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 mountainous 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 are at home in this veld.

The observable species mix in such veld depends on the time elapsed since the last veld fire. Recently burnt veld shows flowers that go into years-long waiting mode once the big shrubs take over. Still, any time of year presents a unique combination of species in bloom. You literally cannot visit the same veld twice (Manning, 2007; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com; www.smgrowers.com).