Molopo Game Reserve Jeff W Morris

A Guide to the Reserve and Environs

 Molopo Visitor Guide

Preface
This Guide is one of three that cover the Provincial Game Reserves of the Western part
of North-West Province, South Africa.
The guides are a work in progress and new versions will be made available as and when
the material is ready.
The latest versions of these guides may be found at the following sites:
Botsalano: https://tinyurl.com/Botsalano-Game-Reserve
Mafikeng: https://tinyurl.com/Mafikeng-Game-Reserve
Molopo: https://tinyurl.com/Molopo-Reserve-Visitor-Guide
Version 10.1 saved: 2022-05-30

The cover aerial photograph by Erica Schultze of the fossil Phephane valley looking west
illustrates the influence of wind direction on sand distribution (see text). Ochre-coloured
Kalahari sands are exposed on the northern slope (foreground) and pale rocks of the
Lonely and Eden Formations outcrop on the southern bank in the mid-distance.

All photos and maps by the author, except as acknowledged.

Jeff W Morris
jeffwmorris@gmail.com

Abstract
This guide provides an introduction for a serious visitor or tourist to the physical
environment and some biota of the Molopo Game Reserve, North-West Province, South
Africa. The climate, topography, geomorphology and geology are described briefly. The
prehistory of the Molopo River which forms one boundary is presented with a note on
paleoclimate reconstructions. An explanation is proposed for the fossil Phephane River
valley, which flows through the Reserve, being largely devoid of Kalahari sand on the
southern side while a layer of typical ochre sand covers the northern side, spilling into
the valley bottom.
The vegetation and common plants are described with illustrations. Photographs of
common birds are included.
Tourist facilities are enumerated.
Maps of topography, infrastructure, geology and vegetation are included. Lists of birds,
mammals and plants are given in Appendices.

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Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Prehistory of the area ......................................................................................................................... 6
Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Climate change................................................................................................................................ 9
Rivers – prehistoric and present ..................................................................................................... 9
Extra-terrestrial impacts nearby ................................................................................................... 10
Influence of prehistoric wind regime on sand transport .............................................................. 11
Present climate ................................................................................................................................. 12
Topography ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Vegetation......................................................................................................................................... 13
Reconnaisance survey of woody plants ............................................................................................ 14
Phephane scrub (G)....................................................................................................................... 14
Silver clusterleaf savanna (B) ........................................................................................................ 15
Kalahari thorn savanna-woodland (P)........................................................................................... 15
Some common trees ......................................................................................................................... 16
Some common herbs and creepers .................................................................................................. 19
Some exotic plants ............................................................................................................................ 25
Birds and Birding ............................................................................................................................... 26
Hunting and game capture ............................................................................................................... 28
Accommodation ................................................................................................................................ 28
Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................... 29
References ........................................................................................................................................ 30
Appendix 1. Large mammal and ostrich counts................................................................................ 31
Appendix 2. List of bird species from SABAP2 records. .................................................................... 32
Appendix 3. Bird observations from Hudson (2004). ....................................................................... 34
Appendix 4. Lists of common plant species ...................................................................................... 35

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Introduction
The Molopo Game Reserve is located 250km northwest of Vryburg on the border with
Botswana in the far western corner of the North-West Province of South Africa (Map 1).
It is open to the public with one camping area. Mainly because of distance from the
populated areas of South Africa and limited infrastructure, the Reserve does not have a
large visitor influx. The Reserve is 24 000 ha in extent and the very flat topography is
covered with relatively undisturbed, open arid savanna. It offers a unique wilderness
experience to the wildlife enthusiast. Visitors are allowed the freedom not experienced in
many other reserves of being able to leave their vehicles and explore on foot. Night
drives can be arranged. The roads, tracks and infrastructure are shown on Map 2.
The Reserve was established in 1987 and has been restocked with game from other
parks and reserves over the years. Today it has herds of eland, blue wildebeest,
gemsbok, kudu, zebra and springbok, as well as numerous steenbok and duiker. Smaller
numbers of giraffe, impala, ostrich, red hartebeest, warthog and waterbuck occur.
Cheetah, brown hyena, caracal, black-backed jackal, African wildcat, honey badger and
the small spotted genet are also resident in the Reserve, although unlikely to be seen.
Hunting concessions in the winter months unfortunately make the larger animals rather
skittish and difficult to photograph. Many of the game and bird species found in the
Reserve are endemic to the semi-desert regions of South Africa.
The dry Molopo River valley which forms the border between South Africa and Botswana
in this area has a fascinating prehistory which is described in detail. A special feature of
the Reserve is the fossilised Phephane River bed which can be visited and explored. This
tributary of the Molopo, which is many millions of years old, once carried large volumes
of water.
This guide introduces the climate, hydrology, geology, prehistory, vegetation and wildlife
of the Reserve. The accommodation for tourists is also described.

Map 1. Location map.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Map 2. Roads, tracks and infrastructure of the Molopo Game Reserve.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Prehistory of the area

