Simple-Earth's Veld Analysis

This page serves as a data collection point from our own operations only (regenerative, grazing, risk, health assessment).
This list is incomplete, and may contain errors as it is done by hand and over time.

Veld Condition Indicators

Veld plants respond differently to grazing pressure. These categories help assess veld health and guide management decisions.
See the veld scoring system we use, click here.

The Categories

🟢 Decreasers (DI, DII, DIII): Highly palatable, nutritious species that decline under grazing pressure. Their presence = good veld management. Loss = overstocking/poor rotation.
🟡 Increaser II: Moderately palatable species, eaten when preferred plants depleted. Increase under moderate grazing, still provide nutrition.
🟠 Increaser IIc: Plants that increase with selective grazing (neither good nor bad indicator). Often thorny/protected, or seasonal preferences.
🔴 Increaser III: Unpalatable, low-value plants avoided by stock. Dominance indicates veld degradation and overgrazing.
🚫 Invaders: Alien species exploiting disturbance. Reduce carrying capacity, require active removal.

Quick Veld Health Check

Walk camps quarterly and note dominant species:

Decreasers dominant → Excellent (maintain current management)
Balanced mix → Good (minor adjustments)
Increaser II dominant → Moderate (adjust stocking/rotation urgently)
Increaser III dominant → Poor (immediate intervention needed)
Heavy invaders → Degraded (active restoration required)

Note for browsers: Cape Lob Ears can manage some Increaser III species, but rotation and rest periods remain critical. Don't rely on your animals alone for veld improvement.

Veld Composition

Assembled & Curated by Marlon v/d Linde. 2025/10

Legend

Plant Type:

🌾 Grass
🌿 Browse shrub
🌳 Tree
🌵 Succulent
🌺 Forb/herb
🎋 Climber/scrambler

Nutrition Value (Seasonal averages):

⭐⭐⭐ Excellent: CP >12%, DMD >65%
⭐⭐ Good: CP 8-12%, DMD 55-65%
⭐ Moderate: CP 5-8%, DMD 45-55%
○ Poor: CP <5%, DMD <45%
🔄 Highly seasonal

Veld Condition Indicator (SANBI):

🟢 DI = Decreaser I (excellent veld, decreases first with grazing)
🟢 DII = Decreaser II (good veld, moderately sensitive)
🟢 DIII = Decreaser III (still good, more resilient)
🟡 II = Increaser II (neutral indicator, increases moderately)
🟠 IIc = Increaser IIc (increases with selective grazing)
🔴 III = Increaser III (poor veld, thrives under overgrazing)

Warnings:

🚫 Invasive alien (legal removal often required)
☠️ Toxicity concerns
🌊 High water demand
🔥 Fire hazard
⚡ Photosensitization risk
🩹 Physical injury (thorns/spines)

