Small, crafty, eats geraniums

The Common Geranium Bronze butterfly is widespread, and can easily be attracted into suburban gardens. By Justin Bode Cacyreus marshalli, colloquially known as the Common Geranium Bronze or the Malvabloutjie, is native to South Africa and one of our most … Read More

What’s in a name?

DNA technology is changing the way plants—and especially orchids—are named, as the cases of Orthochilus aculeatus subsp. aculeatus and subsp. huttonii demonstrate. By Gerrit van Ede In the botanical world, name changes occur reasonably frequently due to a number of … Read More

Obituary: BILL MINCHER

One of the founders of Friends of Verloren Valei dies It is with a very sad heart that we announce the passing of Bill Mincher, one of the founding members, and for a long time the treasurer, of Friends of … Read More

Cranes rising

Why the crane breeding project at Verloren Valei was terminated, and some good news about growth in the numbers of Wattled Cranes. By James van den Heever In an earlier article, “The crane conundrum”, I explored some of the issues … Read More

Meet the Widow

The Alpine Widow butterfly is a denizen of high-altitude grasslands and so may be seen at Verloren Valei. By Justin Bode Restricted to the high-altitude grassland in the Steenkampsberg and above Machadodorp, Dingana alticola, the Alpine widow or Alpynse-weduwee, is … Read More