongo Mountains (Wadley, 1979).<br />
C. imbricatus : <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t basal part is eaten by children; De<br />
Winter 3979 (PRE!).<br />
C. longus var. tenuiflorus : <strong>the</strong> rhizome is ground and is<br />
used as a cosmetic powder; Giess 11101 (Giess &<br />
Snyman 1986).<br />
C. longus var. tenuiflorus : <strong>the</strong> roots, which have a pleasant<br />
scent, are plaited into necklaces worn by women<br />
(Malan & Owen-Smith 1974).<br />
C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus : used to make baskets<br />
for storing berries (Ref. Steyn & Du Pisani 1985).<br />
C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus : 1. <strong>the</strong> rhizome provides<br />
cosmetic powder used by women. 2. <strong>the</strong> plant<br />
is used as a stopper for ostrich-shells containing<br />
water. 3. it is put into a new ostrich shell and serves<br />
as a deodorant; Giess 9798, 9810 (Giess & Snyman<br />
1986; Steyn 1981).<br />
C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus : portions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> root<br />
material are warmed and <strong>the</strong>n placed as a poultice<br />
around <strong>the</strong> throat <strong>of</strong> someone with a sore throat or<br />
mumps (Sullivan, 1998).<br />
C. margaritaceus var. margaritaceus : <strong>the</strong> stalks are used for<br />
making huts (Haacke 1982).<br />
C. papyrus: <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t white culm bases are eaten raw; De<br />
Winter & Wiss 4230 (PRE!).<br />
C. sphaerospermus : after a child is born <strong>the</strong> plant is roasted<br />
in a clay bowl. The smoke drifts over <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />
and inhalation assists recovery; Loeb 578 (PRE!)<br />
(Rodin 1985).<br />
C. sphaerospermus : a herb: <strong>the</strong> roots are chewed as cure<br />
for coughs and against bad breath; De Winter 4359.<br />
C. usitatus : <strong>the</strong> corms are an important food (Dinter 1912)<br />
C. sp. : <strong>the</strong> roasted and pounded bulbs were formerly used<br />
as a substitute for c<strong>of</strong>fee (Du Pisani 1983).<br />
C. sp. : <strong>the</strong> small bulbs are ei<strong>the</strong>r eaten raw or roasted (Budack<br />
1965; Giess 1966; Otto 1979).<br />
C. sp. : believed to be excellent food for pregnant women<br />
(Budack 1965).<br />
Kyllinga Rottb.<br />
K. alba : used as a stopper for ostrich eggs that serve as<br />
water containers; also for decontaminating or purifying<br />
<strong>the</strong> inside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eggshell; Giess 11016 (Leffers<br />
2003).<br />
K. alba : <strong>the</strong> roots and stems are boiled and given to women<br />
with stomach cramps; Rodin 9247, 9058.<br />
K. alba : used for making ornaments (Bleek 1928)<br />
Scirpoides Ség.<br />
S. dioecus : a Herero superstition holds that elephants will<br />
be attracted to <strong>the</strong> spring if <strong>the</strong> plant is pulled out<br />
(Malan & Owen-Smith 1974).<br />
S. dioecus : mats used to cover huts were traditionally made<br />
from this plant (Du Pisani 1983).<br />
ETHNOBOTANICAL REFERENCES<br />
BLEEK, D.F. 1928. The Naron: A bushman tribe <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> central<br />
Kalahari. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.<br />
BUDACK, K.F.R. 1965. ’n Volkekundige studie van die Tsesreservaat<br />
(Distrik Keetmanshoop, Suidwes-Afrika) met besondere<br />
verwysing na die geskiedenis en die inter-etniese verhoudinge van<br />
die bewoners. Unpublished M.A. <strong>the</strong>sis, University <strong>of</strong> Pretoria,<br />
Pretoria.<br />
CRAVEN, P. & SULLIVAN, S. 2000. Inventory and review <strong>of</strong><br />
ethnobotanical research in Namibia: first steps towards a central<br />
‘register’ <strong>of</strong> indigenous plant knowledge. NBRI Occasional<br />
Contributions 2.<br />
DINTER, K. 1912. Die vegetabilische Veldkost Deutsch-Südwest-<br />
Afrikas. Selbstverlag, Okahandja<br />
DU PISANI, E. 1983. Past and present plant utilization in Namaland<br />
and <strong>the</strong> lower Kuiseb River valley, SWA (Namibia). A preliminary<br />
report. Khoisis Occasional Papers 4: 1–19.<br />
GIESS, W. 1966. Veldkost in Südwestafrika. Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> South<br />
West Africa Scientific Society 20: 59–68.<br />
GIESS, W. & SNYMAN, J.W. 1986. The naming and utilization <strong>of</strong><br />
plantlife by <strong>the</strong> Zu’hoasi Bushmen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kau-Kauveld. In: Vossen<br />
