Asclepias woodii (Wood's Asclepias), a member of the Milkweed family, is listed as Vulnerable in the SANBI Red Data List. It is a KZN Midlands endemic which reappeared on the hill recently after not being seen for nearly 100 years.
Kate Fennell, Friends of Beacon Hill committee member said "It's always such a treat to find new things flowering on the Hill, especially a rarity such as Asclepias woodii"
This is an extract from a presentation Kate did on the plant recently:
"What pollinates the plants? Chafer beetles. The beetles are agile, fast-flying and hairy. Importantly, they do not damage the flowers when feeding. Asclepiads with similar features share chafer pollinators. Because bees are uncommon in grasslands, chafers fulfill the role of large bees."
Join the regular Beacon Hill walk on the last Sunday of each month to see some of the 106 species of plants which flower in this special piece of grassland.