The Adventure to Cape L'Agulhas

August 9^th, 2014. Today we are going on an adventure to the southern-most tip of Africa in a land called Cape L’Aguhlas! At 7:30AM, we began our three hour drive to our destination. I am accompanied by my housemate Ryan and three other members of SANBI’s research facilities: Fhatani, Nkhume, and Tenda.

To get there, we drove all the way through the Cape Flats and across the township of Khayalitsha.

Up and over the Hottentot Mountains into the rural lands of the Western Cape.

Then down to the rocky coast of Cape L’Agulhas.

It was amazing to experience the different views in the few hours we spent on the road. My favorite was our passage through the farmlands of the L’Agulhas Flats. At first, it was rolling hills of dark green; I believe this is alfalfa.

As we ventured deeper and deeper into the countryside, there were magnificent displays of yellow.

This picturesque landscape is the canola flowers giving us a show. Not only is it amazing to see the rolling hills painted yellow, but I had no idea what canola really is. Canola oil is a kitchen necessity in most households yet I am sure very few people know much of anything about where it comes from. So I did some research.

Canola is another name for field mustard/turnip rape scientifically known as Brassica rapa. It was bred naturally from rapeseed at the University of Manitoba, Canada in the 1970’s. It’s was produced as an edible oil, but is also used as a source of biodiesel. It was actually named canola to avoid the negative connotations of rape. My research has explained that the word canola is derived from either Canada Oil Low Acid, or the “ola” referring to oil. Nontheless, it was all a marketing ploy to avoid rape, which I had no idea and think is pretty interesting. In fact, the latin word rapum means turnip, hence rapeseed.

The product was once a specialty crop of Canada, but is now an American cash crop and the highest-producing oilseed in the states. 90% of this crop is produced in North Dakota. The oil is produced by the heating, crushing, then refining of the seed. The end product possesses omega -6 and omega-3 fatty acids with low amounts of saturated fat. There are no tests proving dangerous health problems from this oil and it is recognized as safe to consume by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Records show this crop has been cultivated by man dating back to 4,000 years ago in India. In the 13^th century, Northern Europe used the oil for lamps. Much later during World War II when steam engines were under rapid production, canola oil was utilized as a cheap source of engine lubricant.

As we reached the oceanside town of Cape L’Agulhas, we headed towards the lighthouse to hike 500 meters to our long waited destination. 

This is a photo of Nkhume, me, Ryan, and Tenda at the sign pointing towards our destination.

A boardwalk took us straight to the point. Sadly, it didn’t seem much like the point I envisioned. It just seemed like another spot on the beach, but this specific spot had a giant stone figure with one arrow pointing the the east and another towards the west, labelled “Indian Ocean” and “Atlantic Ocean”. I was hoping there would be an exaggerated tip where couples could be caught mimicking the scene from Titanic. But when we arrived reality set in that just because it is the “tip” of Africa doesn’t mean it is a literal tip.

After we posed for a few photos, all of us made it a point to get our feet in the water. No sharpness of rocks would keep us from getting to the tip of the tip and in the water! I can proudly announce I have been in the Indian AND Atlantic Ocean at the same time.

Aside from taking pictures and comparing the two oceans (the Indian Ocean is warmer), our group spent the rest of the time checking out the tide pool life and skipping rocks. Here are some pictures of hermit crabs with beautiful green and brown stripes. I call them the Mint Chocolate Hermies.

We then decided to go get the greatest fish n’ chips at a local joint for lunch. On our way back, I photographed some of the plant life on the coast. Plenty of Haemanthes and bulb specimens, mesembs growing in the pebbles, even some shrubs.

I am sure in a few months there will be quite the view of African daisies in flower.

After lunch, we drove two hours along west to another beach town named Hermanus. Hermanus is a pretty nice vacation town which gained popularity by the numerous whale sightings off the coast every year, which has made this the center for the whale watching industry in South Africa. Our business was in Zwelihle, the local township, where Tenda had a friend from Varsity (University) whom he wanted to visit.

