Geometric Tortoise - Psammobates geometricus

Geometric Tortoise – Suurpootjie skilpad - Psammobates geometricus male is 12.5cm and the female 14.5cm. Its colouring is black carapace, with yellow stripes radiating from the yellow centre of each pyramidal shield. Bold black and yellow markings provide efficient camouflage.
Its habitat is Renosterveld.
Estimated only 2000 – 3000 exist. It only lays up to 4 eggs.

Conservation status: This is the only one of South Africa’s 12 species of land tortoises to be threatened with EXTINTION! ALL TORTOISES ARE PROTECTED BY LAW!

Spinnekopblom – Ferraria crispa subsp. Crispa

Spinnekopblom – Ferraria crispa subsp is characterized by tough, long-lived corms lacking visible tunics and accumulating from year to year in a chain. Leaves 8-12mm wide, slightly fleshy, overlapping, partly concealing the branched, straight or slightly twisted stem. The flowers are brown-yellowish, speckled and about 35mm across.
Its habitat in Renosterveld is mostly in sandy or rocky places.
Flowers last for only one day and are carrion scented

Conservation status: RARE

Cape Dwarf Chameleon – Bradypodion pumilum

Bradypodion pumilum (the generic name) is a small (13-17cm), active chameleon. Its variable, but basic leaf-green with a broad orange stripe along each side of the body and orange markings on the head.
They are found in the cape floristic kingdom in drier habitats, therefore Renosterveld specific. It occupies grasses and shrubs.
The Cape Dwarf Chameleon is one of the largest of the 13 species of dwarf chameleons in Southern Africa. In males the tail is slightly longer than the head and body combined. In the female it is slightly shorter. The female gives birth to live young, from 5-12 in a litter. Each little chameleon is about 40mm long and is immediately independent.

Conservation status: RARE

Aristea lugens – “Aristea’s”

Aristea lugens are 30-40cm and evergreen in September – October. The flowers are large and pale blue to dark with or pink. A very attractive species. Individual flowers are short lived and close-up after midday.
Endemic to Tygerberg and surroundings.

Current status: ENDANGERD

Kukumakranka (English) – Koekemakranka ( Khoi, Afrikaans) – Gethyllis

Kukumakranka, perennial growing up to 15cm. The leaves withered at flowering, narrow and spiralled. The flowers at ground level are cup-shaped, cream with pink strips on reverse, 30-40mm in diameter. It is highly aromatic and has a powerful sweet, fruity odour. The flowers are followed in the autumn by a narrow, cylindrical fruit that protrudes from the ground, this is the famed kukumakranka.
Its habitat is in the sandy flats of Renosterveld.

Kukumakranka brandy is one of the early Cape remedies for colic and indigestion. Traditionally an alcoholic infusion or tincture is made from a few ripe fruits in a bottle of brandy or witblits. The edible fruit was also highly valued to perfume rooms and linen.

Conservation status: RARE