From page 15
green and smooth above and pale green or whitish below with short, dense hairs. White, cream or pale pink flowers appear from November to April. Green, spongy fruits which turn brown and woody and split to release numerous blackish seeds. This too is poisonous, causing skin irritation. You will notice that none of your livestock will go near it. ❑ Pampas grass( Cortaderia selloana) – Vigorous, tussock grass up to 3,5m in diameter, with flowering stalks up to 4m high. Greyish- or bluish-green leaves with rough margins. Silvery-white to pink or mauve, feathery inflorescences appear from February to April. This grass invades river banks and seasonally wet habitats. It forms large clumps which displace smaller
Pampas grass( Cortaderia selloana)
INVASIVE PLANTS indigenous species. ❑ Cat ' s claw creeper( Dolichandra unguis-cati) – This is an invasive evergreen climber, climbing as high as 9m with clawlike tendrils between the bright green oblong to lanceshaped leaves, which have a terminal, three-part, claw-like tendril. The bright yellow flowers appear from September to February and are trumpetshaped, occurring in clusters of two or three, sometimes solitary. Flattened, brown leathery capsules hold the winged, papery seeds. This climber invades forest margins, woodlands, plantations, roadsides and urban open spaces. It overtops, strangles and smothers indigenous forest and
Continued on page 19
Cat ' s claw creeper( Dolichandra unguis-cati)
17 www. sasmallholder. co. za