The townships are an interest place to be. If you are white, it is not advised to be there without a black escort. Not that the people are bad, but not all of them are to be trusted. Especially since they are less fortunate and the white population is assumed to have money. These communities are poor and commonly portrayed as the stereotypical shanty town. Zwelihle was pretty nice for a township, but still very much a shithole for the style of life I am accustom to. Trash everywhere, it stinks, we watched the “ratchet” trail her now ex-boyfriend down the street while she yelled how much she hated him. It is just a completely different style of life in the townships. I did not get many pictures of the township because I did not think it would be very respectful to be walking around with a camera, conspicuously taking photos of these people’s lifestyle.

But here are a few I did get. Check this out, chickens running around the street and this dude has two cut up pigs just hanging on this fence. How is any of this sanitary?!?!

After we met with Tenda’s friend, we went into the township. I really wanted vetkoek so we drove inside and parked the car as we looked around the taxi rink for a vendor. We ended up inside a storage bin which was made into a concession stand. Get this, I bought 10 vetkoeks and some fried snoek (a rather fine quality local fish) for 20 rand. This was enough to be dinner for the five of us for two dollars in America. Crazy right?

Back at the corner where Ryan, Nkhumi and Fhatani were, Tenda and I showed up to the guys chowing down on another local favorite, chicken feet. Chicken feet are a delicacy in the township communities. Yes, I tried it. No, I did not see the hype. You’re basically sticking these grilled feet into your mouth to spit out the toenails and bones it consist of. You are supposed to eat the soft skin (scales) and veins but there really isn’t anything on them. Funny thing is, eating this chicken foot was the best township food experience I had. As I am pondering what I’m doing with this chicken’s toe in my mouth, a taxi pulled us to the stop sign next to us and makes a hard stop. The driver leans out his window and stares at me in awe! He could not believe his eyes there was a white guy, in a township, eating chicken feet! 

We left Zwelihle and head back to Cape Town. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a cool picture of the Cape Flats as Ryan’s VW Polo putt its way down the Hottentots. By the time we arrived at Kirstenbosch, it was around 8pm and I needed some sleep for my hike up Table Mountain the next day.

Useful Plants of South Africa

August 15^th, 2014. I am a week away from boarding my flight back to California. This also means I have time for one more plant ID test!

This week, we are observing Pakamani’s Useful Plants Garden! These plants are used mostly for edible or medicinal purposes. Although these plants may possess such features, not all are safe to use and you should seek advice before trying any of these at home. Friday, I will be tested on the genus, specific epithet, common name, and uses for these plants.

1.       Melianthus major- Honey Flower

a.       This is a very poisonous plant. But if you make a gargle a tea made from the leaves and fruit, it can cure throat issues.

b.      You can also use this to extinguish sores by applying it directly as a poultice, aka a crushed leaf mixture.

2.       Geranium incanum- Carpet Geranium

a.       This geranium’s leaves are made into a tea which can help with bladder issues, digestion, venirial diseases, and help with menstration cycles.

3.       Pelargonium tomentosum- Peppermint pelargonium

a.       This soft, refreshingly smelling pelargonium is used as a mint extract. To do this, all you need to do is boil the leaves.

b.      These fuzzy leaves are also used to stop bleeding from cuts and scrapes, just like a natural bandage.

4.       Carpobrotus edulis- Sour Fig

a.       In California, this ice plant was introduced for erosion control but has since then become a terrible invasive species. Erosion control is one of the uses for this plant, but they have a cost.

b.      This succulent also produces a juice that can be consumed for digestive issues, or gargled for throat and mouth issues.

c.       Lastly, the fruits are used raw or dried as a jam/preserve. The name explains the taste, sour.

5.        Lippia javanica- Lemon Bush

a.       This member of the Verbenaceae is turned into a tea with its leaves and twigs. The concoction can help colds, flus, and respiratory issues.

