African Sage
Salvia africana-lutea | Bloublomsalie
African Sage is a woody shrub with grey-green leaves and tubular, brownish flowers. It is commonly found in South Africa's coastal regions.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used African Sage to treat colds, coughs, and bronchitis. It was also used for its antiseptic properties and to aid digestion.
African Wormwood
Artemisia afra | Wilde Als
African Wormwood is a bushy shrub with finely divided, aromatic leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers. It thrives in the wild regions of South Africa.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used African Wormwood to treat respiratory ailments, such as colds, flu, and coughs. It was also employed to alleviate digestive issues and fevers.
Cape Aloe
Aloe ferox | Bergaalwyn
Cape Aloe is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves edged with spines. It is native to South Africa and produces tall spikes of tubular, orange-red flowers.
Medicinal Uses: Cape Aloe was used by the Khoi and San to treat skin ailments such as burns, wounds, and infections. Its sap was also ingested as a natural laxative and to aid digestion.
Cape Mint
Mentha longifolia | Balderjan
Cape Mint is a herbaceous plant with long, aromatic leaves and spikes of pale purple flowers. It grows in various regions across South Africa.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Cape Mint to treat digestive issues, headaches, and respiratory problems. It was often brewed into a tea for its soothing and aromatic effects.
Carpet Geranium
Geranium incanum | Vrouetee
Carpet Geranium is a low-growing plant with soft, hairy leaves and small, purple flowers. It is native to South Africa and often found in grassy areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Carpet Geranium to treat diarrhea and intestinal issues. It was also applied to wounds and skin irritations for its soothing properties.
Common Ice Plant
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum | Brakvy
Common Ice Plant is a succulent with fleshy, crystalline leaves and daisy-like flowers. It is commonly found in South Africa's coastal areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Common Ice Plant to treat digestive issues and skin conditions. It was also valued as a diuretic and for its cooling properties.
Confetti Bush
Coleonema alba | Klipboegoe
Confetti Bush is a dense, aromatic shrub with needle-like leaves and tiny pink or white flowers. It is found in South Africa's coastal regions.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Confetti Bush to treat colds, flu, and stomach ailments. It was also used as a natural insect repellent and in aromatic baths for relaxation.
Eland’s Sourfig
Carpobrotus acinaciformis | Ghoenavy
Elands Sourfig is a succulent with large, fleshy leaves and bright pink flowers. It is native to South Africa's coastal areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Elands Sourfig to treat sore throats, mouth infections, and digestive issues. The juice was also applied to burns and skin irritations for its soothing effects.
Elephant Bush
Portulacaria afra | Spekboom
Elephant Bush is a succulent with small, round leaves and reddish stems. It is native to the arid regions of South Africa.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San chewed Elephant Bush leaves to quench thirst and prevent dehydration. The plant was also used to treat skin ailments like sunburn and insect bites.
False Buchu
Agathosma ovata | Baster boegoe
False Buchu is a small shrub with aromatic leaves and clusters of small, white or pink flowers. It grows in South Africa's mountainous regions.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used False Buchu as a diuretic to treat kidney and urinary tract infections. It was also used to relieve digestive issues and as an anti-inflammatory.
Jade Plant
Crassula ovata | Karmedikbos
Jade Plant is a succulent with thick, oval-shaped leaves and small, pink or white flowers. It is a hardy plant found in South Africa's rocky areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San applied Jade Plant leaves to the skin to treat warts, corns, and burns. The plant's juice was also used to soothe sores and skin irritations.
Licorice Plant
Helichrysum petiolare | Kooigoed
Licorice Plant is a trailing herb with velvety, silver-grey leaves and clusters of small, cream-coloured flowers. It grows widely in South Africa.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used the Licorice Plant to treat colds, coughs, and fever. It was also applied to wounds and skin infections for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Lion’s Claw
Leonotis leonurus | Wilde dagga
Lion’s Claw is a tall, bushy plant with bright orange, tubular flowers and long, narrow leaves. It is indigenous to South Africa's grasslands.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Lion’s Claw to treat respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and fever. It was also valued for its calming effects and pain-relieving properties.
