Search

Lachenalia(Asparagaceae; Scilloideae; Hyacintheae) is a large and morphologically diverse genus of more than 140 bulbous species endemic to southern Africa. Previous attempts to infer a well‐resolved and robustly supported phylogeny of Lachenaliausing Sanger sequencing of candidate loci and/or morphological characters have been largely unsuccessful. Consequently, the current infrageneric classification is artificial, and there is a need to explore alternative avenues to produce a phylogenetic classification. In this paper, we present a novel phylogenetic hypothesis for Lachenaliainferred using maximum likelihood and coalescent‐based species tree estimation (ASTRAL) as applied to 378 hybrid‐enrichment loci. Our tree is well resolved and well supported, providing strong support for a monophyletic radiation of the genus in southern Africa and a solid foundation for a revised infrageneric classification. The well‐supported placement of L. isopetalaJacq. as sister to Lachenalia+ Massoniasupports the establishment of a new monotypic genus, Pseudolachenalia, to accommodate this species. Conversely, the inclusion of species previously classified as Polyxenawithin the Lachenaliaclade supports the transfer of these species to Lachenalia. Within Lachenalia, the delimitation of subgenera and sections is complicated by the highly imbalanced character of the phylogeny and by the high levels of homoplasy shown by most morphological characters traditionally used to delimit species in this group. Nonetheless, we propose an infrageneric taxonomy comprising 10 morphologically distinct, monophyletic sections. The largest of these, L. sect. Lachenalia, is further divided into 13 more‐or‐less diagnosable, monophyletic subsections. Keys to the sections of Lachenalia, and to the subsections of L. sect. Lachenalia, are provided.

The use of credentials in an ecclesiastical context is a means of assuring that a minister is who he or she claims to be and is therefore trained and qualified to exercise ministry within a particular church tradition as determined by individual denominations. The concept and use of credentials has developed over time. Using primary sources in the main, this article examines the use of credentials as a tool for ‘inclusion’ or a means of ‘exclusion’, or both, in the history of the largest Presbyterian church in Southern Africa and its predecessors. The research question under study is to what degree, if any, were credentials used to control ministers and to cleanse and purify the church of radical – such as anti-apartheid – elements?

When we contemplate ecumenism in South Africa in the twentieth century, we often automatically think of the outstanding work of the South African Council of Churches during the years of apartheid. However, it had two precursors in the General Missionary Conference of South Africa (1904–36) and the Christian Council of South Africa (1936–68). Parallel yet integral to these developments we note the significant contribution of the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. These did not originate or exist in a vacuum but responded to the needs and currents in society and were active in the midst of para-movements such as the Christian Institute.

The article features the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa. A background is offered on the establishment of the garden in 1911 which is allegedly considered to be the largest of the nine-garden network of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and one of the seven major botanical gardens of the world. Also explored are programmes on environment and biodiversity conservation and its partnership with the Botanical Society (BotSoc).

The article focuses on the flower species Pseudogaltonia clavata. The egg-shaped bulbs grow during the summer and have a fibrous outer coat. It cautions that the bulbs contain a lethal poison that may result in irregular heartbeats and sudden death. Information on seed propagation is also presented.

The article discusses three colorful climbing plants from Africa. Accordingly, Gloriosa superba and Sandersonia both have high appeal in horticulture as conservatory and glasshouse plants. Gloriosa superba was introduced into cultivation in Europe in 1687 where it was grown at the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam which brought from India by Dutch botanists. In addition, the plant prefers full sun or bright light but it also flower in semi shade under the typical condition.

The article discusses the genus Eucomis and some of its lesser known species as plants for the garden. The plants are native to the South of Africa and some of the species have dwarf habits and unusual foliage. The plants generally have a long season of interest with decorative seeds on display after the flowers die back.

The article focuses on the Tritonia summer-flowering iridaceous genus. It says that the plant lives in different habitats in South Africa, from arid rocky slopes of the southern Richtersveld to high rainfall parts of the northern Drakensberg. English botanist J. B. Ker-Gawler named the plant after the Latin word triton meaning weathervane.

Presents letters to the editor in response to articles in previous issues including "The friends of Tygerberg Hills," by Karen Marais, an article on the occurrence of the plant Moraea aristata at Kirstenbosch and another on the provisions of the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance No. 19 of 1974.

The article examines the habitats and characteristics of the Haemanthus and offers advice for the grower in Great Britain. The plant's ornamental qualities, distribution, common species and growth periods are described. Plant cultivation, pest and control issues, and plant propagation are explained.

Presents information on the exquisite bulb Lachenalia sargeantii found in Western Cape, South Africa. Background on the discovery of the plant in 1970; Characteristics of the plant; Cultivation and propagation.

Focuses on spring-flowering irid, Gladiolus aureus. Habitat; Extinction of the plant; Propagation.

Provides information on Amaryllis (A) belladonna or March Lily, a Cape bulb in South Africa. Cultivation of A. belladonna; Ways A. paradisicola and A. belladonna are propagated; Damages caused by the lily borer or amaryllis caterpillar on the bulb.

Features the Kirstenbosch Bulb Terrace in South Africa. Reasons behind the cultivation of bulb species inside the Kirstenbosch bulb nursery; Description of the Bulb Terrace; Requirements for cultivating winter-growing bulbs; Purpose of planting Gloriosa superba, a dwarf form of plant.

Features the genus Veltheimia flowering plant. History of the plant's taxonomy; Character of its leaves and flower that is distinct to Veltheimia; Geographical distribution; Phenology of the plant; Amount of sunlight and water suitable for propagation.

