Previous front page stories

February 2011: Cyrtorchis ringens - an earlier record for Mozambique

In the October 2010 edition of the website, we showcased what we thought was a record of a new orchid species from Mozambique, namely Cyrtorchis ringens. This was found and photographed by Stefaan Dondeyne.

Cyrtorchis ringens
Stefaan Dondeyne. At junction of Nhamadzi and Mussapa grande, in Nhabawa

However, we have since been contacted by Dr Theo Damen of the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis at Wageningen University who informed us that amongst their collections is a specimen of Cyrtorchis ringens, collected by A.R. da Torre, (collector no. 3071) at Cheringoma, near to Inhaminga. The specimen was determined by Stewart, J. in 1973.

It therefore appears that Stefaan's record is not the first for Mozambique.

We see this sort of correction as being a useful function of a website such as this as it enables widely held and uncoordinated information to be assembled in a single place. Indeed we welcome corrections to any of the information on the site and are very grateful to Theo for his comment.

October 2010: Cyrtorchis ringens - a new species for Mozambique

This month we showcase a new orchid species from Mozambique, namely Cyrtorchis ringens. This was found and photographed by Stefaan Dondeyne.

The species is not recorded for Mozambique in either FZ or in Schelpe's 1976 Provisional Checklist of the Orchidaceae of Mozambique.

Cyrtorchis ringens occurs quite frequently on the Zimbabwe side of the highlands so its presence is perhaps to be expected.

Cyrtorchis ringens
Stefaan Dondeyne. At junction of Nhamadzi and Mussapa grande, in Nhabawa

August 2010: David Gwynne-Evans - a new contributor

We would like to welcome another another contributor to the Mozambique flora website, David Gwynne-Evans of Cape Town. David recently visited Inhaca Island and Mount Mabu and has kindly made available images of many plants from those locations. As a start, we highlight Tritonia moggii, a endemic to southern Mozambique.

Tritonia moggii
David Gwynne-Evans, Inhaca Island, Mozambique

June 2010: Ton Rulkens - a new contributor

We would like to highlight the work of another contributor to the Mozambique flora website, Ton Rulkens. Ton kindly sent us some images of two unusual jatrophas, specifically, Jatropha scaposa and J. subaequiloba, both of which are endemic to Mozambique.

Two sample pictures follow below. More may be seen, together with further details, on the species pages linked to above. We are very grateful to Ton for sending us images of such interesting plants.

Jatropha scaposa
Ton Rulkens, Mozambique

Jatropha subaequiloba
Ton Rulkens, Mozambique

February 2010: Records from the north of Mozambique

Most of the records and photographs we have on this site are from the Manica and Sofala provinces of Mozambique, i.e. the division MS used in Flora Zambesiaca. In particular, our records come from Gorongosa Mountain and National Park, the Mozambique side of the Chimanimani mountains, Tsetsera, Levasflor and Catapu.

We do have a few images from the more northern parts of the country. Bart Wursten and Alan Gardiner made a trip to Mt Namuli in Zambezia province and Meg Coates Palgrave to Niassa province. The following 3 pictures were taken in those areas.

Mucuna poggei var pesa
Bart Wursten, Mt Namuli, Mozambique

Protea madiensis
Alan Gardiner, Mt Namuli, Mozambique

Kotschya strigosa
Meg Coates Palgrave
Liconhile, Lago district, Niassa Province, Mozambique

Further records would be welcomed from anyone who visits the northern areas as would records from Tete and the south of the country towards Maputo.

December 2009: Contributors to the website: Stefaan Dondeyne

On our front page this month we showcase some images given to us by Stefaan Dondeyne who has been working on the Mozambique side of the Chimanimani Mountains. Our website has been greatly enhanced by his contribution and we are most grateful to him. Below are a selection of 8 images; click on any image to see a larger version.