Felicity Writing Away: F - FREYLINIA VISSERI

Good evening

I have, sadly, found another beautiful indigenous South African plant which is on the verge of extinction in the wild. Although I'm thoroughly going through the alphabet of indigenous South African flora, it doesn't do my heart any good to find so many beautiful specimens nearing extinction and, once again, have to thank those with the foresight to cultivate it for domestic enjoyment. Without their intervention, we would have lost this magnificent plant entirely.

Watercolour drawing by Ellaphie Ward-Hilhorst

The sources which I have provided at the end of this post – from the initial research and investigations to gardening tips should you wish to adorn your garden with this lovely plant - give so much more information than I have space for on this Blog and are all well worth a visit.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Freylinia visseri is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the Red List of South African Plants (http://redlist.sanbi.org). In 1954 the owner of Volstruisvlei, a wheat farm in the Hermanuskraal area, enlarged his wheat field and in the process destroyed that whole population of plants. Mr Visser, who realized the rarity of this species, quickly collected four of the ploughed up plants and planted them in his garden at Grootklipfontein (Aurora), where two survived. This species might have been extinct if it weren't for the efforts of Mr Floors Visser.

FREYLINIA VISSERI – CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

Higher Classification            Dicotyledons
Family                                     SCROPHULARIACEAE
Common Names                    Sandveld Honey-bells (e)

DERIVATION OF NAME AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS

The genus Freylinia was named after Count L. de Freylino. The Count was the owner of a famous garden in Buttigliera near Marengo in Italy in the early 19th century. The species name refers to Mr Floors Visser, who through his insight and actions, saved the plant from possible extinction. There are nine species of Freylinia in South Africa of which F. tropica, F. lanceolata and F. undulata make beautiful garden plants. It is interesting to note that long before Mr Visser sent a specimen to Prof Compton, Carl Thunberg (1743-1828) had collected a specimen of this Freylinia on his travels in South Africa which is in the herbarium in Uppsala, Sweden, but he never named this plant or noted exactly where it he collected it.

A 1983 report by Ernst van Jaarsveld and Graham Duncan (included below) seems to have unfortunately not had the desired effect and the update by Ernst van Jaarsveld in 2023, gives the status and criteria for Freylinia-visseri as: Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i,ii); D - Assessment Date 2021/01/21.

FREYLINIA VISSERI GROWING IN THE WILD - A Search and Rescue Report by Aleka Beaumont, researcher for the Flora Conservation Committee.

An article by Ernst van Jaarsveld and Graham Duncan of Kirstenbosch in the March 1983 edition of Veld Sr Flora, spoke of Freylinia visseri, a plant which had apparently become extinct in the wild but had been saved from total obliteration through cultivation. The species was originally collected by Mr Floris Visser who, in 1954, rescued some green sticks from a ploughed field on his uncle’s farm in the Velddrift district and planted them at his home in Aurora. Two of the plants survived and grew into large shrubs. In 1983 cuttings taken from these original plants were cultivated at Kirstenbosch and in March 1992 the Search and Rescue team planted approximately twenty samples of Freylinia visseri on the farm of their origin outside Velddrif. The plants were enclosed by a fence to prevent cattle grazing. Thus far eighteen have survived, a notable achievement considering the dry summer months gone by. Our exciting news is the recent discovery by Geoff Hemm (a nursery owner from Franschhoek) of a large population of FREYLINIA VISSERI GROWING IN THE WILD A Search and Rescue Report by Aleka Beaumont, researcher for the Flora Conservation Committee. Freylinia visseri growing in the wild on a farm near Hopefield. The population is extremely healthy, growing a few hundred metres from the northern banks of the Great Berg River and consists of approximately fifty adult plants on a 5 ha area of strandveld, surrounded by ploughed land. The Search and Rescue team is in the process of contacting the landowner in the hope of ensuring the continued survival of the population. Freylinia visseri is a very attractive multi-stemmed shrub which grows to approximately 3 m in height. Beautiful bell-shaped, purple flowers are carried on the tips of the branches in late spring and summer. The plant grows easily from cuttings or suckers in well-prepared sandy soil and is an ideal garden shrub for difficult and dry, sandy gardens and seaside gardens in both the southwestern and southern Cape.

