African Wildlife & Environment Issue 80

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

my homework thoroughly, I managed to get A-levels in my last year at school. Growing up I did not see many Acacias because Miombo country is dominated by broad-leaved, mostly deciduous, trees. Acacias , with their much smaller leaves, were confined to stream banks and occasional rocky outcrops where the soils were more nutrient-rich. I remember that when the opportunity presented itself, I would remove some acacia spines to be used as toothpicks. However, on our trips to Hwange Game Reserve I remember that the bushveld had Acacia dominated patches along with mopane and other small tree species, and I wondered how browsing mammals coped with feeding of these well-armed trees?

Back then my main interest in the bush was as a place to explore and find things to eat, search for bird’s nests, and do other things small boys love. In 1955 my father was transferred to Salisbury (now Harare) where we lived close to 'The Kopje', that at the time was Miombo Woodland that yielded Flame- lilies and ground orchids Eulophia cucullata both of which I carefully picked, to not disturb their roots, for my mother (who adored having a vase of flowers in the lounge). At times huge edible mushrooms were

Figure 3. A very spiny A. karroo in the bushveld

Figure 5. Giraffe seem to have no problem browsing acacias - here A. tortilis (Umbrella thorn)

In 1960 I attended university on the Pietermaritzburg campus of what was then Natal University (now UKZN). One of my all-time favourite lecturers was Dr Kath Gordon-Gray, who fostered my interest in the taxonomy of indigenous plants. Our ecology was taught by Prof Adolf Bayer who was the supervisor of both my Masters and PhD. One of my best mates at the time was one James (Jim) Henderson Ross, who later became the African taxonomic expert on what was then the genus Acacia . While Jim was collecting field material of the Acacias of Natal for his PhD, I was often his 'handlanger'. He taught me much about Acacia morphology, that has stood me in good stead through the ages.

Figure 4. A. karroo in full leaf that disguises how spiny the tree can be

gathered in abundance, and I caught many small fish in the Makabuzi River ( Barbus sp .) that Jack Chifumbi and John Chikoloma loved to eat. Thus, I essentially grew up alongside the bush, and from a young age I knew I wanted a job that would allow me to work outdoors. Thanks to my mother, who ensured I did

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