Fynbos vegetation grows on sandy, nutrient poor soils. The plants are specially adapted to survive under these conditions, and to gain the most benefit from the sparse soil. Many of the plants occurring in this biodiversity hotspot are unpalatable, yet multiple animals survive here, feeding on the nectar in the variety of flowers and the seeds. Few large predators occur in this biome, meaning a bottom up control exists. If the plants die out, e.g. after a fire, then many of the animals will suffer, since the flow of energy would have temporarily halted.
Woody Vegetation
King Protea (Protea cynaroides)
It can grow to a height of 2m and has a woody stem. The leaves are rounded, leathery and are borne on long red stems. The “flowers” that can be seen are actually flower heads with a large collection of flowers in the middle. The bract colour varies between cream and light pink, and fine hairs occur on the bracts.
It can grow to a height of 2m and has a woody stem. The leaves are rounded, leathery and are borne on long red stems. The “flowers” that can be seen are actually flower heads with a large collection of flowers in the middle. The bract colour varies between cream and light pink, and fine hairs occur on the bracts.
Prince of Whales heath (Erica perspicua)
This is an erect woody shrub that can grow op to over 1m high. It has soft, hairy flowers which grows singly on short branches. Leaves are hairless and clustered together. The flowers contains anther rings and they vary imensly in colour: from pink and white to red and purple. It is found mostly in low lying marshes, and is pollinated by the local birds, bees and butterflies.
This is an erect woody shrub that can grow op to over 1m high. It has soft, hairy flowers which grows singly on short branches. Leaves are hairless and clustered together. The flowers contains anther rings and they vary imensly in colour: from pink and white to red and purple. It is found mostly in low lying marshes, and is pollinated by the local birds, bees and butterflies.
Wart-stemmed pincushion (Leucospermum cuneiforme)
Grows to a height of 3-6m. The woody stems are rough and grey, with wart-like knobs at the base of the flower stems. The leaves are flattened, with toothed edges at the end. Many stems arise from a underground rootstock. The flowerheads are large and oval and occur at the tips of the stems. Flower colours show some variety, but is mostly bright yellow, although orange can occur. Myrmecochory occurs with ant species that are attracted to the fleshy covering of the seeds.
Grows to a height of 3-6m. The woody stems are rough and grey, with wart-like knobs at the base of the flower stems. The leaves are flattened, with toothed edges at the end. Many stems arise from a underground rootstock. The flowerheads are large and oval and occur at the tips of the stems. Flower colours show some variety, but is mostly bright yellow, although orange can occur. Myrmecochory occurs with ant species that are attracted to the fleshy covering of the seeds.
Herbaceous Vegetation
Red disa (Disa uniflora)
These flowers occur naturally close to streams or waterfalls in the south and south-west of south africa. It is strictly protected, and forms the symbol of the Western Cape. The flowers are mostly red or pinkish, but occasionally yellow flowers have also been seen. The Mountain Pride butterfly is the only known pollinator of this flower.
These flowers occur naturally close to streams or waterfalls in the south and south-west of south africa. It is strictly protected, and forms the symbol of the Western Cape. The flowers are mostly red or pinkish, but occasionally yellow flowers have also been seen. The Mountain Pride butterfly is the only known pollinator of this flower.
Restio (Restio multiflorus)
Can grow op to 1.5m high. It is a reed-like plant with strong, upright stems. The plants photosynthesize from their green stems. There are reduced brown leaves at the nodes of the stems. Male and female flowers occur on different plants, and are extremely small. Male flowers are pale yellow, while female flowers are white and frilly. These plants are wind pollinated, and produce small seeds in capsules.
Can grow op to 1.5m high. It is a reed-like plant with strong, upright stems. The plants photosynthesize from their green stems. There are reduced brown leaves at the nodes of the stems. Male and female flowers occur on different plants, and are extremely small. Male flowers are pale yellow, while female flowers are white and frilly. These plants are wind pollinated, and produce small seeds in capsules.
Carpet geranium (Geranium incanum)
It’s a low growing shrub (30cm), that, when grown in the right conditions, can form large “carpets” of plants. It is a well-loved garden plant, that varies in colour, although it is most often pink or light purple.
It’s a low growing shrub (30cm), that, when grown in the right conditions, can form large “carpets” of plants. It is a well-loved garden plant, that varies in colour, although it is most often pink or light purple.
Invertebrates
Mountain Pride butterfly (Aeropetes tulbaghia)
It is the largest butterfly in South Africa and has a dark brown body and wings, with bright orange lines across the wings. White eye-marks are on the hind wings, surrounded by purple and black circles. They occur in mountainous habitats., and are the only known pollinator of the Red Disa.
It is the largest butterfly in South Africa and has a dark brown body and wings, with bright orange lines across the wings. White eye-marks are on the hind wings, surrounded by purple and black circles. They occur in mountainous habitats., and are the only known pollinator of the Red Disa.
