What is Fynbos?

Fynbos means ‘fine bush’ and is a unique type of vegetation that accounts for more than 80 percent of the plant species in the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The king protea – Protea cynaroides. Prized worldwide as a splendid cut flower and probably the best known protea, the King Protea has been South Africa’s national flower since 1976. © by Paul Godard

Over two-thirds of these plant species are not found growing naturally anywhere else in the world. The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest of the six plant kingdoms in the world; although 3 times smaller than the UK, it comprises 6 times more plant species and 290 times more endemic species.

Fynbos is represented by approximately 100 families of which the 3 largest are the small-leaved ericas, the large-leaved proteas, and the grass-like restios.