Snake Flower
Bulbine frutescens | Kopiva
Snake Flower is a succulent with narrow, fleshy leaves and bright yellow, star-shaped flowers. This plant is commonly found in South Africa's rocky terrains.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San applied Snake Flower gel to treat skin conditions like cuts, burns, and rashes. It was also used to soothe insect bites and cracked lips.
Wild Garlic
Tulbaghia violacea | Wilde knoffel
Wild Garlic, also known as Society Garlic, is a bulbous plant with long, narrow leaves and clusters of lilac or pink flowers. It emits a strong garlic-like scent and is native to South Africa's grasslands and rocky areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Wild Garlic to treat respiratory issues such as colds, asthma, and tuberculosis. It was also believed to repel pests and was planted around homes for protection against evil spirits.
Wild Rosemary
Eriocephalus africanus | Kapokbossie
Wild Rosemary is a fragrant shrub with small, grey-green leaves and tiny white flowers. It is indigenous to South Africa's coastal areas.
Medicinal Uses: The Khoi and San used Wild Rosemary to relieve respiratory problems, including colds and coughs. It was also valued for its antiseptic properties and used in treating headaches.
Animals of the Liesbeek
Cape Clawless Otter
The Cape Clawless Otter is a medium-sized, sleek mammal with a smooth, dark brown coat and a pale, creamy chest. Unlike most otters, it lacks claws on its front feet, giving it remarkable dexterity in handling prey.
Behaviour: This otter is an agile swimmer, often seen gliding gracefully through rivers and coastal waters. It feeds primarily on crabs, fish, and small aquatic creatures, using its sensitive front paws to feel for prey. Cape Clawless Otters are solitary and territorial, and their presence is often an indication of healthy, thriving ecosystems.
Cape Dwarf Chameleon
The Cape Dwarf Chameleon is a small, brightly coloured reptile, often exhibiting hues of green, brown, and sometimes blue or red, depending on its mood and environment. It has a prehensile tail and independently moving eyes, typical of chameleons.
Behaviour: This species is arboreal, spending most of its time in trees or shrubs, where it hunts insects. It is well-known for its ability to change colour as a form of camouflage or communication.
Cape Galaxias
The Cape Galaxias is a small, slender fish with a translucent body marked by dark, zebra-like stripes. Its delicate form allows it to navigate swiftly through the freshwater streams it inhabits.
Behaviour: This fish is an adept swimmer, often seen darting through clear waters in search of small invertebrates. It is a freshwater species, thriving in clean, unpolluted rivers, and is a key indicator of water quality in its environment.
Common Slug-eater
The Common Slug-Eater is a small, non-venomous snake with a slender body and smooth scales. It is typically grey or brown with faint, darker stripes running down its back, and it has a rounded head with small eyes.
Behaviour: This snake is harmless and highly specialised in feeding on slugs and snails. It is often found in moist, grassy areas where its prey is abundant. The Common Slug-eater is secretive and usually active at dusk and dawn, making it less likely to be seen during the day.
Freshwater Crabs
The Freshwater Crab is a small, hardy crustacean with a dark olive-brown shell and sharp claws adapted for gripping and climbing. Its flat, wide body allows it to navigate through rocks and vegetation in the slow-moving streams and rivers where it thrives.
Behaviour: Freshwater Crabs are opportunistic feeders, scavenging for plant matter, small fish, and insects. They play an important role in keeping the waterway clean by breaking down organic debris. These crabs are usually solitary, often spotted foraging at night, and their presence supports a balanced, healthy aquatic ecosystem.
South African Helmeted Terrapin
The South African Helmeted Terrapin is a medium-sized freshwater terrapin with a dark, shell that can vary in colour from olive to brown. It has a broad head with a distinctive, helmet-like shape, which is where its name, "African Helmeted Turtle," is derived.
