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Last month we discussed a fine example of the Strangler Fig at a lay-by along the B8 in the Otavi valley between Otavi and Komat. Further eastwards along that same road, etween the turn-off to Rietfontein and the exerimental farm Uitkomst, there is another huge trangler Fig as well as the lovely big Namaqua ock-fig shown on the main photograph. The atter is easily recognizable by the cone of mud nd stones protecting its trunk. These two trees row quite close to each other, while just a coule of kilometres further towards Uitkomst there s a Sycamore Fig, shown on the small inset??. he heart-shaped base of the dull grey-green, eathery leaves of the Namaqua Rock-fig taper nto a pointed tip, hence the botanical name corata. The diagnostic feature of the Sycamore Fig s its almost round, very rough leaf. he Namaqua Rock-fig has a pale grey trunk hile that of the Sycamore is usually quite yelowish. The large fig trees in this area probably we their size to underground water in the Karst ubstrate on which they grow. Near the turn-off o Uitkomst a spring used to bubble under a rove of large fig trees, which sadly died after the ater table of the entire area has dropped due to ncreased pumping of underground water. The Namaqua Rock-f Fig occurs on scattered localities throughout Namibia, but is never abundant but may be locally common. As its common name implies it is always found on rocky ground along dry rivers and on rocky outcrops. Typically, it often grows straight out of cliff faces of the western escarpment, the Naukluft or the Waterberg and other mountains. It is often associated with springs. The figs of this species are about 6 - 8 mm in diameter and grow stalk-less in the leaf axils. They are white, turning yellowish pink with white spots when ripe. Formerly, the bark of the Namaqua Rock-fig was used to tan hides. The fruits attract myriads of fruit-eating birds, insects and insect-eating birds. They are edible but usually infested with insects. Dried and stamped they can be mixed with porridge. The wood is very light and can be used as the base block for making fire by friction. Names: G. Herzfeige; A. Namakwavy; H. omukuyumbwa The large, very rough, almost round leaves and a yellowish to orangey smooth trunk tell us that the solitary tree on the second photo is a Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus). This fig species is quite commonl in the dry river courses of western EILEEN GÄSTEFARM im Erongogebirge Ihre Gastgeber, Rita & Frederik van Alphen, bieten neben ausgezeichneter Verpflegung eine gemütliche, familiäre Atmosphäre. Natürliches Habitat der Leoparden Tel.: +264-64-570837 / Fax: +264-64-570387 E-Mail: erongo@iway.na www.erongo.iway.na Car Hire Windhoek, Nickel Street, Business Park No 6, Prosperita Tel: +264 61 22 33 88 • Fax: +264 61 22 06 50 Cell: 081 148 4712/3 Email: esme@smiling-africansun.com www.smiling-africansun.com Meet the Trees in Namibia’s Road Reserves The Namaqua rock Fig (Ficus cordata) and the Sycamore Fig (F. sycomorus) This huge Namaqua Rock-fig (Ficus cordata) along the B8 between Rietfontein and Grootfontein can easily be identified by the cone of clay and sand protecting its trunk. The most important identifying feature of the Namaqua Rock-fig are lots heart-shaped leaves, blunt to heart-shaped at the base, tapering towards a pointed tip. T 4-2-8 T 7-3-7 Bougain Villas Klein Windhoek Tel.: 061-222221 081 127 9798 Warm up your home/offices/lodges with our special collection on sale. Visit us at our only showroom in Klein Windhoek Windhoek, Nickel Street, Business Park No 6, Prosperita Tel: +264 61 22 33 88 • Fax: +264 61 22 06 50 Cell: 081 148 4712/3 Email: esme@smiling-africansun.com www.smiling-africansun.com 30 June 2009 nature This Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus) is also found along the B8 a few kilometres to the east of the above mentioned Namaqua Rock-fig. Namibia where its intensely green crowns form a particularly striking contrast to the harsh and often very rocky desert surroundings. On the southern slopes of the Waterberg, in the sandy soils north of Etosha and in the Kavango and Caprivi Sycamores often have massively buttressed trunks. The buttressing serves to strengthen the trunk to such an extent that reportedly these trees cannot even be uprooted by elephants. This tree is the Sycamore of the Bible, out of whose light and very durable wood mummy cases were made, which were found in Egypt, intact after thousands of years. Along the Okavango River Sycamore wood is sometimes fashioned into dug-out canoes or drums. Dry wood of this kind is also used as base block for making fire by friction. Making fire by friction involves twirling a pointed hardwood twig between both palms inside a notch in a piece of wood with a large, soft inner core held in place by both feet. Constant friction eventually produces some glowing wood dust, which is very gently blown into a pile of dry grass. The grass ignites and can then be built up into a fire by the judicious addition of dry branches and heavier pieces of wood. Twirling requires so much energy that usually a second person
