DELMAS – The beautiful and famous Cosmos flower is now in full bloom in most parts of Delmas. These flowers bloom annually for a short period of time.
It is believed locally, especially amongst the Afrikaners that the bloom of the Cosmos is the first sign to signal that winter is fast approaching. During this period, locals pick the flowers as decorative for their homes and other have even planted the flowers in their gardens. Tourists from far places usually visit Delmas during this period to admire the extensive patches of the Cosmos in their full bloom. These flowers are mostly growing on wetlands, empty spaces of land and along highways.
Cosmos flowers are colourful daisy like plants that sit atop long slender stems. The flowers are known to bloom throughout the summer months. Cosmos promote healthy ecosystems as they attract birds, bees, and butterflies and other beneficial insects. A local Delmas gardener said it was a delight to grow Cosmos in her garden and also enjoy the flowers when they are in full bloom. Their open flowers provide easy access to nectar and pollen.
She added, “you can never have enough pollinators and predator insects in your garden, helping pollinate and pest manage for you. Cosmos flowers are magnets for beneficial insects like lacewings, parasitic wasps, tachinid flies and hoverflies that feed on many pest insects and provide free pollination services.”
Growing the flowers is easy as it can be done using seeds that can be obtained from the local town flower shop. These flowers are very good as they can even survive in poor soil conditions. The name Cosmos comes from the Greek word ‘kosmos’ which means ‘beautiful’. These flowers come in many colours and grow tall with attractive feathery leaves. I encourage you to find a pot or tiny space to sow a few seeds. The flower is a member of the Compositae or Asteraceae family, just like their ‘cousins’ the sunflowers, marigolds, yarrow, daisies, zinnias, lettuce and dandelions.
They are also known as Cosmos bipinnatus or Mexican aster. Cosmos produce 3- to 5-inch daisy like flowers in various colours, including pink, orange, red and yellow, white, and maroon. Their flower heads may be bowl or open cup shaped. These beautiful plants can reach 6 feet tall.
According to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Working for Wetlands (WWW) programme, approximately 60% of South Africa’s wetlands have been degraded or transformed as a result of urbanization and land use change. The excessive loss of health wetland systems in Delmas and other parts of the country is alarming considering the Ecosystem Services (ESS) that are supplied to both the natural and anthropogenic environments.
The recent development of land and construction of residential flats in heart of the town of Delmas saw ecosystems being destroyed and the end of Cosmos particular piece of land. The recognition of the natural potential of a healthy wetland on a local scale and the protection of wetlands and other empty spaces that promote the growing of Cosmos at a large-scale will demonstrate that there is an alignment between policy and implementation. To rectify this disassociation, it will be imperative for the Victor Khanye Municipality, regional and national persons to understand the value of a health wetland and also come to the realization that their appeal and aid in improving our living environments.
Various efforts have been made by the DEA and national research bodies to highlight priority wetland areas that should be conserved at all cost. One such strategy is the identification and desktop delineation of Freshwater Priority Areas to create the National Freshwater Priority Areas database, which includes wetland, estuarine and river systems on a national scale. This strategy is in line with the objectives stipulated within the National Water, the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the National Environmental Management Act.