—

Main Species Table

Common Name	Scientific Name	Type	🚫	Nutrition	Benefits	Disadvantages	Indicator
BROWSE SHRUBS
Taaibos	Rhigozum obovatum	🌿		⭐⭐⭐	Highly palatable year-round, CP 10-14%, drought tolerant, good regrowth, nitrogen accumulator	Becomes woody with age (>5yr), stems less palatable	🟢 DI
Driedoring	Rhigozum trichotomum	🌿		⭐⭐⭐	Similar to taaibos, excellent palatability, CP 11-15%, three-spined nodes distinctive	🩹 Thorny (3-spines), slows browsing	🟢 DI
Swartstorm	Cadaba aphylla	🌿		⭐⭐⭐	Highly sought after, CP 12-16%, leafless stems photosynthetic, drought champion	Slow growing, overgrazing eliminates it quickly	🟢 DI
Gwarriebos	Euclea undulata	🌿		⭐⭐	Evergreen, CP 7-10%, berries for wildlife, medicinal uses, long-lived	Slow growing, moderate palatability, can be bitter	🟡 II
Bloukeur	Euclea crispa	🌿		⭐⭐	Similar to gwarriebos, wavy leaf margins, berries, medicinal	Slow growing, moderate palatability	🟡 II
Rosyntjiebos	Grewia occidentalis	🌿		⭐⭐	Palatable leaves, edible berries (human & animal), CP 8-11%, good cover	Some species thorny, drought sensitive when young	🟢 DIII
Rooisalie	Grewia flava	🌿		⭐⭐	Similar to rosyntjie, berries sweeter, good browse	🩹 Thorny branches	🟢 DIII
Ankerkaroo	Pentzia incana	🌿		⭐⭐⭐	Excellent year-round, CP 9-13%, aromatic, good regrowth, silver-grey foliage attractive	Can be overgrazed easily, disappears under heavy pressure	🟢 DII
Skaapbos	Pentzia globosa	🌿		⭐⭐	Palatable, CP 8-11%, round form, good regrowth	Less palatable than P. incana	🟢 DIII
Karoo skaapbos	Pentzia spinescens	🌿		⭐⭐	Good palatability, CP 8-12%, spiny tips	🩹 Spine-tipped branches	🟢 DIII
Gannabos	Salsola spp.	🌿		⭐⭐⭐🔄	High protein when young (CP 12-18%), succulent, moisture content	☠️ Oxalate accumulation if dominant, becomes woody/salty with age	🟠 IIc
Kraalbos/Geelbos	Galenia africana	🌿		⭐⭐	Palatable, CP 8-12%, good fodder, drought tolerant	⚡ Photosensitization in sheep (rare in goats), can indicate disturbance	🟡 II
Slangbos	Galenia fruticosa	🌿		⭐⭐	Similar to kraalbos, more woody habit	⚡ Photosensitization possible	🟡 II
Kapokbos	Eriocephalus africanus	🌿		⭐	Aromatic, medicinal, white fluffy seeds attractive, soil stabilizer	Low nutrition (CP 5-7%), filler browse only	🟡 II
Kapokbossie	Eriocephalus spinescens	🌿		⭐	Similar to kapokbos, spiny version	🩹 Spiny, low nutrition	🟡 II
Asbos	Pteronia pallens	🌿		⭐	Moderate palatability when young, grey foliage, ash-like	☠️ Can be toxic in large quantities, bitter taste	🟠 IIc
Perdebos	Pteronia incana	🌿		⭐	Similar to P. pallens, grey-woolly	☠️ Mildly toxic, avoided when alternatives exist	🟠 IIc
Vaalbos	Pteronia glauca	🌿		⭐	Grey-green foliage, moderate palatability	Similar issues to other Pteronia	🟠 IIc
Kriedoring	Lycium spp.	🌿		⭐⭐	Good browse, CP 7-10%, edible berries, thorny = predator protection for nests	🩹 Thorny, can injure animals/humans	🟡 II
Bitterbos	Chrysocoma ciliata	🌿		○	Emergency fodder ONLY, CP 4-6%, bitter aromatic	Bitter, avoided, indicates overgrazing	🔴 III
Fine-leaved bitterbos	Chrysocoma tenuifolia	🌿		○	Emergency fodder only, CP 3-5%	Very bitter, strong overgrazing indicator	🔴 III
Rhinobush	Elytropappus rhinocerotis	🌿		⭐🔄	Young growth palatable (CP 6-9%), aromatic, medicinal	Becomes woody/unpalatable, can indicate overgrazing when dominant	🔴 III
Hermannia	Hermannia spp.	🌿		⭐⭐🔄	Young plants palatable (CP 8-11%), flowers attractive	Woody with age, low nutrition when mature	🟡 II
Poprosie	Hermannia cuneifolia	🌿		⭐⭐🔄	Good when young, CP 8-10%, doll-like flowers	Becomes woody	🟡 II
Tripteris	Tripteris spp.	🌿		⭐	Moderately palatable, CP 6-8%	☠️ Liver damage if dominant in diet (pyrrolizidine alkaloids)	🟠 IIc
Wild asparagus	Asparagus striatus	🎋		⭐🔄	Young shoots palatable (CP 7-10%), berries for birds, medicinal	🩹 Very thorny, older growth unpalatable	🟠 IIc