The article reports that a new colour form of Dietes (D) bicolor or wood iris or peacock flower in English, a small evergreen genus of Iridaceae, was found growing near the Mzamba River in Pondoland, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It states that Dietes bicolor of Mzamba River has cream inner and outer tepals, semi-circular nectar guide on outer tepals and the tepal claw is devoid of orange dots while the tepals of typical forms are obovate and narrower. It notes that D. bicolor has horticultural potential as a novel garden and landscape plant.

Presents information on the ginger lily variety Siphonochilus aethiopicus. Medicinal properties of the flower; Description of the plant's leaves; Background on the development of the hermaphrodite clones of the plant by horticulturist Geoff Nichols in the 1980s; Tips on growing the plant; Propagation of the plant.

Highlights a virtual reality (VR) environment developed for treating phobias. How the VR was developed; Symptoms of podium panic; Comparison between VR and real audience.

Reports on a stove created by Bosch-Siemens, a German electronics company, that controls the temperature of pans being heated on an electric stove. Infrared sensors that monitor the heat of pans; Adjustments made by the stove to remain at the desired temperature.

Reports on the robots created by the artificial intelligence department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Robots built to learn as a baby would; Creation of the robot Kismet, a disembodied head; Variety of emotions available to Kismet; Humanoid robot Cog; How advances learned through Kismet will be passed on to Cog.

The article offers information on the planting and propagation of Pseudogaltonia clavata or the desert coconut. The plant, which is an endemic to southern Africa in the northern Richtersveld, Namibia and Botswana, occurs naturally in large colonies on dry stony flats, rocky hillsides and ravines. The plant is described to have a large, egg-shaped bulb that can grow up to 120 millimeters in diameter. It states that the plant is suited to cultivation in large containers and rock garden pockets. Also cited is the suggested watering frequency.

The article offers information on Nerine ridleyi, a robust fynbos endemic rarely seen in flower. Nerine ridleyi is the least known winter-growing nerines, both in terms of taxonomy and cultivation. It grows at fairly high altitude, and usually in steep, moist and rocky sandstone ravines. Nerine ridleyi is characterized as having an extremely erratic flowering behavior. A brief history of the plant is also provided.

The article offers information on Boophone disticha, an indigenous plant that have traditionally been used in southern Africa for food, medicine, crafts and charms. Boophone disticha is also called century plant because it is capable of living for a hundred years or more. Particular focus is given to the bulb's anatomy and growth forms. It can be found in grasslands and rocky areas. Some of the major theats to its survival include habitat loss and heavy harvesting for traditional medicine.

The article describes the plant species Hessea cinnamomea found to be endemic at the Cape of Good Hope Natural Reserve in South Africa. A plant that is wholly dependent on the effects of fire for its flowering, H. cinnamomea appeared due to an autumn fire that swept the reservation in 2007. Subsequent rains caused the plant to flower in the reservation from June to July. The cultivation of the plant is also described.

The article reports that the endemic geophyte Watsonia stenosiphon put on a display in late October and early November 2006 in the Grootbos Private Nature Preserve in South Africa, following a severe fire that raged across the Stanford-Gansbaai area of the southern Cape in early February 2006. The plants is a dwarf species restricted to the coastal belt extending from Kleinmond in the west to Potberg in the east. German apothecary and naturalist Baron C. F. Ludwig, collected the plant for the first time in 1826.

This article focuses on the rediscovery of the plant Lachenalia sargeantii in South Africa. This plant was last seen near Bredasdorp in 1971. But this plant appeared in 2005 and in 2006 near Bredasdorp. It features pink and ivory flowers that blooms in the first summer season following a fire. This plant remains dormant after its flowering period.

The article presents information on the plant Nerine pusilla. Background of the discovery of N. pusilla by German botanist Moritz Kurt Dinter is provided. The leaves and flowers of N. pusilla are described and compared to Amocharis nerinoides. A study of the species of Nerine has found out a correlation among the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content, growth cycle and leaf width among other morphological characters of the plant.

Provides information on growing the Clivia mirabilis, an added species to the genus Clivia, discovered by Johannes Afrika in a nature reserve in Bokkeveld escarpment in South Africa. Cultivation; Propagation; Ways to acquire seedlings.

Offers advice on cultivating two species of the flowering genus Nerine in South Africa. Nerine gibsonii; Nerine pancratioides or white nerine.

Provides information on Lachenalia valeriae, a bulb specie from the Namaqualand, South Africa. Difference between Lachenalia framesii and Lachenalia valeriae; Description of the Karoo biome; Reason for naming the bulb after Valerie Fay Anderson, a contemporary botanical artist.

The article offers information on Moraea insolens, an endangered cormous plant found in Caledon, South Africa, including conservation, flower characteristics, and cultivation.

A photograph of a fleeting white amaryllid flower at Kirstenbosch, South Africa is presented.

The article presents a photograph featuring Satin Flowers or Geissorhiza radians.

The article presents obituaries for Australian Clay Target Association Inc. member William Henry (Bill) Jones and West Wyalong Life Member Warren Brettschneider.

The poem "Inventory Man," by Graham Duncan is presented. First Line: He counts whatever's handy; Last Line: tens, hundreds, thousands...

Presents the poem "Bookbridge," by Graham Duncan. First Line: Even if we read it; Last Line: timely, timely.

Presents the poem "Never Say You're an Only Child," by Graham Duncan.

Presents the poem "Limbo," by Graham Duncan.

Provides information on how to grow Peruvian daffodil or Paramongaia weberbaueri. Description of Paramongaia found in western Peru and Bolivia; Soil mix for Paramongaia; Propagation of Paramongaia using seeds.

Presents the poem "Intervals," by Graham Duncan.