Ferns by a waterfall

Clear, fast-flowing mountain streams through fynbos abound on the northern slopes of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, i.e. the southern side of the Langkloof.

Many of these small streams do not even have generally known names, all upper tributaries of the Kouga River. The Krom River catchment area lies to the east, after the Heights east of Joubertina. Rain is received in the Langkloof both in summer and winter in some parts up to 800 mm per annum.

The fynbos, pristine here early in the previous century, is threatened in many kloofs by the appearance of alien invader plants. Many of them are acacias and eucalypts of Australian origin.

Indigenous ferns and mosses are common along the stream banks where Protea mundii, P. cynaroides, several ericas and other fynbos species grow well, sometimes becoming tall and dense.