                                                               i.      Weak infusions are used for general issues, and strong infusions help cure more dire situations. The rate of infusion depends on how many leaves used.

b.      This bush can also be made into a lotion to assist with epidermal issues like rashes, bites, stings, and scratches.

6.       Salvia africana-lutea – Golden Sage

a.       This plant can be made into a tea or an antiseptic wash. The tea helps with coughs, colds, and bronchitis; and the wash helps with epidermal issues like rashes, stings, and bites.

7.       Artemisia afra- Wormwood

a.       Wormwood is often fermented and turned into a brandy.

b.      If you turn it into a tea instead, it helps coughs, colds, chest pains, sinus infections, headaches, and sore throats. Honey and sugar is required to mask the taste.

c.       If you have sinus issues, you can simply stuff the leaves up your nose to solve the matter. Here’s a picture of me trying it out.

8.       Hyparrhenia hirta- Common Thatching Grass

a.       This is another plant used for erosion control.

b.      The grass is also used for grazing and the long strands are used for the roofing of homes and huts.

9.       Aloe arborescens- Krantz Aloe

a.       Leaves of the Krantz Aloe, and Aloe ferox, are stripped and piled to drain the sap. This sap is used for skin burns, wounds, and x-ray burns.

10.   Helichrysum petiolare- Herbal Helichrysum

a.       Once again, these leaves have a dense hairy epidermis that can be applied to stop cuts from bleeding.

b.      Leaves are also turned into tea for colds and coughs, or burned to fumigate a room.

11.   Sansevieria hyacinthoides- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

a.       Chew the sap out of this sucker to solve your worms, ulcers, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea. You can also boil and chew on the rhizome for the same effect.

                                                               i.      BUT, I do not know if this works for all species of sansevieria so do not use this unless you know for sure it is hyacinthoides.

b.      Another trick of this plant is that the sap can cure ear infections. Warm the leaves to help the sap flow out and into your ear.

12.   Carissa macrocarpa- Natal Plum

a.       This is the same Carissa macrocarpa we use as a barrier plant in California landscapes. These bushes provide tasty burgundy berries often used for jam.

b.      The roots are also used for gastric ulcers and tonic.

13.   Aloe succotrina- Fynbos Aloe

a.       These aloes are used as a purple dye. The foliage my not look purple, but as they dry out and senesce, the leaves get a dark purple tint.

14.   Zantedeschia aethiopic- Alum Lily

a.       These lilies pop up all over the place around here! Beautiful white flowers with dark green foliage, some even have a scent to them.

b.      The cool thing about these plants is that the leaves can be washed, warmed, and placed on the skin to cure wounds, sores, boyles, bites, and stings.

c.       Even better, when you get a headache from a long day at work, wrap the washed, warmed leaves around your head to soothe the pains away. 

15.   Geranium multisectum- Crane’s Bill

a.       This tonic herb is made into a tea for diarrhea, mouth infections, and thrush issues.

16.   Cotyledon orbiculata- Pig’s Ear

a.       Pig’s Ear helps your ears! You can drip leaf juice in your ear to help with these sores, along with toothaches as well.

b.      This plant can also be used to expel worms from your body.

17.   Nlandtia spinosa- Tortoise Berry

a.       This spikey bush possesses berries that are sour, juicy, and thirst quenching.

18.   Grewia occidentalis- Cross-Berry

a.       The crossing fruits on this bush are excellent products for juice. If you ferment the juice, you can be drinking a cross-berry beer.

19.   Hypoestes aristata- Ribbon bush

a.       The natives used the young leaves of this shrub as a substitute for spinach.

b.      You can use a poultice made of the leaves as an eye sore remedy as well.

20.   Cussonia spicata- Cabbage Tree

a.       The cabbage tree has fleshy, sweet, and thirst quenching roots that can be chewed and eaten raw.