One of the challenges of identifying species in the fynbos is that sometimes very different looking plants are classified under the same species. This is not surprising when species have a wide distribution range, but is more challenging when they grow in close proximity. This variation may be just due…
The vygie family, Aizoaceae, is best known for the dazzling displays found in the Little Karoo and up the West Coast. But there are a number of species found in true fynbos, which also have the glistening many petalled flowers. One of these, Oscularia deltoides, is a widespread species of…
Members of the Protea family are some of the most photogenic plants in the fynbos. However, Serruria elongata is one species that proves an exception. It is not that it is an unattractive plant. It is just that it is extremely hard to get a good photo that captures its…
With over 800 species of Erica in the Cape, it is not surprising that inventiveness is needed in describing the names of the species. In fact it is even harder than that as many species have inadvertently been described more than once. In total, over 2,000 different names have been…
In colder climates, heath gardens are often created to provide winter colour, but in South Africa most heathers flower in spring or summer. However, there is a common heath, Erica imbricata, that flowers here at Phillipskop from June onwards. The flowers are white but they have contrasting dark brown exserted…
The King Protea, Protea cynaroides, needs no introduction. It is a very worthy holder of the title of South Africa’s National Flower. The flowerheads can be up to 30cm in diameter. No other member of the genus Protea has flowers that come close to that size. Its fame has also…
