Rich diversity hidden in the fairest Cape “Fynbos” floral kingdom

A few centuries ago, when European explorers first arrived by sailing boat on these distant shores of southern Africa, they were immediately impressed by the inviting beauty of the newly discovered region. In time it became known as the Cape of Good Hope, which is the name for the Cape Town region situated 550 km to the west of me. This entire region along the coast is today called the Cape Province, and has earned the epithet of “The Fairest Cape” due to its attractive climate and terrain. Since those first visitors, over three hundred years ago, travelers have been making their way here and they continue to be uplifted and inspired by the setting and surroundings visible all along these provincial shores.

When they really blossom, these indigenous flowers are a rare sight to behold

The curious feature of the vegetation here is not merely its occasional exotic appearance, which leaves the flowers looking almost prehistoric but also the extreme delicacy of much of the plant life dotted all across the landscape of this southern African coastline. The climate is fairly dry and hot and the terrain is rocky. As a result the indigenous “fynbos floral kingdom” as this region is called, produces very small and extremely delicate of fragile looking plants that act as ground cover, seldom growing to any height at all.

Close-up of the "pincushion" flower to dazzle the senses

However, what it lacks in size, this floral kingdom certainly makes up for in variety. There must be hundreds of different little species of delicate plants interspersed all along the shores of this Cape province region. These bright orange flowers, for example are called “pincushions” due to their appearance. They are a typical African species – brightly colored and hardy and yet curiously without any smell at all. We are used to flowers having a fragrance, yet many of these local specimens are totally without any smell. It seems they don’t need an aroma to attract any pollinating birds or insects, and what they lack in aroma, they make up for in color.

Miniature blossoms and floral species which are a delicate and increasingly scarce specimen

The vast majority of the local floral species are neither big and bright nor fragrant in any way. In fact they are mostly particularly small and unassuming, so much so that you actually have to go up really close to see their real features. These ground hugging little plants are truly delicate and intricate in design and pattern. They look like the work of some master jeweler or watchmaker who has painstakingly set each part into place with a magnifying class and pincers or tweezers.

Each flowering plant adds their splash of color to the vast green and blue backdrop

And the variety of different species is just prolific. You can go from one alcove to the next and find a totally different set of plants living in each place. They appear to be very specific to the climactic conditions of each separate cliff slope or alcove or bay. One species will predominate a certain stretch and then not be found anywhere else, with a different species proliferating just a few hundred meters further along. These miniature and highly localized species are therefore very rare and are becoming endangered with time.

Another little red species of flower from the region to brighten up the way

In fact I have heard that there are as many various “Fynbos” species of plants in this small thin stretch of Cape coastline as there are in the entire Amazon jungle and forest of South America. As you know, the Amazon stretches across multiple massive countries and is a vast and richly diverse floral area. Nevertheless, these unassuming fynbos flowers match them in variety, if not abundance or appearance. It requires you to use a microscope down on the ground to really notice the diversity. From afar you would totally overlook this little treasure trove.

Notice the sparse little clusters of pink flowers which are not as abundant as they used to be

With modernization and globalization it appears as if diversity is gradually disappearing and more of a monoculture is emerging on all levels of existence. The variety of plant species is disappearing, whether it’s vegetable types or flowers and wildlife in general. We are being left with just a relative few basic options in food types as well as all types of local indigenous cultural diversities scattered across the planet.

Even this weedy looking specimen adds to the overall splash of color on the path to Oz for every Dorothy in this world who has left Kansas

The homogenization of civilization is occurring and in time these miniature little divergent floral species may become extinct, along with many animals and human cultures. Hopefully they will be recorded for posterity, if they can’t be protected or preserved. So if you want to see the rich diversity that still exists on the planet then feel inspired to make your way to this slowly evaporating fynbos floral kingdom on the southernmost shore of Africa and discover the hidden treasures for yourself.

Small and unassuming little red and yellow flowers among the numerous "fynbos" indigenous species

(photos my own)