Katdoring	Asparagus capensis	🎋		⭐🔄	Similar to A. striatus, scrambling habit	🩹 Extremely thorny	🟠 IIc
Swartstorm (climbing)	Asparagus africanus	🎋		⭐🔄	Young growth palatable, scrambles through other plants	🩹 Thorny	🟠 IIc
Bloubekkie	Diospyros austro-africana	🌿		⭐	Moderate browse, small fruit edible, hardwood	Slow growing, moderate palatability (CP 6-8%)	🟢 DIII
Kleinblaar	Ehretia rigida	🌿		⭐⭐	Palatable, CP 7-10%, berries, good browse	Thorny when mature	🟢 DIII
Perdepis	Anthospermum spp.	🌿		⭐	Moderate browse, aromatic, small	Low palatability, filler	🟡 II
Bloubos	Metalasia muricata	🌿		○	Poor browse, aromatic, blue-grey foliage	Low nutrition, indicates poor veld	🔴 III
Suurpol	Cephalophyllum spp.	🌵		⭐	Succulent, moisture source	☠️ Oxalates, sour taste, limited intake	🟡 II
Gansies	Carpobrotus edulis	🌵		⭐	Succulent leaves, fruit edible (suurvy), groundcover	Can become weedy, 🌊 needs moisture	🟡 II
Bobbejaankos	Augea capensis	🌿		⭐	Palatable when young, CP 7-9%	Can be dominant in disturbed areas	🟡 II
Slangkop	Stoebe spp.	🌿		○	Poor palatability, aromatic	Low nutrition, overgrazing indicator	🔴 III
SUCCULENTS
Spekbos	Zygophyllum morgsana	🌵		⭐🔄	Succulent, moisture source, CP 6-9% when available	☠️ Some species mildly toxic (saponins), monitor intake	🟡 II
Tweeblaartjies	Zygophyllum retrofractum	🌵		⭐🔄	Two-leaved pairs distinctive, moisture source	☠️ Saponins, limited intake	🟡 II
Vygies	Ruschia spp.	🌵		⭐	Moisture content good, CP 4-7%, groundcover, flowers attractive	Low protein, filler only	🟡 II
Skillpadbos	Drosanthemum spp.	🌵		⭐	Moisture source, groundcover, erosion control	Low nutrition (CP 3-6%)	🟡 II
Kougoed	Sceletium tortuosum	🌵		○	Medicinal (mood enhancer), traditional use, groundcover	☠️ Psychoactive alkaloids, not for fodder, protected in some areas	🟢 DII
Ghaap	Hoodia gordonii	🌵		○	Emergency moisture, appetite suppressant (medicinal value)	☠️ Bitter, protected species (TOPS), very low nutrition	🟢 DI
Melkbos	Euphorbia mauritanica	🌵		○	Drought indicator, latex has traditional uses	☠️ Toxic latex, avoided by stock, can cause blindness	🔴 III
Vingerpol	Euphorbia tuberosa	🌵		○	Finger-like stems distinctive	☠️ Toxic latex	🔴 III
Noors	Euphorbia caput-medusae	🌵		○	Medusa-head form, ornamental	☠️ Toxic latex, not palatable	🟡 II
Bitterghaap	Hoodia currorii	🌵		○	Similar to ghaap, more bitter	☠️ Very bitter, avoided	🟢 DII
Asbos-vygie	Drosanthemum lique	🌵		⭐	Succulent, moisture, grey appearance	Low nutrition	🟡 II
TREES & LARGE SHRUBS
Soetdoring	Vachellia karroo	🌳		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Pods excellent (CP 12-18%), nitrogen fixer, shade, shelter	🩹 Thorny, ☠️ pods toxic in excess (>30% diet), 🌊 moderate water use	🟢 DIII
Haakdoring	Vachellia haematoxylon	🌳		⭐⭐🔄	Pods good, CP 10-15%, hooked thorns distinctive	🩹 Hooked thorns dangerous, pods similar toxicity concerns	🟢 DIII
Witgat	Boscia albitrunca	🌳		⭐⭐	Drought resistant, leaves palatable (CP 8-11%), white bark distinctive, deep roots	Slow growing, can be overgrazed	🟢 DII
Shepherd's tree	Boscia foetida	🌳		⭐⭐	Similar to witgat, very drought hardy, smell when crushed	Slow growing, foetid smell	🟢 DII
Wild olive	Olea europaea subsp. africana	🌳		⭐	Evergreen, moderate browse, olives edible, long-lived, shade	Slow growing, moderate palatability (CP 6-8%)	🟢 DII
Karee	Searsia lancea	🌳		⭐	Shade, windbreak, moderate browse (CP 6-9%), berries for birds	Can cause dermatitis in sensitive humans, 🌊 moderate water use	🟡 II
Taaibos (tree form)	Searsia burchellii	🌳		⭐⭐	Good browse, CP 8-10%, berries, hardwood	Slow growing	🟢 DIII
Sweet thorn	Vachellia karoo	🌳		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Same as soetdoring (synonym)	Same as soetdoring	🟢 DIII