In this chapter the author will attempt to paint a picture of the prehistory of the area in
which the Reserve lies, starting with the origin of South Africa and stepping through
times of geological upheaval until the present. Although it may seem complicated, you
will find it fascinating.
The impact of an asteroid at Morokweng (Map 1), near the Molopo Game Reserve, about
146Ma1 did more than form a huge crater. It was partly responsible for dramatically
changing the course of the Molopo River. However, we need to delve even further back
in time to tell the story from the beginning.
Geology
Before the southern continents of Africa, South America, Australia and the Indian
subcontinent arrived at their current positions they were part of a vast, flat landmass
called Gondwana underlain by the very first rocks known on Earth which date from
2.8Ga, a period known to geologists as the Precambrian. There is evidence that this
surface was covered by an ice sheet, up to one kilometre thick in places 2 at about
290Ma. The ice sheet lasted for 20-30Ma. The Molopo Game Reserve was then in the
region of today's South pole or near Marion Island. As Gondwana drifted towards the
tropics, the ice melted and glaciers retreated leaving Dwyka tillite behind by 280Ma.
Dwyka tillite consists of large chunks of rock, gravel and fine material from the
abrasion caused by churning in a layer of ice. This unsorted rock detritus was left behind
and was consolidated over time to form a rock. It is not exposed on the surface in the
Reserve but is known from borehole drillings to occur beneath Vorstershoop and near
Bray (Map 1), evidence of the dramatic geological prehistory of South Africa. It is the
oldest stratum of the Karoo Supergroup (Table 1). Most of the rocks we see in South
Africa were laid down on this surface, culminating with the volcanic outpourings that
formed the Drakensberg and the Great Escarpment around 180Ma. No other
representatives of the Karoo Supergroup are found in or near the Reserve.
As southern Africa developed as a separate subcontinent around 145-125Ma with seas
along the eastern, southern and western margins, river valleys were carved out, draining
water from the Great Escarpment to these seas. The central area, today the Kalahari
Basin, subsided and rivers Table 1. Sedimentary rocks of Molopo Game Reserve
brought rock, sand and mud from from youngest to oldest. Codes refer to mapped units
the periphery of the basin into the on Maps 4 and 5. From Gabrielli (2003), Haddon (2005),
lower-lying areas to form the Malherbe (1992) and Nash (1992).
sedimentary rocks of the Kalahari
Group we find there today (Table Supergroup Group Formation
1). Climate conditions varied from Alluvium (not mapped)
hot and humid to dry and cold
over time resulting in the Kalahari Lonely (Q1)
formation of different kinds of Gordonia (Qg)
substrate. The former lead to the
development of extensive, Eden (Te3, Te2, Te1)
Karoo Dwyka (not exposed in the Reserve)

1
One million years in geological terms is represented by “Ma” meaning “Mega annum”. One billion
years (one thousand million) is abbreviated as “Ga” for “Giga annum” and "Ka" for "Kilo annum".
2 For comparison, the present ice layer in Antarctica averages 2.5 km thick with a maximum of 4.8 km

(NSF, USA).

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Map 3. Geology of the Phephane River valley from Gabrielli (2003).

shallow fresh-water lakes while the latter resulted in sandy, desert-like conditions.
The oldest rocks of the Kalahari Group found here belong to the Eden Formation dating
from around 20Ma in the Tertiary period.
Green to pale-green and red sandstones
are exposed along the banks of the
Molopo and Phephane Rivers (Maps 3 and
4). It is not easy to reach the bank of the
Molopo within the Reserve as the
international border fence interferes. The
Phephane River valley is easier to study
for both Eden and Lonely Formation
rocks. The sandstone is interspersed by
layers of gravel and pebbles. All the
evidence points to the formation being
formed in a shallow, water-filled basin or
braided river system on a surface of low
relief. It is not known how deep this layer
is but it is estimated at 10m.
The sandstones are overlain by a
prominent 4-5m thick calcrete layer. Be
on the look-out for vertical to sub-vertical
channels in the calcrete which may
indicate the former presence of roots and
stems of plants, long-since decayed, or of
burrowing organisms. Calcrete formed
under conditions of alternating wet and
dry periods. Huge lakes which are
postulated to have occurred here are
described later.

Map 4. Geology of the Molopo River valley from Gabrielli (2003)

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The Gordonia Formation is considered the

largest expanse of sand in the World, covering
2.5 million km2 from the Orange (Gariep)
River to the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. Its extent in South Africa was even
greater in times past. The origin of this sand
has been debated at length. According to
Thomas & Shaw (1991) it is likely that
different parts of the sand sea originated in
different ways, largely dependent on the
underlying bedrock. It almost certainly formed
from the weathering of sandstone bedrock
under an arid climate. It is considered to have Eden formation sandstones overlain by a calcrete
been formed during the Miocene and Pliocene layer in the Phephane River bed.
epochs between 23My and 2.6My.
Most of Molopo Game Reserve is covered by unconsolidated aeolian sand of this
Formation, popularly known as the Kalahari sands. The sand is mostly ochre in colour
although light-brown variants are also found. The dominant mineral is quartz and the
colour is due to a coating of iron oxides on the
quartz grains, a process known as rubification.
The sand has not been swept into linear dunes as
it has further to the west in the Kgalagadi
Transfrontier National Park, for example. It is, on
average, about 3m thick although up to 60m thick
in places further north.
There are shallow depressions and ephemeral
pans (playas) scattered throughout the sea of
sand covered with fine grey silt and a dark, clay-
rich soil, reminiscent of the alluvium of river beds.
The Lonely Formation consisting of the youngest
Kalahari sand in late-afternoon light.
rocks in the Reserve dates from the Quaternary
period, about 15Ka and thus of relatively recent origin.
It consists of diatomaceous limestones laid down in
shallow lake conditions with some aquatic vegetation or
along sluggish-flowing rivers. It is found exposed in
patches along the banks of the Molopo and Phephane
Rivers. The limestone is soft, white in colour and light
in weight. It contains a high percentage of fossil
diatoms and fresh-water
snail shells. (Diatoms are
Lonely formation limestones in the the skeletal remains of
bed of the Phephane River. dead unicellular organisms
which lived in water.) Thick
layers of these microscopic organisms indicate that a
shallow lake was in existence here for a long period.
Occurrences of Kalahari Group alluvium are not mapped
as they occupy very small areas in parts of the beds of the
rivers and some pan (playa) areas. One can imagine that
Possible fossil shell.
these could be traces of the bed of the Molopo River when it
meandered a different course across this very flat landscape.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

The material is fine grey silt and a dark clay-rich

soil where stagnant water occurs on occasion.
Climate change
The reality of climate change is all but
universally acknowledged. In South Africa
extremes of rainfall and temperature are now
regularly recorded as evidence for this in the
short term. The climate has also changed
repeatedly through times past. Evidence of a
number of cooler, dryer periods interspersed
with warmer, wetter ones has been found
The Phephane River valley at Phiri campsite
throughout the Cenozoic, which covers the past
showing Kalahari sand in the foreground and
65Ma (Tyson and Partridge 2000). The cooler
valley-bottom alluvium in the middle distance.
periods had mean annual temperatures falling
by 2oC and precipitation of 40% less and
the warmer periods found temperatures 5-
6oC higher and precipitation up to 20%
higher (Meadows 2012). Although the
differences in average temperature and
rainfall seem small, it is the extremes that
go towards making up the averages that
are significant.
Rivers – prehistoric and present
Rivers carved their courses over the
surface of the Kalahari Basin as it formed
(see above). The postulated Karoo River
drained an enormous catchment area
towards the Atlantic Ocean (Map 5). The
proto-Molopo River, flowing south, was a
tributary of this river at about 105Ma in a
geological period known as the
Cretaceous. A second major river, The
Kalahari, flowed further north from the
area of the Kalahari Gemsbok Transfrontier Map 5. Reconstruction of the mid-Cretaceous drainage of
Park, reaching the sea near Port Nolloth. southern Africa. (from Haddon 2005).

