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23rd November 2011

After a long hard summer of running the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle in Kent, Tom Hart Dyke begins to plan a plant hunting trip, once the final garden visitor leaves and the gates shut for the winter. In previous years he has visited South America to bring back specimens for his garden. This year he journeyed south to the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa.

Tom, it seems rather than fly west this year to South America you have flew south to the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa. What was the appeal of the islands? 

Firstly I had never set foot on these magnificent volcanic islands before and secondly what appealed to me was the fact that plant endemism (Native to or confined to a certain region.) on these isolated islands is so high - so myself and my plant hunting colleague Kate were seeing plants that specifically grow on a few rocky outcrops and no-where else in the world - fantastic!
 
Can you tell us a bit about the islands, the weather, what you were expecting to find, the natural habitat?

There are some 10 main volcanic islands that make up this archipelago - most of the islands are pretty arid places. The almost completely deserty islands of Sal and Boa Vista are becoming popular tourist destinations - a canary island alternative? We visited the largest island of Santiago and also the greenest. In the central interior were the highest peaks - some over 4,000 feet above sea level. This is where we went plant hunting - amongst the clouds and blasting winds, a totally different environment to the baking hot coconut lined coastlines, in just a few minutes drive the floral transitional zones is overwhelming. The main plants of interest were the highly ornamental Sonchus daltonii, Limonium lobinii and the spooky snake looking Asclepiad Sarcostemma daltonii - all endemic to these islands - growing no-where else in the world.
 

Monte Graciosa on the island of Santiago
Credit: Tom Hart Dyke

When you go on your plant hunting trips how do you plan what you are going to do when you arrive, do you take any special equipment and what sort of kit do you take out with you on plant adventures? 

No special equipment - i travel extremely light, one set of clothes - always carying hand luggage only. A notepad, pen, good quality ordanance survey maps, a good Canon SLR Digital camera and some brown envelopes for seed collection and another essential bit of kit - a hire 4x4 vehicle! Before I leave on a plant hunting trip i always have a rough idea of the plants i'm searching for and where to look.
 
What was the botanical highlight of the trip? 

The botanical highlight for me was observing the extraordinary Sarcostemma daltonii. A curious, rather spooky looking member of the Ascepliad family. A real stunner!

Sarcostemma daltonii
Credit: Tom Hart Dyke

As well as the plants, did you see any any interesting birds or wildlife on the islands? 

A stunning range of crickets, spiders and the highlight for me observing on numerous occasions the endemic Grey Headed Cape Verde Kingfisher (see Wikipedia page HERE). An absolute beauty that when in full flight displayed a dazzling display of stunning blue on its wings.
 
Did you bring anything back with you to plant in the garden at Lullingstone? 

I brought back some seed and we're going to create a Cape Verde section in the 'Hot & Spikey' cactus and succulent house at Lullingstone. The flora of the Cape Verde Islands is so very poorly understood - it's my personal mission to educate visitors to The World Garden about the flora on these sensational islands.
 
Do you need any special permits to bring seeds and cutting back into the country?

Yes, permits were necessary for some of the seed collected.
 
Lastly, I read today that a night flowering orchid has been discovered on the island of New Britain in the Pacific, what's your reaction?

I heard about this very unusal orchid today on Radio 4 - Well yet again the wonderfully diverse world of orchids does it again. Nick - I'm over the horticultural moon about this discovery!!
 
Thanks Tom!

For more info about the World Garden at Lullingstone Castle in Kent and to plan a visit, www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk