Conservation and Sustainability
APRIL African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata), a small tree or shrub native to East Africa and parts of Asia, is treasured for its fragrant wood and essential oils. Known for its diverse medicinal, cultural, and commercial applications, this species has become a symbol of both natural wealth and ecological vulnerability. A Multipurpose Tree of Great Value… Continue reading African Sandalwood: A Fragrant Treasure on the Brink
East Africa continues to reveal incredible natural wonders. Deep in the misty Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, scientists have found a towering new species of rainforest tree that may have stood for 3,000 years. This amazing discovery was made by botanist Andrea Bianchi, along with local plant experts Aloyce Mwakisoma and Ruben Mwakisoma. While exploring the… Continue reading Timeless Sentinels: A Newly Discovered Species of Ancient Trees in Tanzania
MARCH Senna spectabilis, also known as Cassia spectabilis or Spectacular Cassia, is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree admired for its brilliant yellow flowers. Originally from Central and South America, it has made its way across the tropics, including Africa and Asia, where it’s been introduced for its ornamental value and rapid growth (CABI, 2023). Origin and… Continue reading Senna Spectabilis: Beauty or Ecological Threat?
A quiet crisis is unfolding in South Africa’s Succulent Karoo. This region, spanning approximately 111,000 square kilometers from Namibia's Luderitz through South Africa's Richtersveld, Namaqualand, Hantam, Tanqua, Roggeveld, and into the Little Karoo, is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. Home to the world's richest succulent flora, the Succulent Karoo boasts around 6,350 species of vascular… Continue reading The Silent Plunder: How South Africa’s Succulents Are Being Stolen to Extinction