Tetraria thermalis, the bergpalmiet above Hermanus

Tetraria thermalis, the bergpalmiet, lives a peaceful, restio-like life up here on the moist, south-facing slopes of the mountains above Hermanus, or so it seems. Ravaged periodically by the fynbos rejuvenating fires of this veld is also part of its deal. What helps is the plant’s robust, woody, underground rootstock that survives even the more intense mountain burns. And rootstocks also contribute to stabilising the soil.

Rapid resprouting returns the tussocks of shiny, fibrous strap-leaves, normalising the ecological equilibrium, sometimes hastened by rain. The land here is nutrient poor and acid, but this is the perfect natural home of many thriving mountain fynbos species. And the ashes of the burnt plants feed the resprouting and reseeding returnees.

T. thermalis does not only survive veld fires, it resprouts so vigorously and so promptly, that it is recognised among the first heralds of green after the devastation. The baboons living here welcome this fresh salad-like food when supplies are low.

From the plant’s point of view, however, no good deed ever goes unpunished! To be eaten when responding to disaster so diligently (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).