The Trees of Leisure Bay and Environs
Afzelia quanzensis (Pod Mahogany) PROTECTED TREE Deciduous tree to 20m. Crown wide, flattish to rounded. Usually in deep sand. Tall with creamy grey bark.developes rough round flaky patches. Leaves drooping, alternate, to 350mm. Stalk up to 60mm. Leaflets in 3-7 opposite pairs. Leaves glossydark green and wavy. Staks twisted. Spring leaves are shiny coppery.Roots used for Bilharzia, […]
Protected Trees in Leisure Bay
Barringtonia racemosa (Powder-puff Tree) Racemosa suggests that the flowers hang in racemes, hence the name. A most beautiful tree up to 10m (it could reach 20m in certain conditions). The stem is tall and straight, with the branches high up in the forest. It is shorter and stockier in the open. The bark is smooth, with raised dots […]
Statement about Drakes Dune
STATEMENT FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE LEISURE BAY CONSERVANCY There is an unprecedented level of malevolence on social media, specifically on one Facebook page, towards the Leisure Bay Conservancy. A lot of the talk that Facebook page is about the Conservancy’s Dune Project at Drakes Bay. It is said that some residents have concerns […]
The Pond
THE POND Shortly after taking occupation of the property we decided on a wter feature,so that we could sit on the deck and relax to the sound of running water. We decided on a fish pond with a submersible pump. Digging the hole in the clay was quite a big job, so I decided that […]
Reptiles seen in and around Leisure Bay
Southern Rock Agama Called the blue headed agama by some, these reptiles form colonies on rock outcrops, presided over by a dominant female and male. They are +- 20 – 25cm (rarely 30cm) and have a bluish throat. The breeding males have an ultramarine head which fades when threatened. Their diet consists of ants and […]
Leisure Bay Snakes
NATAL BLACK SNAKE This harmless snake is sometimes confused with the black mamba and is often killed. The average length is 90cm. It is a good swimmer. The colouring ranges from uniform inky black to jet black all round. It has a unique pattern on its head. Very few bites have been recorded except for […]
Invader Plants and Trees
INVASIVE ALIEN PLANTS (IAPs) (as described by the SA National Biodiversity Institute) (SANBI) see www.sanbi.org and www.invasives.org.za “IAPs are those plants that have been introduced into South Africa from other countries and have the ability to spread into local habitats, without the direct assistance of people. These plants often spread profusely because they lack natural enemies […]
Leisure Bay Spiders & Insects
Bark Spiders Common Bark Spider (Caer sexcuspidata) This is a nocturnal orb-web spider occuring throughout South Africa and on islands off the East coast of Africa. The female constructs a large orb-web, about 1.5m across between trees and shrubs. Its dorsal surface is cryptically coloured, with horny projections which help its camoflage. Ventally it is […]
Soupcon
Plumbago
