 |
| The Critically Endangered Peninsula Silkypuff (Diastella proteoides) thrives on Meadowridge Common. |
Meadowridge Common is a very small (7.9 ha) but valuable remnant of the original Bergvliet Farm (343 ha) that contains as many as 137 different flowering plant species of Cape Flats Sand Fynbos which is the most threatened vegetation type within the City of Cape Town. Bergvliet Farm contained 545 species that were collected by Dr Purcell from 1914 to 1919 and are now housed in SANBI’s Compton Herbarium.
Meadowridge Common is managed by the City of Cape Town's Recreation and Parks Department, together with the Friends of Meadowridge Common. The Friends keep the area clean, maintain paths, remove aliens and keep detailed botanical records of all the plant species present. Floral displays are at their best in spring (September, October) when guided walks are conducted. Fungi, invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals and birds can also be observed.
The Common contains two Critically Endangered plant species: the Peninsula Silkypuff (Diastella proteoides) and Twotone Retro Capegorse (Aspalathus retroflexa subsp. bicolor), three Endangered species: Autumn Bobbejaantjie (Babiana villosula), Lampranthus stenus and Yellow Soldier Viooltjie (Lachenalia reflexa), five Vulnerable species: Hairless Brightfig (Lampranthus glaucus), Gem Tentfig (Ruschia geminiflora), Thistle Sugarbush (Protea scolymocephala), Cluster Spiderhead (Serruria glomerata) and Single Stripper (Lachnaea uniflora), and four Near Threatened species: Cream Satinflower (Geissorhiza imbricata), Star Satinflower (Geissorhiza tenella), Creeping Brightfig (Lampranthus reptans) and Sticky Sand Tulp (Moraea elsiae).
To see a list of birds that occur on Meadowridge Common, click here.
