In
April and May the heavy heat of summer has abated and the weather is mild,
with a welcome hint of coolness in the evenings. If this season is equated
with "fall" on the highveld, it could be that the Lowveld has
two autumns, or two "falls" because many local trees drop all
their leaves just before spring!
One of the highlights of this season is the autumn foliage of Bridelia
micrantha, Mitzeeri or brown stinkwood. |
|
|
|
The Toad Tree, Tabernaemontana elegans, has delightful, twin-lobed
fruits with warty skins, almost like those of toads (Oleander family, Apocynaceae). |
|
Pappea capensis, the Jacket Plum, bears most attractive fruits that
are usually a pale shade of amber, but in some years, for reasons as yet
undetermined, are brilliant red. The flesh around the kernel has a fresh,
tart flavour, like that of lemons. |
|
|
|
The
Lowveld Garden boasts a good variety of barlerias. This striking, white-flowered
Barleria albostellata comes from Northern Province and grows in hot,
dry conditions.
Mean daily temperature
is this period ranges between 12șC (nights) - 25șC (days). Monthly rainfall
is on average 38mm. |
|
|