R. & Keuthmann K. (eds.), Contemporary continuing studies on<br />
Khoisan 1. Pp. 237–346.<br />
HAACKE, W.H.G. 1982. Traditional Hut-building Techniques <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Nama (with some related terminology). Cimbebasia Series<br />
B, 3, 2: 78–98.<br />
LEFFERS, A. 2003. Gemsbok bean & Kalahari truffle. Traditional use<br />
by <strong>the</strong> Ju!’hoansi in north east Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan<br />
Publishers, Windhoek.<br />
MAGUIRE, B. 1978. The food plants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> !Kung Bushmen <strong>of</strong><br />
North-Western South West Africa. Unpublished M. Sc. Thesis,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.<br />
MALAN, J.S. & OWEN-SMITH, G.L. 1974. The ethnobotany <strong>of</strong><br />
Kaokoland. Cimbebasia Series B, 2: 131–178.<br />
OTTO, A. 1979. Die Rolle der Veldkost und die Verwendung<br />
pflanzlicher Substanzen bei den Herero in Katutura. South West<br />
<strong>African</strong> Scientific Society <strong>Newsletter</strong> 19: 10–11.<br />
RODIN, R.J. 1985. The ethnobotany <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kwanyama Ovambos.<br />
Monographs in Systematic Botany from <strong>the</strong> Missouri <strong>Botanical</strong><br />
Garden 9.<br />
STEYN, H.P. 1981. Nharo plant utilization. An overview. Khoisis<br />
Occasional Papers 1: 1–31.<br />
STEYN, H.P. & DU PISANI, E. 1985. Grass-seeds, game and goats:<br />
an overview <strong>of</strong> Dama subsistence. South West Africa Scientific<br />
Society Journal 39: 37–52.<br />
STORY, R. 1959. Some plants used by <strong>the</strong> Bushmen in obtaining food<br />
and water. Memoirs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Botanical</strong> Survey <strong>of</strong> South Africa 30.<br />
SULLIVAN, S. 1998. People, plants and practice in drylands: sociopolitical<br />
and ecological dimensions <strong>of</strong> resource-use by Damara<br />
farmers in north-west Namibia. Unpublished Ph. D. <strong>the</strong>sis,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> London, London.<br />
VON KOENEN, E. 1996. Heil-, Gift- und Essbare Pflanzen in Namibia.<br />
Klaus Hess Verlag, Göttingen.<br />
WADLEY, L. 1979. Big Elephant Shelter and its role in <strong>the</strong> Holocene<br />
prehistory <strong>of</strong> central South West Africa. Cimbebasia Series B,<br />
3, 1: 1–76.<br />
WEHMEYER, A.S. 1986. Edible wild plants <strong>of</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa.<br />
National Food Research Institute, Pretoria.<br />
—C. Archer 1 & P. Craven 2<br />
1<br />
National <strong>Botanical</strong> Institute, Pretoria, South Africa<br />
Archerc@nbi.ac.za<br />
2<br />
Formerly National <strong>Botanical</strong> Research Institute, Windhoek,<br />
Namibia<br />
patdan@iafrica.com.na<br />
28 SABONET News Vol. 9 No. 1 September 2004
Plant taxonomy in <strong>the</strong> 21 st Century:<br />
meeting users’ needs in Lesotho<br />
This article is an outcome <strong>of</strong> a lecture presented at a national workshop for end-users<br />
and stakeholders <strong>of</strong> botanical information and herbaria, held in Mohale, Lesotho in<br />
October 2003. The article discusses plant taxonomy in <strong>the</strong> 21 st Century in light <strong>of</strong> how<br />
end-users <strong>of</strong> botanical information could use taxonomic data in conserving species and<br />
habitats. It also describes taxonomy as an integral part <strong>of</strong> biodiversity and sustainable<br />
development and presents a summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kinds <strong>of</strong> information that taxonomy<br />
and herbaria can provide for stakeholders and end-users in <strong>the</strong> social, economic and<br />
environment sectors. Throughout, <strong>the</strong> discussion attempts to relate taxonomy and<br />
herbaria to <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes <strong>of</strong> biodiversity, sustainable development, and human needs.<br />
Human Beings: <strong>the</strong> earth’s most<br />
biologically successful species<br />
In trying to provide food, shelter, sanitation,<br />
and health care for 6 billion people,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Earth’s natural resources are being<br />
depleted. In turn, <strong>the</strong> functioning <strong>of</strong> ecosystems<br />
is being disrupted. An important<br />
component <strong>of</strong> ecosystems is biodiversity.<br />
Among <strong>the</strong> most important threats to<br />
biological diversity in <strong>the</strong> 21 st Century<br />
