Obs Moraea flower a rare find

In Observatory, September marks the anticipated blooming of the Moraea aristata, one of Obs' unique natural treasures.

The Moraea aristata is a type of Peacock Moraea flower that is characterized by its white petals marked with light to deep blue "eyes".

This flower is critically endangered in the wild.

The Liesbeek River banks and area around the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is one of the few places it grows naturally.

But residents are told not to be alarmed if not many of the Moraeas are spotted this year as flowering may be a little delayed.

Louise Badenhorst of the SAAO said that usually the first week of September is the best time for the Moraeas to bloom, but at the moment there are hardly any flowering.

"My guess would rather be that the majority are taking a rest year. Moraeas do occasionally skip a year," she said.

She added that the Renosterveld vegetation and various other bulbous plants are abundant and flowering in the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) area.

"The original vegetation of the Observatory site is classified by botanists as Peninsula Shale Renosterveld.

It is found on clay rich soils derived from the underlying shale geology and typically has a large number of bulbs.

"This vegetation type is critically endangered and warrants conservation wherever possible," Louise said.