Later warping and tilting of the continent

towards the west along the Griqualand-Transvaal axis
(the dotted line in Map 5) caused great changes to the
drainage pattern of the area. The lower Orange (Gariep)
River developed from the Karoo River with a sharp bend
northward near Prieska. The same tilting and fracturing
of the earth as well as an asteroid impact lead to the
Molopo River changing to its present westward-trending
course on the border between South Africa and Botswana
(Map 1) (Bootsman 1998, Cole 1966, King 1963).
As the southward-flowing proto-Molopo gradually dried
up with the tilting of the Kalahari basin towards the west
the water will have built up until finding a release to the Map 6. Large shallow lakes in the Molopo
catchment in Middle Tertiary times. Molopo
west. This is likely to be the source of the vast shallow
Game Reserve marked *. (from Haddon 2005).
lakes shown in Map 6 which probably covered the
southern part of the Molopo Game Reserve.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Today, the Molopo is considered a

fossil river by geographers and
geomorphologists because there is
no longer a permanent flow in the
area of the Molopo Game Reserve or
downstream thereof. It can be
described as an episodic river. There
is, however, evidence of strong
water flows along its course in times
past. Some postulate that previously
it carried four times the volume of
the present-day Orange (Gariep)
River. It rises in dolomite country
near Lichtenburg at Molopo Oog and
The Molopo River in flood at a weir near Vergeleë; meanders through the Mafikeng
January 2022. Game Reserve (Morris 2021) before
forming the border between South
Africa and Botswana. As a result of water abstraction and the construction of weirs, it no
longer carries surface water except for local flows immediately after very heavy
downpours. Flow at Molopo Game Reserve probably last occurred thousands of years
ago, and definitely not in living memory. Water is known to reach Bray, between
Mafikeng and the Molopo Game Reserve, in some years according to Rex Barnard (pers.
comm. 2021). The author observed the river in flood at Vergeleë in January 2022.
The present-day Molopo (and possibly the postulated Kalahari River) carved a narrow
gorge at Riemvasmaak in ages past and joins the Orange (Gariep) River below the
Augrabies Waterfalls. Strong erosion over a lengthy period would have been necessary
to carve this valley, further proof that large volumes of water once flowed in the Molopo
River.
Extra-terrestrial impacts nearby
Two noteworthy extra-terrestrial objects have crashed into the earth near the Molopo
Game Reserve (Map 1). The first is possibly the oldest impact on Earth discovered to
date. The second is much more recent, being timed to occur after the break-up of
Gondwana. The latter may rank amongst the largest known terrestrial craters.
An investigation of the Setlagole meteor site was published by Anheusser et al. (2010).
They date the impact at 2.79-2.71Ga and speculate that the impact zone may have been
a shallow lake and that the impact caused a tsunami capable of moving even large
boulders over long distances. It had a crater between 25 and 30km in diameter. This
meteor landed long before the break-up of Gondwana and there is nothing to be seen on
the surface now.
The Morokweng crater has been confirmed to be an asteroid impact structure dating
from about 146Ma (McDonald et al. 2001, Andreoli 2006). There is no evidence of the
crater at the surface now and it was discovered by magnetic and gravimetric surveys. In
2006 geologists discovered fragments of the asteroid in a borehole 770m below the
surface. The crater was huge with a diameter of at least 80km and, possibly, up to
170km in diameter. The asteroid itself is estimated to have been five to 10km in
diameter. The impact zone lies on one of the postulated courses of the southward
flowing proto-Molopo River (see Map 6).

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Influence of prehistoric wind regime on sand transport

One final prehistoric phenomenon needs description before turning to the present. A
satellite image of the Kuiseb River, Namibia (Fig. 1), illustrates the effect of wind on
sand distribution. South of the river, sand is blown northwards into the river bed and is
then washed out to sea during flood episodes. The northern bank of the river is denuded
of sand dunes. A similar phenomenon may have been observed in the Molopo Game
Reserve but needs further scientific study.
In places, Kalahari sand spills from the surrounding sand beds into the valley of the
fossil Phephane River while at other
places rocks of the Lonely and Eden
Formations of the Kalahari Group
on the edge of the valley are swept
relatively clean of sand.
The course of the Phephane River is
generally from east to west through
the Molopo Game Reserve (Map 3).
In late Cenozoic times (around
10Ma), the prevailing northerly
winds (Map 7) swept the sand from
north to south, spilling into the
valley on the northern slope and
denuding an area of the southern Figure 1. Kuiseb valley, Namibia (Jesse Allen, NASA GSFC, based
slope of sand. The strongly-flowing on data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and Landsat
river would then have carried the 7. - NASA).
sand downstream. The phenomenon is illustrated in the following photos. For this to be
effective one assumes that there was no, or very little vegetation to prevent the free
movement of sand under the influence of strong
wind (aeolian transport).
As a result of present-day lush tree and grass
cover there is very little aeolian transport of
sand. According to Thomas et al. (2005) very
small changes in virtually any combination of
temperature increase, precipitation reduction,
soil moisture loss and stronger winds can be
expected to result in loss of vegetation cover
and re-mobilisation of sand beds. Climate
changes were described earlier. An incongruity
that the author cannot reconcile is that dry
conditions would be necessary to reduce
vegetation cover while wetter conditions would
be necessary for flood conditions to scour sand
from the bed of the river. As described
previously, cool, dry conditions alternated with
hot, wet periods.
Map 7. implied wind directions from Kalahari
sand dunes during Cenozoic times. (from
Haddon 2005).

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View south from the south bank

North bank of the Phephane River South bank of the Phephane River
of the Phephane River showing
showing Kalahari sand spilling into showing Eden and Lonely
sand-free area and sand beds
the valley floor. Formation rocks denuded of sand.
starting in the distance.