Kanniedood	Cissus quadrangularis	🎋		⭐🔄	Succulent climber, medicinal, edible when young	Can smother other plants	🟡 II
FORBS & ANNUALS
Botterblom	Osteospermum spp.	🌺		○	Flowers attractive, erosion control, groundcover	Low palatability (CP 3-5%), generally avoided	🟡 II
Veldkool	Brassica spp.	🌺		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Highly palatable when young (CP 14-20%), annual	Disappears quickly, can cause bloat if dominant	🟢 DI
Wilde malva	Malva parviflora	🌺		⭐⭐🔄	Palatable annual (CP 10-14%), good when green	Seasonal only, can indicate disturbance	🟡 II
Dubbeltjie	Tribulus terrestris	🌺		⭐🔄	Palatable when young, CP 8-11%	🩹 Spiny burrs injure feet/mouths, weed of disturbed areas	🔴 III
Khakibos	Tagetes minuta	🌺		○	Aromatic, medicinal, insect repellent	Not palatable, indicates disturbance, can be allelopathic	🔴 III
GRASSES
Opslag (mixed annuals)	Various	🌾		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Essential nutrition when green (CP 10-18%), rapid growth after rain	Disappears in drought, overgrazing eliminates seed bank	🟢 DI
Beesgras	Themeda triandra	🌾		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Excellent when young (CP 8-14%), perennial, good regrowth	Low value when mature/dry (CP 3-5%)	🟢 DI
Rooigras	Eragrostis lehmanniana	🌾		⭐⭐🔄	Good palatability (CP 7-12% when green), tufted, drought hardy	Moderate value only	🟢 DII
Vingergras	Digitaria eriantha	🌾		⭐⭐⭐🔄	Excellent palatability (CP 9-15%), creeping habit, good regrowth	Susceptible to overgrazing	🟢 DI
Kweekgras	Cynodon dactylon	🌾		⭐⭐🔄	Palatable (CP 8-12%), creeping, good regrowth, near water	🌊 Needs moisture, indicates wet areas/disturbance	🟡 II
Steekgras	Aristida spp.	🌾		○	Poor nutrition (CP 3-6%), seeds can injure mouths/eyes	🩹 Sharp seeds problematic, strong overgrazing indicator	🔴 III
Lamkwasgras	Enneapogon spp.	🌾		⭐🔄	Moderate when green (CP 6-9%), nine-awned seeds	Low value when dry	🟢 DIII
Bloukweek	Cymbopogon plurinodis	🌾		⭐⭐🔄	Good when young (CP 7-11%), aromatic, tufted	Becomes coarse with age	🟢 DII
Karoobuffelsgras	Cenchrus ciliaris	🌾		⭐⭐🔄	Good palatability (CP 8-13%), drought tolerant, productive	Can become invasive in some contexts	🟡 II
Dropsaad	Sporobolus spp.	🌾		⭐🔄	Moderate palatability (CP 6-10%), seeds drop readily	Variable quality by species	🟡 II
Sandkweek	Elionurus muticus	🌾		⭐	Moderate browse (CP 5-8%), aromatic when crushed	Low palatability, sandy soils	🟡 II
INVASIVE ALIENS
Sand olive	Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia	🌿	🚫	○	Resinous, can provide shelter/windbreak	Low palatability, resinous leaves avoided, 🌊 moderate water use, Australian origin	N/A
Rooikrans	Acacia cyclops	🌳	🚫	⭐🔄	Pods eaten (CP 8-12%), nitrogen fixer	🌊 Water-hungry, allelopathic, dense thickets, Category 1b NEMBA, coastal species	N/A
Gumtree	Eucalyptus spp.	🌳	🚫	○	Shade, windbreak, timber	🌊 Extremely water-hungry, 🔥 fire hazard, allelopathic, not palatable, Australian	N/A
Jointed cactus	Opuntia aurantiaca	🌵	🚫	○	None for livestock	☠️ Toxic, 🩹 spines, forms impenetrable stands, Category 1b NEMBA	N/A
Sweet prickly pear	Opuntia ficus-indica	🌵	🚫	⭐⭐🔄	Pads edible emergency fodder, fruit edible (prickly pear)	🩹 Glochids problematic, spreads readily, Category 3 NEMBA (controlled use)	N/A
Port Jackson	Acacia saligna	🌳	🚫	⭐🔄	Pods have some value	🌊 Water-hungry, allelopathic, Category 1b NEMBA, Western Cape origin	N/A
Black wattle	Acacia mearnsii	🌳	🚫	⭐🔄	Pods eaten, nitrogen fixer, bark for tanning	🌊 Very water-hungry, Category 2 NEMBA, Australian, dense stands	N/A
Inkbush	Cestrum laevigatum	🌿	🚫	○	None	☠️ Highly toxic (all parts), avoided by stock, Category 1b NEMBA, South American	N/A
Prosopis (mesquite)	Prosopis spp.	🌳	🚫	⭐⭐🔄	Pods nutritious (CP 10-15%), but…	🩹 Thorny, 🌊 water-hungry, impenetrable thickets, Category 2 NEMBA	N/A