Behaviour: This terrapin is commonly found in marshes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, where it spends most of its time in the water. It feeds on aquatic vegetation, insects, fish, and small amphibians.
Western Leopard Toad
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Birds of Riverlands
African Spoonbill
The African Spoonbill is a large, white wading bird with a distinctive long, flat bill that ends in a spoon-like shape. Its legs are red, and during the breeding season, it develops a bare red face, adding to its unique appearance.
Behaviour: African Spoonbills are often seen sweeping their spoon-shaped bills from side to side in shallow water, a technique used to catch small fish, crustaceans, and insects. They are social birds, frequently found in small flocks, and their feeding behaviour is usually accompanied by soft grunting sounds. Outside of feeding, they are generally quiet and reserved.
Black-Headed Heron
The Black-Headed Heron is a tall, striking bird with a dark grey body, a black head and neck, and a contrasting white throat. Its long, sharp bill is greyish-yellow, and its legs are black, making it well-adapted for wading in shallow waters.
Behaviour: This heron is often seen alone, standing still or slowly walking through wetlands as it hunts for fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Black-Headed Herons are known for their patience, waiting motionless for long periods before swiftly striking their prey. They are generally silent but may give a harsh croak during flight or when disturbed.
Black-Winged Stilt
The Black-Winged Stilt is a tall, slender wader with long, pink legs and a thin, straight black bill. Its plumage is a striking contrast of white and black, with a white head and body and black wings and back.
Behaviour: These birds are often seen wading in shallow waters, using their long legs to navigate through marshes and mudflats. Black-Winged Stilts feed on small invertebrates, insects, and crustaceans, which they pick from the surface of the water or mud. They are social birds, often seen in flocks, and their high-pitched, yapping calls are a common sound in Riverlands.
Cape Shoveler
The Cape Shoveler is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive large, spatula-shaped bill. Its plumage is a mix of mottled brown and grey,with a pale blue wing patch. The male has a yellow eye, which contrasts with its otherwise subdued colouring.
Behaviour: Cape Shovelers are typically seen in pairs or small groups, sifting through the water with their broad bills to filter out food. They prefer shallow, marshy waters where they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. These ducks are relatively quiet but may produce a soft quacking sound during courtship.
Cape Weaver
The Cape Weaver is a medium-sized bird with a yellow-orange body, a chestnut-brown throat, and a strong conical bill. The male’s plumage becomes especially vibrant during the breeding season, while the female is duller in comparison, with olive-brown upperparts and yellow underparts.
Behaviour: Cape Weavers are also expert nest builders, with the males constructing complex, woven nests that hang from branches. These birds are usually found in large, noisy colonies, where they feed on seeds, insects, and nectar. Their loud, chattering calls are a distinctive feature of the Riverlands soundscape.
Common Sandpiper
The South African Helmeted Terrapin is a medium-sized freshwater terrapin with a dark, shell that can vary in colour from olive to brown. It has a broad head with a distinctive, helmet-like shape, which is where its name, "African Helmeted Turtle," is derived.
Behaviour: This terrapin is commonly found in marshes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers, where it spends most of its time in the water. It feeds on aquatic vegetation, insects, fish, and small amphibians.
Egyptian Goose
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Grey Heron
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Little Egret
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Little Rush Warbler
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Malachite Kingfisher
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Pied Kingfisher
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Southern Double-Collared Sunbird
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Southern Masked Weaver
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
Yellow-Billed Duck
The Western Leopard Toad is a large, striking amphibian native to the Western Cape. It has a distinctive appearance, with a yellow or reddish-brown body covered in bold, dark leopard-like spots. These toads have a robust build, short limbs, and large, expressive eyes. They are primarily terrestrial, often found in gardens and wetlands during the breeding season.
Behaviour: Western Leopard Toads are nocturnal creatures, spending their nights hunting for insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. During the breeding season, they migrate to nearby ponds or slow-moving streams to mate. The males produce a deep, resonant call to attract females, and the resulting egg masses are laid in long strings in the water.