Present climate
The climate of the area is generally mild to hot
but winter nights can be extremely cold with
frost. A climate diagram representative of Molopo
Game Reserve is given in Fig. 2 (from Mucina &
Rutherford 2006). The explanation is as follows.
Blue bars show the median monthly precipitation.
Rainfall occurs in summer and autumn, with very
dry winters. February and March are the wettest
months with about 60mm each. The upper and Figure 2. Climate diagram.
lower red lines show the mean daily maximum and
minimum temperature, respectively. MAP: Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP based on an
average of 5 weather stations and observations over more than 34 years in the Reserve
is 344mm); APCV: Annual Precipitation Coefficient of Variation (39 for this data set);
MAT: Mean Annual Temperature; MFD: Mean Frost Days; MAPE: Mean Annual Potential
Evaporation; MASMS: Mean Annual Soil Moisture Stress.
The temperature on a typical summer day can reach 38 0C with night time temperatures
in the low 200C's.
A feature of the area, and of South Africa
as a whole, is the unpredictability of
rainfall. Seasonal rainfall3 from 1988-89
to 2021-22 from Jordaan (2017) and
Wilfred Seitlhamo (pers. comm. 2022) is
shown in Fig. 2. The lowest rainfall is just
over 100mm in two seasons and the
highest is almost 650mm. The average
for these years is 344mm (dotted line).

Topography
The terrain of the Reserve is still Figure 2. Seasonal rainfall.
extremely flat, as it has been through
geological time. The highest point (from 1:50 000 topo sheets) is 1012m near the south-
eastern corner. A spot height near Tourist gate 3, the lowest point, is 984m and a spot
height in the far north of the Reserve is 997m. The greatest difference in altitude is
therefore less than 40m over a distance of more than 30km measured from north to
south in the Reserve. The fall of the Phephane River in the park is about 30m over a

3
Season defined as months July to following June.

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distance of 16km. The fall of the Molopo River where it forms the boundary of the
Reserve is about 0.33m per km (Bootsman 1998), all of which illustrate the flatness of
the countryside. Although it is generally featureless, there are gentle undulations where
shallow-sided sand
mounds have formed.
A contour map of the
Reserve and
surrounding area,
based on the Google
Earth® image, was
made. The narrow
gorge of the Molopo
River and broad,
shallow valley show
up clearly (Map 7).
Note the cut-off
oxbow loop of the
fossil river in the
southwest corner of
the map. The contour
intervals on this map
again illustrate the
flatness of the terrain.

Map 7. Contour map.

Vegetation
The vegetation is classified as SVk11 Molopo Bushveld by Mucina & Rutherford (2006),
Veld type 16 Kalahari Thornveld and Shrub Bushveld by Acocks (1988) and LR 30
Kalahari Plains Thorn Bushveld by Low & Rebelo (1996). The following description is
based on these authors as well as a regional study by Smit (2000). Plant names follow
NewPOSA (2021) as far as possible. A very useful reference to the flowering plants of
the Kalahari with photographs of all species is to be found in Van Rooyen & Van Rooyen's
book (2019).
Open woodland to a closed shrubland occurs here with the trees Vachellia erioloba,
Boscia albitrunca, Terminalia sericea and Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens and shrubs
Lycium cinereum, L. hirsutum, Lycium villosum, Searsia burchellii, Grewia flava and
Rhigozum trichotomum well represented. Low shrubs include Vachellia hebeclada subsp.
hebeclada, Aptosimum albomarginatum, A. marlothii, Eriocephalus ericoides, Justicia
divaricata and J. incana.
A geoxylic suffrutex found in the Reserve is Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Momordica
balsamina is a herbaceous climber.
A variety of herbs are found, including Acanthosicyos naudinianus, Acrotome
angustifolia, A. inflata, Dicoma schinzii, Geigeria ornativa, Helichrysum cerastioides,
Hermannia tomentosa, Hermbstaedtia fleckii, H. linearis, Limeum arenicolum, L.
fenestratum, L. viscosum, Lotononis platycarpa, Senna italica subsp. arachoides,
Sericorema remotiflora, Tephrosia purpurea subsp. leptostachya and Tribulus terrestris.

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The grass layer is well developed. Graminoids

include Aristida meridionalis, A. stipitata
subsp. spicata, Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis
lehmanniana, Aristida congesta, Eragrostis
biflora, E. pallens, E. rigidior, Pogonarthria
squarrosa, Schmidtia kalahariensis, S.
pappophoroides, Stipagrostis ciliata and S.
uniplumis.
Mucina & Rutherford mention the following
Kalahari endemics as biogeographically
important plants. Trees include Vachellia
luederitzii var. luederitzii and Vachellia
haematoxylon and graminoids include
Anthephora argentea, Megaloprotachne
albescens and Panicum kalaharense. Open savanna with Vachellia haematoxylon in foreground.

A more comprehensive list of plants is included in Appendix 4.

Photographs of many of these species have been loaded to iNaturalist
(https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/molopo-game-reserve), Please add your
photographs too.

Reconnaisance survey of woody

plants
During November 2021 the author conducted
a survey of the woody plants of the Reserve.
The same approach as in Botsalano and
Mafikeng Game Reserves was followed. Three
communities were identified as Phephane
scrub (G), Silver clusterleaf savanna (B) and
Kalahari thorn savanna-woodland (P).
Phephane scrub (G)
This community occurs in the valley of the
fossil Phephane River (Map 8). Dominant
short trees are Vachellia haematoxylon, V.
erioloba and Ziziphus mucronata. Senegalia
mellifera subsp. detinens is a common shrub,
or short tree, and the shrub, Grewia flava, is
widespread.
The community consists of a well-developed
grass layer with scattered short trees and tall
shrubs. The soil of the valley bottom is heavy
clay with calcrete and calcareous rock
fragments occurring.
Map 8. Vegetation map.

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No samples were taken in the bed of the Molopo River because access is limited by the
international border fence. It is assumed that the vegetation will be similar to that of the
Phephane River valley.

Bed of the Phephane river with Phephane Water point in river bed near Phiri camp
scrub vegetation. site.