are land degradation, globalisation, and<br />
climate change, which are all driven by<br />
<strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> humans.<br />
Degradation <strong>of</strong> habitat<br />
Land degradation is a major problem.<br />
About 75 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Earth’s landmass<br />
has been degraded to some degree by<br />
human impact. In Africa, land is being<br />
transformed by agriculture, deforestation,<br />
grazing, mining, and <strong>the</strong> collection<br />
<strong>of</strong> firewood. These economy-driven activities<br />
continue to destroy natural habitats<br />
and progressively wipe out species and<br />
populations. The destruction <strong>of</strong> habitat<br />
threatens many plant species that may be<br />
useful for <strong>the</strong> alleviation <strong>of</strong> hunger or disease.<br />
Normally, gene flow between plant<br />
populations introduces new genes and<br />
<strong>the</strong>refore variation into <strong>the</strong> gene pool <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> populations. Increased variation allows<br />
populations to adapt to changing environmental<br />
conditions and save <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
from possible extinction. However, <strong>the</strong><br />
degradation <strong>of</strong> habitat causes <strong>the</strong> isolation<br />
<strong>of</strong> populations and reduced gene flow and<br />
variation in populations, thus restricting<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir potential for adaptation.<br />
Globalisation<br />
Globalisation has both positive and<br />
negative effects on nations. The most<br />
significant negative effect <strong>of</strong> globalisation<br />
in developing countries is cultural loss.<br />
The homogenisation <strong>of</strong> cultural diversity<br />
through globalisation results in <strong>the</strong> cultural<br />
knowledge and practices <strong>of</strong> indigenous<br />
people becoming threatened. In<br />
addition, global influences undermine <strong>the</strong><br />
family and religious values <strong>of</strong> indigenous<br />
communities. This alters <strong>the</strong>ir social values<br />
and sustainable practices. Such cultural<br />
changes increase challenges to conserve<br />
biological resources (Hoyningen-Huene,<br />
et. al. 1999).<br />
Climate change<br />
Climate change affects <strong>the</strong> conservation<br />
<strong>of</strong> biological diversity. Desanker (2002)<br />
explains that climate change may intensify<br />
<strong>the</strong> stress on ecosystems to beyond<br />
recovery, which would have significant<br />
effects on biodiversity and food security,<br />
especially in Africa. He suggests that biodiversity<br />
be managed to ensure that <strong>the</strong><br />
conservation <strong>of</strong> species takes place both<br />
within and outside conservation areas, and<br />
that adequate habitat be preserved to enable<br />
species <strong>of</strong> plants and animals as well<br />
as humans to migrate when necessary.<br />
Human activities such as deforestation are<br />
speeding up <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> climate change<br />
in <strong>the</strong> 21 st Century, which will disrupt food<br />
production and intensify poverty. When<br />
biological diversity is conserved, ecosystems<br />
are conserved and <strong>the</strong>refore able to<br />
continue to support human life.<br />
The good news for sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong><br />
countries is that much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir rich biological<br />
diversity is still intact in <strong>the</strong> form<br />
<strong>of</strong> ecosystems. The exceptional richness<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn <strong>African</strong> flora alone is<br />
highlighted in The relevance <strong>of</strong> herbaria<br />
and taxonomic work in sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa in<br />
Steenkamp & Smith (2002). The survival<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subcontinent <strong>the</strong>refore depends<br />
on <strong>the</strong> wise utilisation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se genetic<br />
resources.<br />
Prescription for <strong>the</strong> 21 st century<br />
All human life is dependent on <strong>the</strong> sustainable<br />
use <strong>of</strong> biological resources. Meeting<br />
<strong>the</strong> demands for housing, education,<br />
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