Threatened Plants Programmes:
Lesotho
Thamnocalamus
tessellatus
Berg
Bamboo (Thamnocalamus tessellatus) is found along streams at an elevation
of 1,800 m above sea level in association with the shrub Leucosidea sericea
and is endemic to southern Africa. Its global conservation status is Rare
and its national status is Vulnerable (Talukdar 2002), although more
information is required on the distribution and abundance of this species
to confirm its status. Specimens housed at the Roma Herbarium come from only
three localities in Lesotho. Recent reports cite other sites, but these have
not yet been confirmed.
Berg
Bamboo is a perennial plant known to flower after a number of years, after
which it dies. It can, however, easily be propagated using rhizomes. The species
is also the host/habitat for the Red Data Book listed butterfly Metisella
syrinx. Threatened butterflies are vulnerable and if their habitat is
destroyed or disturbed they can become locally extinct. Major threats to Berg
Bamboo include collection by local people and wildfires.
Berg
Bamboo is an ideal flagship species for the Threatened Plants Programme (TPP)
at Katse Botanical Garden for the following reasons:
It has great
economic importance for the local communities where it is found (crafts and
basketry).
It has broad
traditional uses and these need to be explored further.
It is a host
to a Red Data Book listed butterfly.
The
aim of this TPP is to cultivate Berg Bamboo
in large quantities and to re-introduce the plant to areas where it has gone
extinct. Local communities will also be supplied with young plants to cultivate
their own resources of bamboo. It is hoped that this will develop a sustainable
balance, which will allow the harvesting of the plants in the wild. To meet
these, the project has the following objectives:
Investigate
the status of in situ Berg Bamboo populations, as there is inadequate
information available to make an assessment of its risk of threat based on
its distribution.
Investigate
its uses (cultural practices associated with the genetic material) and main
threats to the plants occurring in situ.
Propagate plants
for the ex situ conservation programme, the recovery plan, and re-introduction
to the natural habitats.
Explore
the plant’s local economic potential and assist local communities to grow
their own stock.
The
Katse Botanical Garden will collaborate with the local communities, conservation
agencies, government ministries (National Environment Secretariat), and the
National University of Lesotho.
—by
Tau Mahlelebe