Silver clusterleaf savanna (B)

This community occupies the western side of the area north of the Phephane River with
outliers south of the river (Map 7). It is named after one of the conspicuous trees of the
community, Terminalia sericea. A common tree species is Vachellia luederitzii var.
luederitzii. Also occurring are Boscia albitrunca and Vachellia erioloba. Ubiquitous shrubs
include Grewia flava and Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens. The latter also occurs as a
short tree.

Silver clusterleaf savanna with Terminalia Another magnificent Terminalia sericea

sericea trees. specimen.
The community occurs on deep, loose Kalahari sand. It has a well-developed, open, tall
tree layer with scattered shrubs and a well-developed grass layer.
The possible role of sand redistribution in past times was discussed earlier. The deeper
sand north of the Phephane Valley compared with the area to the south, and broad
differences in vegetation, are further evidence of sand transport from the north and
removal of some by the fossil river.
Kalahari thorn savanna-woodland (P)
This community is named after the dominant tree, Vachellia luederitzii var. luederitzii.
Other representative trees are Boscia albitrunca, Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens and
Vachellia erioloba. Less common is Ziziphus mucronata. Shrubs include the ubiquitous
Grewia flava with Searsia tenuinervis and Dichrostachys cinerea also occurring.
The community covers large parts of the reserve south of the Phephane River with
outliers in the northeastern part of the reserve (Map 7). Further investigation is needed
but it is thought that a calcrete layer is closer to the surface in this savanna-woodland

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than in Silver clusterleaf savanna. This community also has a well-developed tree layer
which is usually more closed than the Silver clusterleaf community and a denser shrub
layer.

Open phase of Kalahari thorn savanna- Boscia albitrunca, usually one of the
woodland with Vachellia luederitzii var. tallest trees in this community.
luederitzii in the foreground.

Some common trees

Vachellia luederitzii var. luederitzii
(Kalahari thorn; Kalahari-doring;
Mokgelekgwele)
This tree is the commonest one in the
Reserve, found mostly on areas of deep
sand. It is usually a
large tree with a
spreading and
rounded crown.
The ground under
these trees is often
bare of vegetation.

Boscia
albitrunca
(Shepherd's
tree;
Motlopi)
This is a
prominent
tree that is easily identified by its whitish-
grey trunk. It occurs in all habitats. It can
also occur as a short shrub when it is
browsed intensively.

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Vachellia erioloba
(Camel thorn;
Kameeldoring;
Mokala)
In this area the Camel thorn is usually
shorter than the Shepherd's tree and
Kalahari thorn. On cursory inspection it can
be confused with Kalahari thorn.

Terminalia sericea (Silver clusterleaf;

Vaalboom; Mogonono)
This easily-recognised large tree has a
patchy distribution in the Reserve. It
favours certain areas with deep sandy soils
but is missing in other areas where soil
conditions appear similar.

Ziziphus
mucronata
(Buffalo-
thorn;
Blinkblaar-
wag-'n-
bietjie;
Mokgalo)
Buffalo-thorn is often a shrub forming an
impenetrable scrub. It can also occur as a
free-standing tree.
Vachellia haematoxylon (Grey camel
thorn; Vaalkameeldoring; Mokholo)
This tall shrub is easily recognised by the
grey colour of its leaflets. It occurs
scattered throughout the Reserve in all
habitats.

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Grewia flava (Velvet raisin;

Fluweelrosyntjiebos). This is a ubiquitous
shrub.

Dichrostachys cinerea (Sickle bush;

Sekelbos)
There are patches of Sickle bush in the
southern region of the Reserve where it can
form an impenetrable thicket.

Senegalia mellifera
subsp. detinens
(Black thorn;
Swarthaak)
Black thorn is
characteristically a
broad-spreading
shrub although there
are large individuals
with a typical tree
shape.

Vachellia hebeclada (Candlepod thorn;

Trassiedoring)

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Some common herbs and creepers

Acanthosicyos naudianus – Gemsbok cucumber Aptosimum lineare

Aptosimum procumbens – Wild violet

Cleome angustifolia subsp. diandra – Yellow
mouse-whiskers

Commelina livingstonii
Elephantorrhiza elephantina -Eland's bean

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Erlangea misera Geigeria ornativa - Vermeerbos

Gisekia africana - Rooirankopslag

Hermbstaedtia fleckii – Cat's tail

Hypertelis cerviana – Thread-stem carpet-weed Indigofera charlieriana

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Indigofera flavicans
Ipomoea magnusiana – Pink Ipomoea

Jamesbrittenia atropurpurea – Cape Saffron

Jamesbrittenia atropurpurea (close-up)

Limeum fenestratum – Window seed

Lophiocarpus polystachyus - Sandaarbossie

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Pancratium tenuifolium - Aandblom Pollichia campestris - Waxberry

Portulaca kermesina - Haaskos

Ptycholobium biflorum

Pupalia lappaceae - Beesklits

Pupalia lappaceae - Beesklits

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Requienia sphaerosperma
Senna italica – Eland's pea

Sericorema remotiflora - Wolhaarbossie

Sesamum triphyllum – Wild Sesamum

Sida cordifolia - Flannelweed

Solanum tomentosum

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Striga gesnerioides – Purple witchweed Trachyandra saltii

Tribulus zeyheri - Dubbeltjie

Tribulus zeyheri - Dubbeltjie

Learn about more trees, shrubs and herbs in

this book by Noel & Gretel van Rooyen -
Flowering Plants of the Southern Kalahari
available from noel@ekotrust.co.za

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Some exotic plants

Prosopis glandulosa (Honey mesquite) Close-up of P gladulosa

There are a few occurrences of this short tree or P glandulosa is a declared invader. It was
shrub in the Phephane valley. It is an alien invasive originally introduced from America for fodder,
species but does not appear to be a threat in the shade and firewood in arid areas.
Reserve.

Verbesina encelioides (Wild sunflower)

This colourful naturalised weed is ubiquitous It is V encelioides close-up
often on the edges of bush clumps. This was originally from the United States
and Mexico.

P daemia close-up
Pergularia daemia (Trellis vine)
It occurs naturally in central Africa, the
This climber is found in bush clumps. Middle East, India and further east.

