IN PHOTOS: Flora lovers say aloe to Lowveld National Botanical Garden

The Lowveld Botanical Society, Botsoc Lowveld for short, spent about an hour and a half in the Lowveld National Botanical Garden taking a look at all the different aloes it has to offer.

The chairperson of the society, Frank Webb, said they are by no means experts on aloes, or any other species, for that matter.

The group of people wander the pathways of the garden with books in hand attempting to identify the various plants they encounter.

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Wendy Williams, responsible for marketing the society, said they are more of a society that appreciates plants.

“Every second month we are here, and the alternate months somewhere else. We have been to Kaapsehoop and looked at the aloes, so we came here and looked at them, too.

“I do not know nothing about plants, so we try and learn more and try to get more people involved. Events like these are open to anyone.”

She explained that you could join the society if you wanted, and that this gave you the added bonus of entering any botanical garden across the country for free.

All information on how to join and the fees involved may be found on the Botanical Society of South Africa’s website. Branch-specific information can be found here.

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The committee raises funds that go towards repairs and upgrades in the garden. The walkway, for example, is one of the structures the society has fixed.

It is also planning an archway for creeper plants. Walking through the garden, you will see a plant identification section that goes into detail about the various characteristics of leaves.

Webb mentioned that they would previously have had seminars during which various species would be discussed, but that he much preferred the physical walking and identifying process. “You never forget a thing.”

The society usually meets every third Saturday of the month.