Berzelia lanuginosa near the base of a rocky slope

The Bainskloof Pass where these Berzelia lanuginosa shrubs were seen in October traverses the Limietberg Mountains from Wellington eastwards.

The natural combination of fynbos species found in the Limietberg Nature Reserve and the surrounding terrain is unique, as is every such area within the Cape Floristic Region, albeit small. At least 13 Protea species, 24 kinds of Erica and 10 gladioli, as well as a couple of hundred other flowering plants may be observed in this veld.

At any time the species mix available for inspection in such veld depends on the time elapsed since the last veld fire; recently burnt veld shows flowers that go to sleep when the big shrubs take over, and progressively so. Any time of year will also present a unique combination of species in bloom. You literally cannot visit the same veld twice (Manning, 2007; www.smgrowers.com; www.plantzafrica.com).