Euphorbia sekukuniensis not yet submerged

This stand of Euphorbia sekukuniensis was drowned by the new De Hoop Dam when it first filled up. Many plants, including specimens of this Euphorbia have been collected from the Dam basin for transplantation since the building work had started. 

Not everything the diligent members of Operation Wildflower have transplanted has grown. But many of the saved plants have. Skills growth from study, sharing experiences and trial and error continually contribute to a climbing success rate!

Operation Wildflower has been performing similar rescue operations in many areas when alerted in time about authorised development plans for naturally vegetated spots. Landowners who feel duly bad about the destruction of beautiful and rare plants, may approach the Association for arranging rescue collections. And developers can trust the Association for adhering rigidly to agreed rules and procedures over collection weekends for avoiding interference with their development work. 

Saving plants reduces the species destruction caused by human population (and needs) growth. Biodiversity loss diminishes the life expectancy of the human race (as of all else that lives on earth). Species interdependence is still only partly understood in science, but everything we eat (and much else we depend upon), is provided by the other living things around us.

(Also see entries for E. sekukuniensis in the Euphorbia Album under Genera.)