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04 May 2018

New plant discovered in Goudveld – Garden Route National Park

The teams in the Garden Route National Park are excited about the discovery of two new plants in Goudveld/ Millwood.

Two new plants were discovered in Goudveld recently. They were discovered by the local Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) group with Di Turner visited Goudveld – two threatened plant species were identified.

  • Discorea burchelli (SANBI threatened species and IUCN vulnerable)- the IUCN has described this species as endemic to the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, occurring from George to the Kareedouw pass. The species is threatened by degradation from development and competition from an increase of invasive alien species according to IUCN.
  • Gladiolus sempervirens (SANBI threatened species)- According to the Red List of South African plants, this is a ‘rare species that occurs only in favoured habitats in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains. Not threatened.’

Goudveld is a popular hide-away situated 22- kilometers from Knysna. Nestled in the lower slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains the area has a magnificent variety of fynbos, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammal species.

Back in 1876 gold was discovered by James Hooper along the Karatara River. Later in 1887, more discoveries were made in the nearby Millwood area. Millwood in those days had hotels, a church, a shop, a surgery, a bank, school and a Post Office. The goldfields are also still visible.

*IUCN- International Union for Conservation of Nature

Media to contact: Nandi Mgwadlamba, 078 702 9663, [email protected]