Esterhuysenia drepanophylla growing in inaccessible places

Some plants are hard to reach where they grow. Germinating where people don’t habitually stroll, Esterhuysenia drepanophylla is one that may pose this challenge, safeguarded from some of its natural enemies by remoteness. When a plant’s isolation kindles curiosity, however, serving as attraction to some of its natural enemies, here meaning humans, such survival ploys are sadly neutralised as rare plants get “discovered”. This means being noticed, interfered with, removed from nature, transplanted, sold, cherished and even unintentionally destroyed.

Great excitement can be a byproduct of discovering novelty, sometimes even getting mixed up with scientific fervour. Accompanied by learning, especially when sufficient for conserving the beauty in intriguing life forms, is fortunately one of the possible outcomes.