Exploring Pigeon Valley: September Bells
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the 36th article in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on September Bells (Rothmannia globosa).
Well, something at least is exactly on time this year. A small tree that is generally inconspicuous and rarely noticed suddenly bursts into a profusion of white blossoms with apricot hearts. This is the Rothmannia globose, or September Bells. Nothing ensures that it is actually in this month, so it could be in August or October, depending on the time it gets warm. It seems little planted by most local gardeners, despite its spectacular show.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: Park management
One of the joys of Pigeon Valley is coming round a seldom-visited section and being confronted by this riotous display and its pervasive sweet scent, as if all this is being done for your benefit. The flowers do not last long, and the seeds are carried in a green sphere that gives the tree its ‘globosa’ name. Monkeys eat these and thus spread the seed. Others stay long on the seed, gradually turning black.
While people often say that Durban has no seasons, there are some distinct markers of change across the year. Indigenous trees are often assumed to lack displays of colour; again, this is based on lack of observation.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
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