Daubenya zeyheri leaves

Daubenya zeyheri was found in large numbers near Abrahamskraal in the West Coast National Park. The two shiny, opposite leaves with their longitudinal lines grow flat on the ground and form the base for the ground level red flowers. The flowers merit the admiration of well rewarded visitors to this area in winter. The rainy season also being the flowering season challenges the ecotourist who has to rough it a bit!

The many tortoises that still move around among the shrubbery in the protected Park are more interested in the annual grasses and shrub leaves than in these flowers. On a good day while walking along the available paths in the fynbos of the Park, one can spot dozens of tortoises coming out after the rain into the open grass to feed. This is but one of the features making the area very special to visit.

Another is the funny little holes in the wet sand on the path, occurring in a row more than a metre apart. Until you realize they are ostrich tracks! The big toe makes a deep indent in soft ground from the long toenail as the bird walks. It is much more fun to see an ostrich in the distance than to meet one on a fynbos pathway, coming from the opposite direction!