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Table 2. Summary of SABAP2 data for Molopo Game Reserve

Birds and Birding area as at July 2021.
Full Full
The Reserve falls within seven pentads4
protocol Year Year protocol Ad hoc
(Table 2). A total of 50 cards have been
Pentad cards from to species cards
submitted spanning the period from 2007
to 2020. Data were extracted in July 2021. 2540_2245 3 2008 2012 44 3
As 2545_2255 is at the entrance gate and 2540_2250 11 2007 2017 80 0
includes Phiri campsite it is not surprising 2545_2245 3 2008 2013 45 1
that most cards have been submitted from 2545_2250 7 2007 2017 81 3
that pentad. A total of 491 species have
2545_2255 14 2007 2018 102 3
been recorded.
2550_2250 7 2010 2017 72 2
Species recorded in four or more Full
2550_2255 5 2007 2020 67 4
protocol cards have been included in the
50 491 16
list given in Appendix 2.

Red-crested Korhaan Crowned Lapwing

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Cape Turtle Dove Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

Fawn-colored Lark
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Fork-tailed Drongo

4
SABAP2 (South African Bird Atlas Project 2) uses a grid-based system based on earth’s
latitudinal and longitudinal lines – each 5-minute x 5-minute area (about 9km north-
south and 7km east-west in South Africa) is called a pentad.

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Southern Pied Babbler African Red-eyed Bulbul Kalahari Scrub Robin

Bird photographs by Warwick Tarboton ©

Black-chested Prinia
Chestnut-vented Warbler
Marico Flycatcher

Crimson-breasted Shrike Cape Starling White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

Scaly-feathered Weaver Southern Masked Weaver

Great Sparrow

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

Violet-eared Waxbill Yellow Canary

Red-headed Finch
Bird photographs by Warwick Tarboton ©

Over 120 species of birds have been recorded at Molopo, including breeding pairs of
bateleur, tawny and martial eagles (Barnes 1998 and other sources). White-backed
vultures and lappet faced vultures are also common. Birding 'specials' include Southern
Pied Babbler, Burchell’s Sandgrouse and Monotonous Lark. The reserve forms part of a
one-million-hectare inter-provincial raptor conservancy.
A study of the effects of land-use on avian demography was carried out by Hudson
(2004) in the area. A summary of his observations is given in Appendix 3. It is useful in
that it identifies birds that may only be present during certain seasons.

Hunting and game capture

The Reserve is an artificial ecosystem in that the larger animals are not free to move
over their normal ranges and there are no top predators to keep numbers in check.
Numbers, therefore, have to be managed when the carrying capacity of the veld is
exceeded. Game capture takes place when necessary to relocate excess numbers of
game. Hunting concessions are also made available to professional hunters.

Accommodation
Phiri Camp is the only camping area in
service in the Reserve. The sites in Phiri are
spread over a wide area for privacy, which
fits in well with the overall wilderness appeal
of the Reserve. This is bush camping at its
very best. There is an ablution block with full
facilities including hot water from Eskom.
Nearly all the trees that may be encountered
in the Reserve occur in the Phiri camping
area. These include Vachellia erioloba, V.
luederitzii var. luederitzii, Terminalia sericea,
Ziziphus mucronata and Boscia albitrunca.
Smaller woody plants include Grewia flava,
Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens and Klekle research base.
Vachellia hebeclada var. hebeclada.
Klekle research base provides self-catering accommodation for about a dozen people. It
is available for visiting scientists, on request.
All accommodation, entry and camping fees need to be paid by cash or EFT (EFT prior to
arrival and send proof of payment to molopo@nwpb.co.za at least 48 hours before

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

arrival). The Reserve is not in a position to accept any form of cheque or card payment
on site.
No fuel is available and there is no convenience shop. Visitors need to bring their own
firewood.
Both day and night drives are permitted pending consultation with the authorities. A
number of artificial waterholes have been constructed where concentrations of game can
be seen. The network of roads through the reserve is suitable for 4×4 vehicles and 4×2's
with diff lock.

Ablution block at Phiri campsite. A typical campsite.

Inside the ladies' bathroom. Kitchen work area.

Acknowledgements
The manager and staff of the Molopo Game Reserve are thanked for their assistance and
for allowing the author to work in the Reserve. Wilfred Seitlhamo, Regional Ecologist:
Western Region, Biodiversity Conservation Management, North West Parks Board
provided statistical records that were needed.
Assistance and advice were also provided by Braam van Wyk, Noel van Rooyen, Peter
Holmes and Dawid Mouton.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

References
Acocks, JPH 1988. Veld Types of South Africa. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South
Africa 57: 1-146.
Andreoli, M et al. 2008. The Morokweng Impact Crater, South Africa: A Complex,
Multiring Structure with a ~130 km Radius External Ring and Asymmetric Radial Sectors.
Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution IV.
Anhaeusser, CR et al. 2010. A Possible MesoArchaean Impact Structure at Setlagole,
North West Province, South Africa: Aeromagnetic and Field Evidence. SA Journal of
Geology 113.4 pages 413-436.
Barnes, K (ed.) 1998 The important bird areas of southern Africa. BirdLife South Africa,
Johannesburg.
Bootsman, CS 1998. The evolution of the Molopo drainage. PhD thesis, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Cole, MM 1966. South Africa. Methuen & Co, London.
Gabrielli, F 2003. The Geology of the Bray Area. Explanation Sheet 2522. Council for
Geoscience, Pretoria (and accompanying map).
Haddon, IG 2005. The Sub-Kalahari Geology and Tectonic Evolution of the Kalahari
Basin, Southern Africa. PhD thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Hudson, A 2004. Effects of Land-use on Avian Demography in the Kalahari Area of the
North-west Province, South Africa. MSc thesis, North-West University, Potchefstroom.
Jordaan, F 2017. Best practices and innovative approaches to sustainable biodiversity
conservation and management in the semi-arid western rangelands of North West
Province: case study from the Molopo District. Unpublished progress report, Rural,
Environment and Agricultural Development, North West Provincial Government.
King, LC 1963. South African Scenery. A Textbook of Geomorphology. Oliver & Boyd,
Edinburgh & London.
Low, AB & Rebelo, AG 1996. Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Pretoria.
Malherbe, SJ 1984. The geology of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Supplement to
Koedoe 33-44.
Mallick, DIJ, Habgood, F & Skinner, AC (1981). A geological interpretation of Landsat
imagery and air photography of Botswana. Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources, 56,
35pp.
McDonald, I et al. 2001. Platinum-group elements in the Morokweng impact structure,
South Africa: Evidence for the impact of a large ordinary chondrite projectile at the
Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 65(2): 299-309.
Meadows, ME 2012. Landscapes and Environmental Change in Holmes, P & Meadows, M,
Southern African Geomorphology. Recent trends and New Directions. SUN MeDIA,
Bloemfontein.
Morris, JW 2021. Mafikeng Game Reserve – A Visitor Guide. Unpublished pdf document.
The link is: https://www.scribd.com/document/522312032/Mafikeng-Visitor-Guide-v9
Mucina, L & Rutherford, MC (eds) 2006 The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and
Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Nash, DJ 1992. The development and environmental significance of the dry valley
systems (mekgacha) in the Kalahari, central southern Africa. PhD thesis, University of
Sheffield.

