Ecoguide: Fynbos

About this book

The Cape Fold Mountains, which lie at the southern tip of Africa as ranges paralleling the western and southern Cape coastlines, together with the valleys between, and the plains reaching from their feet to the sea, are home to the Cape Floral Region - one of only six Floral Kingdoms in the world. More than 9000 different plant species grow naturally in this small area and nearly 70 per cent of them are found nowhere else in the world. The Fynbos biome supports one of the richest and most varied types of plant cover in the world. Together with the restios, heaths and proteas, there is a huge wealth of annuals, herbs and shrubs from many other families like the daisy, mesemb and pea families, as well as an unusually rich assortment of bulbs. This guide covers more than 400 of those wildflowers that are most likely to attract the visitor's attention. Each species is illustrated and described, with information on its common and scientific names, habitat, distribution map, flowering times and local uses. Introductory chapters provide background on the Cape Floral Region and the birds, insects, spiders, reptiles and mammals that also make their home here.

A travel adviser at the back of the title provides information on National Parks, nature reserves and other prime flower viewing destinations in the area, with contact details and recommended routes, to enable visitors to make the most of their visit to the area.

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