Deceptive simplicity

Fynbos may hide its complexity from those in a hurry. It includes the thousands of tiny-leaved plants with pretty flowers one always hears about. There are also the bigger-leaved ones such as some of the proteas, the fern fronds and this large-leaved Hermas in the foreground of the picture.

Some fynbos species are soft herbs, annual or perennial, while others grow stems, strong and sturdy if the fires don’t come. There are curious extras like Drosera suddenly at ones feet. They are the sundews with their carnivorous survival skills that may fascinate to learn about. Still more, the parasitic Cassytha that is just visible rambling here if one looks carefully: rootless and shameless over all the other plants that nourish it.

Western and Eastern Cape fynbos are world renowned for plant diversity and beauty. The fynbos belt from Clanwilliam in the west to Port Elizabeth in the east is in some places over 200 km wide. It comprises about 9000 flowering plant species.

That does not yet bring into play the birds, insects, small mammals, vertebrates and... buy some books and stay longer!