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 Molopo Visitor Guide

NewPOSA 2021. SANBI, Pretoria. The link is http://posa.sanbi.org/sanbi/Explore

SABAP 2. The link is http://sabap2.birdmap.africa/
Smit, JHL 2000. Fitososiologie en Veldbestuur van die Oostelike Kalahari Doringveld. MS
thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
Thomas, DSG & Shaw, PA 1991. The Kalahari Environment. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
Tyson, PD & Partridge, TC 2000. Evolution of Cenozoic Climates in Partridge, TC & Maud,
RR (eds), The Cenozoic of Southern Africa. Oxford: New York.
Van Rooyen, N & Van Rooyen, G 2019. Flowering plants of the Southern Kalahari.
Ekotrust, Somerset West.

Appendix 1. Large mammal and ostrich counts

(Counts taken in October 2021)

Species 2020 Seen

Duiker 72
Eland 685
Gemsbok 715
Giraffe 16
Impala 20
Jackal 25
Kudu 193
Ostrich 68
Red hartebeest 19
Springbok 233
Steenbok 72
Warthog 28
Waterbuck 22
Blue wildebeest 1538
Zebra 335

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Appendix 2. List of bird species from SABAP2 records.

(Common birds are highlighted.)
Common name Afrikaans name Scientific name Seen
Common Ostrich Volstruis Struthio camelus
White-backed Vulture Witrugaasvoël Gyps africanus
Lappet-faced Vulture Swartaasvoël Torgos tracheliotos
Bateleur Berghaan Terathopius ecaudatus
Shikra Gebande Sperwer Accipiter badius
Gabar Goshawk Witkruissperwer Micronisus gabar
Pale Chanting Goshawk Bleeksingvalk Melierax canorus
Red-billed Spurfowl Rooibekfisant Pternistis adspersus
Helmeted Guineafowl Gewone Tarentaal Numida meleagris
Kori Bustard Gompou Ardeotis kori
Red-crested Korhaan Boskorhaan Lophotis ruficrista
Crowned Lapwing Kroonkiewiet Vanellus coronatus
Spotted Thick-knee Gewone Dikkop Burhinus capensis
Bronze-winged Courser Bronsvlerkdrawwertjie Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Namaqua Sandgrouse Kelkiewyn Pterocles namaqua
Burchell's Sandgrouse Gevlekte Sandpatrys Pterocles burchelli
Speckled Pigeon Kransduif Columba guinea
Cape Turtle Dove Gewone Tortelduif Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove Rooiborsduifie Spilopelia senegalensis
Namaqua Dove Namakwaduifie Oena capensis
African Cuckoo Afrikaanse Koekoek Cuculus gularis
Diederik Cuckoo Diederikkie Chrysococcyx caprius
Western Barn Owl Nonnetjie-uil Tyto alba
Pearl-spotted Owlet Witkoluil Glaucidium perlatum
Spotted Eagle-Owl Gevlekte Ooruil Bubo africanus
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Reuse-ooruil Bubo lacteus
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Rooiwangnaguil Caprimulgus rufigena
White-backed Mousebird Witkruismuisvoël Colius colius
Red-faced Mousebird Rooiwangmuisvoël Urocolius indicus
Striped Kingfisher Gestreepte Visvanger Halcyon chelicuti
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Swaelstertbyvreter Merops hirundineus
Lilac-breasted Roller Gewone Troupant Coracias caudatus
Purple Roller Groottroupant Coracias naevius
African Hoopoe Hoephoep Upupa africana
Common Scimitarbill Swartbekkakelaar Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
African Grey Hornbill Grysneushoringvoël Lophoceros nasutus
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Geelbekneushoringvoël Tockus leucomelas
Acacia Pied Barbet Bonthoutkapper Tricholaema leucomelas
Golden-tailed Woodpecker Goudstertspeg Campethera abingoni
Cardinal Woodpecker Kardinaalspeg Dendropicos fuscescens
Fawn-colored Lark Vaalbruinlewerik Calendulauda africanoides

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Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Grysruglewerik Eremopterix verticalis

