We do not always recognise the exact role a plant or animal plays in an ecosystem or nature as a whole. We also seem to give far less value to something that occurs in abundance and is not considered rare or threatened, but be assured that even if it is only food for other animals everything still has a place in the biodiversity of the area it is found in. 

The Slangkop (Ornithoglossum vulgare) for instance has sadly been villainized due to its poisonous bulb and is not looked upon favourably by most livestock farmers who will remove the plants. It can be found in South Africa, Namibia and East Africa and prefers arid and semi-arid areas. It is currently classified as ‘of least concern’ but, like any other indigenous plant it has its place in the natural scheme of things. It has a beautiful arrangement of flowers, with blue-grey leaves and grows to about 30cm. In good rainfalls it can grow even taller. They get a mention in the Bach Flower Remedies and it is a food source for the larva of the Diaphone eumela moth.

The Rooi Slangkop (Drimia sanguinea), with its delicate white flowers has been identified in the CRR and gets its common name from the deep red colour of its highly poisonous bulb. The Drimia sanguinea is also removed by farmers to protect their livestock or for its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti cytotoxicity properties. As a result its status is now Near Threatened.

We understand that farmers may need to put into place certain practices to protect their livestock but in the protected areas of the CRR, as with all the fauna and flora, if it’s indigenous it must stay!

Images credit: 
Wikipedia – Slangkop (Ornithoglossum vulgare)
Wikimedia – Rooi Slangkop (Drimia sanguinea)