the one at the back appears to be eating the Roepera (Zygophyllum) - but maybe it is just bored ...
Southern Africa
Haemodoraceae
Commelinidae---Commelinales
(Liliidae—Liliales (outdated classification))
Updated with iNat links 25 June 2018
Distinguishing Features
1. Underground stem usually has red cell-sap (phenalenones) (no other family in sA contains this sap)
2. Three stamens opposite inner tepals (only other petaloid Monocot family with three stamens is Iridaceae, but they are opposite the outer tepals)
Full description
Compiled by Robert Archer
Habit Perennial, usually tufted, herbs, Stem underground - short rhizome, tuber, or corm, often with red cell-sap (phenalenones). Leaves radical (arising at ground level), sometimes cauline (along the stem), distichous (opposite and lying in the same plane as the leaf pairs above and below), linear (thin, more or less same width for entire length) or ensiform (sword-shaped), sheathing at base. Inflorescence cymes (oldest flower at apex), racemes or panicles, sometimes subumbellate, rarely solitary Flowers bisexual, regular or ± irregular, often glandular-pubescent (covered in glandular hairs) or villous (woolly). Perianth lobes or segments 6, in 1 or 2 whorls; tube absent to long, straight or curved; persistent. Stamens 3 (in all indigenous sA genera, 6 in Anigozanthos, an Australian invader), opposite inner perianth segments; filaments free; anthers 2-thecous, basifixed or versatile, often sagittate (arrow-shaped), opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, inferior, or subinferior, (1, 2), 3-locular, with 1-numerous axile ovules; style filiform; stigma apical, small or trifid. Fruit a loculicidal or septicidal capsule or indehiscent. Seeds solitary to many in each locule.
Worldwide (sthn Afr., Australia and tropical America) 14 genera, ± 100 species; sthn Afr.: 4 genera (1 exotic), ± 11species.
Key to southern African genera
1a. Stamens 6 *Anigozanthos
1b. Stamens 3 2
2a Rootstock a stoloniferous corm; ovary superior, with 1 fertile locule; slender plants with sparse glandular pubescence on raceme, eastern forests Barberetta
2b Rootstock a rhizome; ovary superior, inferior, or subinferior, with 1-3 fertile locules; strong, tufted plants variously pubescent, Western Cape extending to PE 3
3a Ovary inferior; one of the stamens with a larger anther on a shorter filament; leaves ribbed Dilatris
3b Ovary superior; stamens equal; leaves plicate (folded like a fan) Wachendorfia
David Gwynne-Evans has kindly allowed me to use some of his photos.
Tony Rebelo (unwittingly) contributed the stem photo.
Robert (Cassine) generously helped with the genus key, proofreading and some references. Thank you Robert!
References:
Heywood, V. 1993. Flowering plants of the world. Oxford University Press, New York.
Heywood, V, Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A. & Seberg, O. 2007. Flowering plant families of the world. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leistner, O. A. 2000. Seed Plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10.
3612/3 Photo taken by me during a school trip to Mana Pools. The buff charged us while we were taking a morning break - my bag can be seen on its left. It later moved off and the 3 boys came to safety. It had been wounded by a poacher and a few days later it was shot by a ranger.
Resting on an understorey plant. At a quick glance, I initially thought it was a bird dropping. The white hairs give it the appearance of being infected with an entomopathogenic fungi, maybe as a deterrent to predators...? Definitely the most amazing cerambycid I've ever seen!
Update: this species finally has a name! The paper naming and describing it can be freely downloaded from here: https://doi.org/10.54102/ajt.iv1x5
lots of these squeaking on the banks of the retention pond a day after mowing. probably orphaned. short video: https://youtube.com/shorts/opvzVE3kiU0, https://youtu.be/PN_lO-vCwo4