VULNERABLE PLANTS RESCUED IN EKURHULENI

Construction work in Ekurhuleni was brought to a halt recently in order to save plants that are listed as a vulnerable and threatened species. The bulbous plants were found in a tranquil, undeveloped piece of land close to Esther Park. They are called Trachyandra erythrorrhiza.

The plants are unique to this area and can be found in grasslands, usually in black turf marshes. A total of 163 bulbs were removed during a search and rescue exercise that is in line with Gautrain’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP). They were replanted in an area outside the rail reserve and will be closely monitored by experts.

The existence of this near threatened species was identified in Gautrain’s Environmental Impact Assessment that was undertaken in 2000-2002. Subsequently it was clearly indicated in the EMP that special attention need to be paid to this sensitive area, and that an ecological monitoring programme had to be implemented to monitor and manage construction work in this area.

A search and rescue exercise was undertaken in Esther Park on 17 January as part of the ecological monitoring and management plan. The purpose of this exercise was to identify all red data plants within the Gautrain rail reserve, and to remove these before construction work started.

Several traditional medical plants were also removed in Esther Park. These included Bitter Bos or Scabiues, Bitter Wortel (Ishongwe), Wild Carrot, Wild Grape, African Potato (Imkomfe), Rooi-opslag (Itshesizweumphuphuthepo), Elands bean (Iltinpolwane), Orange River Lily (Umduze) and Bushmans poison bulb (Nqotho). Plants were relocated to botanical and private gardens, nurseries and private collections.

However, as construction workers started to strip the top soil in Esther Park recently, a follow-up ecological audit was undertaken. At was at this stage when botanists noticed that there was still a number of Trachyandra erythrorrhiza visible in the top soil where it was stock piled. In future, this area within the rail reserve will be continually monitored.

Gautrain has conducted several search and rescue exercises, including areas such as Snake Valley in Tshwane and the Mint in Midrand. Several non-governmental organisations participated in these exercises including traditional healers from the Mai-Mai market, Free Me, Operation Wild Flower and The Transvaal Herpetological Association (snakes and reptiles).

Trachyandra erythrorrhiza is a species of plant in the Asphodelaceae family. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitat is intermittent freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Scientific classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Tracheophyta
• Class: Liliopsida
• Order: Liliales
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Genus: Trachyandra
• Species:T.erythrorrhiza