Meet Durban’s famous cycad family
These ancient plants are threatened with extinction.
THE focus will be on cycads, those fascinating ‘fossils of plants’ that are believed to be as old as dinosaurs, at a family activity day at the Durban Botanical Gardens.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Man arrested with cycads
Hosted by the Botanical Society of South Africa, KZN Coastal Branch, it takes place this Thursday, June 28, from 12.30pm to 2pm. Botanical boffs, Di Higginson Keath and Suvarna Parbhoo-Mohan, will present this enjoyable event.
They point out that, although ancient, cycads are the most vulnerable plant group in South Africa and are among the most susceptible groups of plants in the world. In South Africa almost 70 percent of our cycad species are threatened with extinction. Four species are on the brink of extinction and seven species have fewer than 100 plants left in the wild.
How did they survive but the dinosaurs died? Join Di and Suvarna on a walk to meet this ancient family of plants in the Botanical Gardens and to hear their stories of survival.
Participants will also be invited to draw a plant or write a story or poem about their cycad experiences for selection for the Botanical Society’s national magazine, ‘Veld and Flora’, so bring a pad of paper, pens, pencils and crayons.
Everyone is welcome. Meet at Durban Botanic Gardens Visitors’ Centre. Entrance including tea is R30 for BotSoc members, R50 for non-members and R20 for students and pupils. Proceeds will be used for BotSoc branch projects.
To book or for more information contact botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