Sycamore Figs very often develop a highly fluted trunk which serves to anchor them in the soil so well that even elephants cannot uproot them. takes over from the first without interruption of the process – so remember to be grateful for blitz and similar products next time you wish to braai. The Sycamore bears the largest of all indigenous figs in Namibia. The first figs to ripen are said to be sweet and good to eat. Later fruit reportedly do not taste that well and are used to brew an alcoholic drink called “ombike”. An elderly gentleman from the north told me: “Our mothers put us through school on the money they earned brewing this drink”. Fine specimens of these fig trees as well as Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) trees and the Wild Date (Berchemia dis- color) can often be found growing in the mahangu fields in northern Namibia, where they are the property of one particular person who is the sole owner of its fruits. Fruit-eating birds and bats, elephant, giraffe, kudu, duiker, wart hogs, baboons, monkeys and many others feed on the fruit of the Sycamore Fig. The leaves stimulate milk production in cows and are a valuable fodder in semi-arid areas. The large trees provide shelter for many insects, birds, reptiles and small mammals. A strong rope can be made from the tough inner bark. A decoction of the bark and milksap is used as a cough mixture. Skin inflammations are treated with the sap alone. The finely powdered bark is used to treat burns. Names : Ficus sycomorus; G. Waterbergfeige, Sykomore, Maulbeerfeige; E. sycamore Fig; A. wildevy; H. omukuyu In addition – some intriguing facts about the fruits of fig trees. What we call the fruit of a fig tree is in fact the receptacle which thickens to engulf the flowers, while the fruits are the tiny pips inside the fig. Pollination is accomplished by a species of tiny wasp that enters the fig through a small opening at the top. A different species of wasp is associated with each species of fig tree. Thus the survival of these big trees actually depends upon the survival of these tiny wasps. Imagine the loss if these wasps were to be destroyed by the indiscriminate use of pesticides! The characteristic features of Fig trees in Namibia are: simple leaves, usually with smooth margins; smooth pale grey or whitish to yellowish trunks which are often fluted; a sticky white latex exuded by all parts of the tree when injured and the little pointed cap covering the 31 June 2009 growth point of each twig. Armed with this knowledge you will now also be able to identify some additional fig species occuring in Namibia but not easily visible from main roads. They are the Rock-splitting Fig (F. ilicina), usually a rock-creeping shrub found only in rocky areas. Its distribution is similar to that the Namaqua Rock-fig. The Rock-splitting Fig has particularly tough, thick, simple leaves. While it usually covers rocks and cliff faces like a creeper it can also form small trees. The Sandpaper Fig (F. capreifolia) often forms dense thickets along the edge of the Kunene River, while the Hairy Rock–fig (F. glumosa)is confined to rocky places in northwestern Namibia and the Pygmy Fig (F. pygmea)is found as a multi-stemmed shrub in the Popa Falls area along the Okavango River. n advertorial Lapa Lange By Estekke de Bruyn Luise Hoffmann Lapa Lange is one of the new exhibitors at this year’s Namibia Tourism Expo. This haven in nature is located 35 kilometres along the M29 road on the way to Gochas on the edge of the Kalahari. It has sleeping facilities for 21 guests in ensuite self-catering units as well as en-suite rooms which offer a dinner, bed and breakfast service. Camping facilities are also available on the lawn or around the water hole. Lapa Lange’s restaurant offers uniquely Namibian country style cuisine and can also serve a la carte meals when required. Owners, Piet and Ems de Lange, however prefer to introduce visitors to the traditional camp fire experience serving potjiekos and lapa barbecues. This offers a special treat to tourists unfamiliar with this well loved Namibian cooking experience. According to the De Langes their whole philosophy in the operation of Lapa Lange is based on the principle of Namibian “Gemütlichkeit. Lapa Lange has its own take on so the so called Big Eight: beer, braaivleis, biltong, boeretroos (coffee) big fires, black diamond (karakul), boere music and beautiful black ladies in traditional attire. After a feast or a long relaxing walk the rock pool is the ideal place to cool off and wash away every bit of remaining stress. Visitors to Lapa Lange can enjoy a wide range of activities that include walks in the game camp, a game drive or merely relaxing next to the water hole and watching a variety of game come to drink. Twenty different species of game are found on the 1 500 hectare of the lodge. Sun downer trips and dune rides on the red Kalahari dunes are also offered to guests. “Lapa Lange is nature friendly and it is our aim to bring people closer to nature and its wild life,” says Mrs. De Lange. For the foreseeable future Lapa Lange is planning a self-catering tented camp, constructing a Nama/ Damara as well as a San (Bushmen) traditional village together with a cultural centre where the cultures of all Namibia’s ethnic groups will be featured. At Lapa Lange visitors to our country will be able to enjoy a real Namibian cultural learning experience. They will also be able to buy hand made items produced by Nama and San people. Lapa Lange is the ideal stop over for tours into the Kalahari. Light lunches for bus tour groups can be offered or smaller tour groups can spend the night in the rooms or self-catering units. For more information feel free to contact Pieter or Ems de Lange at telephone (00264) (063) – 241801, fax: 088614881 or on either of these cell phone numbers: 0811283445 or 0811291085. They can also be contacted by e-mail at charfarm@mweb.com.na. Visit their website, www.lapalange.com to learn more about this jewel of the Kalahari.
Page 1 and 2: Visit our stall at Presidents Hall,
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Page 5 and 6: expo Two big names in culinary circ
Page 7 and 8: expo Motor show bigger and better t
Page 9 and 10: expo Cape Minstrels are back at the
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Page 19 and 20: Lake Otjikoto is the premier site f
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Page 25 and 26: een coined. After a museums congres
Page 27 and 28: Startpunkt für spannende Safaris D
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Page 35 and 36: südafrika Paradies in den Cederber
Page 37 and 38: eise Der Vogelstrauß: Sein Balztan
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Page 41 and 42: advertorial ‚Little Etosha of the
Page 43 and 44: advertorial Botzwana Tourism By Est

Visit our stall at Presidents Hall, P3 A - Allgemeine Zeitung Namibia

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