In situ and in danger from Rooibos trees

This 2023 update from Ernst van Jaarsveld, while including some encouraging developments, sadly details the demise of Freylinia-visseri in the wild due, not as Eucomis comosa (my previous post) to traditional medicines but to the encroachment of commercial farming as outlined below.

JUSTIFICATION

A very rare, long-lived resprouter historically known from two localities. One subpopulation was lost to wheat cultivation in 1954. The other known subpopulation was ploughed in 2016 for Rooibos (Red Bush) tea cultivation. Only 15 mature individuals are left in the wild. The number of mature individuals has declined from 50 plants in 1992 to 15 plants in 2020. It therefore qualifies as Critically Endangered under criteria B, C and D.

DISTRIBUTION

Endemism -South African endemic

Provincial distribution - Western Cape

Range - This species occurs in Velddrif and Hopefield in the Western Cape, South Africa.

HABITAT AND ECOLOGY

Major system - Terrestrial

Major habitats - Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Hopefield Sand Fynbos

Description - Plants grow in deep coastal sands in Sandveld vegetation.

THREATS

Agriculture (wheat farming and potato farming) is a severe past and present threat. Only one of two known historical subpopulations remains. Wegloopersheuwel is a historic record which has now been ploughed. The only known subpopulation at Steenboksfontein was ploughed in 2016 for Rooibos tea cultivation. It had a population of less than 50 individuals, on an island patch between wheat fields and cattle pasture. The farmer had intentions to plough the site to plant potatoes (D. Raimondo pers. comm. with farmer 2005). The future of the species at this site is uncertain. CREW visited the Steenboksfontein site in 2020 and 15 plants had resprouted but occur in a rooibos tea cultivated field. Several surveys have been done on neighbouring farms and no other subpopulations have been found thus far.

POPULATION

The only known subpopulation is currently at the Steenboksfontein farm where it was ploughed up in 2016. 15 plants have resprouted and this species is at high risk of extinction. Several surveys have been conducted in adjacent areas with similar habitats. In the past CREW has monitored this population several times and it has declined from ± 50 plants in 2006 when it was first monitored to between 26 and 30 plants in 2009. When it was ploughed in 2016 we suspected that the population was extinct but fortunately 15 plants resprouted. A second historically known subpopulation was lost to ploughing 1954, it was reintroduced at this site and while 12 plants survive from the reintroduction monitoring in 2023 indicate that no plants have yet recruited and so this reintroduced subpopulation is not considered when calculating population size. The population trend is declining and has become extinct in the wild.

GARDENING

On to the saviours of Freylinia visseri, not in its natural habitat, to be sure but saved from extinction in gardens around the world.

LIFESPAN AND FLOWERING PERIOD

Freylinia visseri has a fascinating lifecycle that spans approximately 1-2 years from seed or cutting to maturity. This timeframe allows the plant to develop its full size and establish a robust presence in your garden. It can live for several years and reaches a height of 1 to 2 metres (3 to 6 feet). Its moderate growth rate means it reaches mature dimensions in about 2-3 years. Flowering typically occurs in late spring to summer, showcasing the plant's beauty. After flowering, seed production begins, allowing for natural propagation and the continuation of the species.

WILDLIFE

Pollinators: Nectar filled flowers attract Sunbirds and insects to the garden. It is a magnet for bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden's biodiversity.

BENEFITS

Drought-Tolerant: It thrives in dry conditions, so is perfect for that often-neglected corner of your garden.

Perennial: It retains foliage throughout the seasons, adding visual interest no matter the time of year.

Privacy: Since they are easy to prune, Freylinia visseri planted as a hedge create a beautiful, natural barrier.

Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care while still delivering stunning results.

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Sources:

http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=1050-9

https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00423203_1246

https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00423203_2496

https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freylinia_visseri

https://greg.app/freylinia-visseri-overview/