Page 26 - Landscape SA 98

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE

Hand tools: Best Ndlovu with Tree Popper, Clement
Ndlovu with bow saw, Lucky Mdluli with loppers and
Best Ndlovu with a Tree Popper levering out a weed of Wendy Carstens with a machete (having plucked out a
disturbed places with a long tap root. Conysa weed species by hand).

Clement Ndlovu with loppers. One of Jo'burg City Parks and Zoo security guards.

A very large stand of tangled, heavily paniculatum (Jewels of Opar) with its bags (hemmed by volunteers) for the
armed, indigenous Gymnosporia fleshy bulbs which need to be dug collection of weeds to prevent the spread
polyacantha (Kraal Spikethorn) adjacent out with trowels, and Heliotropium of seed. Carstens disposes of the weeds
to a rock outcrop and steps constructed amplexicaule (Blue Heliotrope), native at the Victory Park dumpsite. Herbicides
of rock had to be cut down with machetes to South America, which competes with recommended by Newtown Fertilisers are
and the large underground rhizomes desirable grassland. Biological control is used very sparingly. Backpack sprayers
removed with poppers, a number of being investigated in New South Wales are used to control ecological burns.
years ago. Once the large rhizomes were as it is a listed weed in eastern Australia Jacks Hardware provides handles for picks
‘popped’, the finer mesh of roots needed and is becoming more troublesome in and hoes and Supreme Hardware gives
follow-up with picks. The plant material South Africa. The MK workers dig out as discounts on overalls, gloves and rainwear.
was cleared, dried and burnt while the ash much of the purply-blue flowered plant as
was left in-situ. The tangled accumulation possible. If chemicals are used these must Melville Koppies is not open for guided tours/
of thorny shrubs was found to have been be applied prior to seeding. hikes during Covid Level 3 lockdown. Controlled
concealing a mass of Chlorophytum entrance at gate opposite Marks Park is open
bowkeri with its lovely star-like, snow white Donations are received for MK from on Sundays from 8-11.30 am. Here a map of
flowers, and these continue to bloom in businesses in the community and the trails is provided. Masks must be worn and
this cleared space each season. Woolworths School and Environmental social distancing applied, hand sanitiser is
cards. Builders Warehouse provides provided and names and contact details need
Carstens says that two of the most discounted blue overalls, while MK makes to be supplied. No booking is necessary. LSA
prolific, problematic weeds are Talinum extensive use of large construction waste

Melville Koppies Conservation Team prior to Covid restrictions.
Tam Scheidegger, Joseph Kasonga, Best Ndlovu, Lucky Mdluli, Clement Ndlovu, Wendy Carstens
Photo by Taryn Hinton

24 Landscape SA • Issue 98 2021