Barn Swallow Europese Swael Hirundo rustica
Ashy Tit Akasiagrysmees Melaniparus cinerascens
Fork-tailed Drongo Mikstertbyvanger Dicrurus adsimilis
Cape Penduline Tit Kaapse Kapokvoël Anthoscopus minutus
Southern Pied Babbler Witkatlagter Turdoides bicolor
African Red-eyed Bulbul Rooioogtiptol Pycnonotus nigricans
Groundscraper Thrush Gevlekte Lyster Turdus litsitsirupa
Ant-eating Chat Swartpiek Myrmecocichla formicivora
Kalahari Scrub Robin Kalahariwipstert Cercotrichas paena
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Geelpensbossanger Eremomela icteropygialis
Long-billed Crombec Bosveldstompstert Sylvietta rufescens
Desert Cisticola Woestynklopkloppie Cisticola aridulus
Black-chested Prinia Swartbandlangstertjie Prinia flavicans
Spotted Flycatcher Europese Vlieëvanger Muscicapa striata
Chestnut-vented Warbler Bosveldtjeriktik Curruca subcoerulea
Marico Flycatcher Maricovlieëvanger Melaenornis mariquensis
Pririt Batis Priritbosbontrokkie Batis pririt
Lesser Grey Shrike Gryslaksman Lanius minor
Southern Fiscal Fiskaallaksman Lanius collaris
Red-backed Shrike Rooiruglaksman Lanius collurio
Crimson-breasted Shrike Rooiborslaksman Laniarius atrococcineus
Brown-crowned Tchagra Rooivlerktjagra Tchagra australis
Brubru Bontroklaksman Nilaus afer
Wattled Starling Lelspreeu Creatophora cinerea
Cape Starling Kleinglansspreeu Lamprotornis nitens
Marico Sunbird Maricosuikerbekkie Cinnyris mariquensis
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Koringvoël Plocepasser mahali
Great Sparrow Grootmossie Passer motitensis
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Gryskopmossie Passer diffusus
Cape Sparrow Gewone Mossie Passer melanurus
Scaly-feathered Weaver Baardmannetjie Sporopipes squamifrons
Southern Masked Weaver Swartkeelgeelvink Ploceus velatus
Red-billed Quelea Rooibekkwelea Quelea quelea
Red-headed Finch Rooikopvink Amadina erythrocephala
Violet-eared Waxbill Koningblousysie Granatina granatina
Black-faced Waxbill Swartwangsysie Brunhilda erythronotos
Shaft-tailed Whydah Pylstertrooibekkie Vidua regia
Black-throated Canary Bergkanarie Crithagra atrogularis
Yellow Canary Geelkanarie Crithagra flaviventris
Lark-like Bunting Vaalstreepkoppie Emberiza impetuani
Golden-breasted Bunting Rooirugstreepkoppie Emberiza flaviventris

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Appendix 3. Bird observations from Hudson (2004).

(Includes birds recorded 10 and more times in total. Names have been brought in line
with SABAP2.)
Common name Autumn Winter Spring Summer Total Seen
White-backed Vulture 48 35 42 17 142
Lappet-faced Vulture 1 4 9 5 19
Pale Chanting Goshawk 2 3 3 2 10
Burchell's Sandgrouse 30 12 42
Cape Turtle Dove 9 14 11 14 48
Namaqua Dove 4 5 1 5 15
Eurasian Swift 12 12
Fawn-coloured Lark 6 6 2 11 25
Sabota Lark 9 8 6 13 36
Redcapped Lark 2 5 7 14
Fork-tailed Drongo 6 6 3 5 20
Pied Babbler 10 15 10 16 51
Ant-eating Chat 1 6 2 5 14
Kalahari Scrub Robin 6 4 10
Desert Cisticola 2 6 2 6 16
Tinkling Cisticola 4 4 2 10
Marico Flycatcher 2 2 4 2 10
Crimson-breasted Shrike 4 5 2 6 17
Cape Glossy Starling 24 28 18 24 94
White-browed Sparrow-weaver 6 5 3 6 20
Cape Sparrow 14 20 16 22 72
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow 29 33 27 26 115
Scaly-feathered Finch 18 12 30
Masked Weaver 8 14 11 33
Red-billed Quelea 8 6 5 19
Violet-eared Waxbill 12 21 18 21 72
Black-faced Waxbill 7 7 5 19
Shaft-tailed Whydah 6 7 3 7 23
Black-throated Canary 13 18 11 42
Yellow Canary 8 26 6 16 56
Golden-breasted Bunting 6 24 9 9 48
Lark-like Bunting 21 21 42
Total Number of Birds 281 377 249 289 1196

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Appendix 4. Lists of common plant species

(from Smit (2000) and Mucina & Rutherford (2006).)

Smit M&R Seen

Species (2000) 1 (2006)
Woody plants (W)
Boscia albitrunca W
Ehretia rigida W
Grewia flava W
Lycium bosciifolium W
Lycium cinereum W
Lycium hirsutum W
Lycium villosum X
Rhigozum trichotomum W
Searsia burchellii W
Senegalia mellifera subsp. detinens W
Terminalia sericea X
Vachellia erioloba W
Vachellia haematoxylon W
Vachellia hebeclada var. hebeclada W
Vachellia karroo W
Vachellia luederitzii var. luederitzii W
Ziziphus mucronata W
Geoxylic suffrutex
Elephantorrhiza elephantina X
Climber
Momordica balsamina X
Forbs (F)
Acanthosicyos naudinianus X
Acrotome angustifolia X
Acrotome inflata X
Aptosimum albomarginatum F
Aptosimum marlothii F
Argemone ochroleuca F
Barleria rigida F
Cullen obtusifolia F
Dicoma schinzii X
Dimorphotheca zeyheri F
Eriocephalus ericoides F
Geigeria ornativa F
Helichrysum cerastioides X
Hermbstaedtia fleckii X
Hermbstaedtia linearis X

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Hermannia comosa F
Hermannia tomentosa X
Hermbstaedtia odorata F
Justicia divaricatum F
Justicia incanum F
Limeum arenicolum X
Limeum fenestratum X
Limeum viscosum X
Lotononis platycarpa X
Nerine laticoma F
Pentzia calcarea F
Roepera pubescens F
Salsola rabieana F
Selago paniculata F
Senna italica subsp. arachoides F
Sericorema remotiflora X
Tapinanthus rubromarginatus F
Tephrosia purpurea subsp. leptostachya X
Tribulus terrestris X
Graminoids (G)
Anthephora argentea X
Aristida congesta subsp. congesta G
Aristida meridionalis X
Aristida stipitata subsp. spicata X
Cenchrus ciliaris G
Cynodon dactylon G
Enneapogon cenchroides G
Enneapogon scoparius G
Eragrostis biflora X
Eragrostis echinocloidea G
Eragrostis lehmanniana G
Eragrostis pallens X
Eragrostis porosa G
Eragrostis rigidior G
Eragrostis rotifer G
Eragrostis trichophora G
Megaloprotachne albescens X
Panicum kalaharense X
Pogonarthria squarrosa X
Schmidtia kalahariensis G
Schmidtia pappophoroides G
Setaria verticillata G
Stipagrostis ciliata X

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Stipagrostis obtusa G
Stipagrostis uniplumis G
Tragus racemosus G

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