Contreberg, situated directly next to the M307 between Darling and Mamre, contains a seasonally wet, Swartland Granite Renosterveld vlei area of approximately 10ha that contains one of the last populations of a critically endangered orchid species called Pteryogodium cruciferum. Referred to by some as the “Darling Ivory”, this highly endangered orchid was rediscovered on the property by Dr Anton Pauw in 2004 as part of his PhD on renosterveld fragmentation and pollination systems. It is only found on this farm and at two other lowland locations. This particular orchid is probably pollinated by a special renosterveld oil-collecting bee since it secretes oil instead of nectar as a reward for pollinators.

The wetland on Contreberg is highly conservation worthy as these seasonally wet areas are largely transformed in the Cape lowlands and often support very unique, and rare species. Besides the wetland, there is also a 5ha area on the property which the owner, Alex Versfeld, set aside as a wildflower reserve a number of years ago. This reserve is open to the public and visited by many people every year during the spring flower season in Darling. Despite its small size, and seemingly dull appearance during other times of the year, it transforms into a magnificent display of flowering bulbs including species such as Monsonia speciosa, Geissorhiza eurystigma, Brunsvigia orientalis, Wurmbea marginata, Disperis villosa, Pterygodium alatum, Nemesia barbata, Diascia diffusa, Moraea gawleri and Sparaxis grandiflora. Alex continues to spend effort clearing the alien Port Jackson trees that so easily invade the edges and water courses.

Conservation of Darling’s wildflower heritage has a long history in the Versfeld family. The late Oom Tienie Versfeld (related to Alex Versfeld), donated a portion of his farm to the National Botanical Institute (now called the SA National Biodiversity Institute) in 1958 so that it could be protected as a nature reserve for posterity. The 20ha Tienie Versfeld reserve is situated along the R315 between Yzerfontein and Darling and is open to the public. This reserve also boasts a number of rare and special species, including Geissorhiza darlingensis (commonly called the Darling winecup) which is completely unique (i.e. endemic) to this reserve. How fitting that the “winecup” name (“kelkiewyn” in Afrikaans) given to the Geissorhiza bulbs has a connection with wine, considering wine producers such as Contreberg have made a special effort over many years to conserve such magnificent flowers as these.