Ants (Myrmicinae)
Lots of species from this ant subfamily occurs in fynbos, so this section will look at the entire subfamily. These ants can be identified by their stinger, which is present in most species, and also the third abdominal segment which is notably smaller than the fourth segment. They have well developed eyes, and partake in myrmecochory, which is the act of dispersing seeds of plants due to the attraction to the eliasomes on the seeds. This is the largest subfamily of ants, and most are omnivores, although some species has specialized into predators, granivores and fungus-growers.
Lots of species from this ant subfamily occurs in fynbos, so this section will look at the entire subfamily. These ants can be identified by their stinger, which is present in most species, and also the third abdominal segment which is notably smaller than the fourth segment. They have well developed eyes, and partake in myrmecochory, which is the act of dispersing seeds of plants due to the attraction to the eliasomes on the seeds. This is the largest subfamily of ants, and most are omnivores, although some species has specialized into predators, granivores and fungus-growers.
Monkey beetle (Hopliini)
These beetles have claws that are unequally sized and movable. They feed on plant litter and plant roots in the soil. They are normally encountered in flowers, and are large and colourfull, with a sheen and hair. This is a diverse group of beetles, and they are disperesed in most habitats in Southern Africa
These beetles have claws that are unequally sized and movable. They feed on plant litter and plant roots in the soil. They are normally encountered in flowers, and are large and colourfull, with a sheen and hair. This is a diverse group of beetles, and they are disperesed in most habitats in Southern Africa
Amphibians and Reptiles
Geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus)
These tortoises are endemic to the fynbos region and restricted to the South-West. They have a high, convex shell with bright yellow and black star-shaped markings. Their marginal shields are higher than it is wide. The front feet have 5 toes, while the hind feet only have 4 toes each. The front legs are covered in unequal sized scales, and they lack buttock tubercules. Females are larger than males.This tortoise is highly threatened (only 2000-3000 left).
These tortoises are endemic to the fynbos region and restricted to the South-West. They have a high, convex shell with bright yellow and black star-shaped markings. Their marginal shields are higher than it is wide. The front feet have 5 toes, while the hind feet only have 4 toes each. The front legs are covered in unequal sized scales, and they lack buttock tubercules. Females are larger than males.This tortoise is highly threatened (only 2000-3000 left).
Hawequa flat gecko (Afrodura hawequensis)
This lizard is endemic to South Africa. It is large, with a thick body. It has clearly visible markings. It looks similar to A. karroica (the Karroo gecko), with large eyes and a grainy skin. It colouration varies between gold and tan coloured, with dark flecks and a light underside.
This lizard is endemic to South Africa. It is large, with a thick body. It has clearly visible markings. It looks similar to A. karroica (the Karroo gecko), with large eyes and a grainy skin. It colouration varies between gold and tan coloured, with dark flecks and a light underside.
Southern adder (Bitis armata)
This small but stocky adder can be identified by the raised scales above its eyes. It has a broad head, that is triangular in shape. Its grey-brown body has redish blotches running town the length of it, as well as several pale patches. Its tail is capable of grasping onto objects. No deaths has ever been reported due to a southern adder bite, although they do have mild venom.
This small but stocky adder can be identified by the raised scales above its eyes. It has a broad head, that is triangular in shape. Its grey-brown body has redish blotches running town the length of it, as well as several pale patches. Its tail is capable of grasping onto objects. No deaths has ever been reported due to a southern adder bite, although they do have mild venom.
Birds
Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer)
It has a pale, redish-brown chest. The males have an extremely long, wispy tail. The underside of the tail is bright yellow, in males and females. Both sexes have a long black beak, a white chin and a black line extending from the beak. They are found close to proteas in open plains and near the coast. It is a major pollinator to the protea species. It is endemic to the fynbos biome of South Africa.
It has a pale, redish-brown chest. The males have an extremely long, wispy tail. The underside of the tail is bright yellow, in males and females. Both sexes have a long black beak, a white chin and a black line extending from the beak. They are found close to proteas in open plains and near the coast. It is a major pollinator to the protea species. It is endemic to the fynbos biome of South Africa.
Orange breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea)
The males and females show distinctive differences in apppearance. The males have a bright green to blueish-green head, with a purple stripe across their chests and an orange underside. The females are a dull olive green. They are endemic to the fynbos biome. They survive mainly of nectar from proteas and ericas, although the also occasionally eat insects.
The males and females show distinctive differences in apppearance. The males have a bright green to blueish-green head, with a purple stripe across their chests and an orange underside. The females are a dull olive green. They are endemic to the fynbos biome. They survive mainly of nectar from proteas and ericas, although the also occasionally eat insects.
Southern double collared sunbird (Cynnyris chalybeus)
The males have a shiny green head, with a red and blue stripe across their chest, and a grey underside. The females are a dull greyish-brown colour. They occur in forests, fynbos and coastal areas. It survives on nectar from a large variety of flowering plants, but is also known to eat flies, beetles and spiders. They are not threatened and have even adapted to man-made environments.
The males have a shiny green head, with a red and blue stripe across their chest, and a grey underside. The females are a dull greyish-brown colour. They occur in forests, fynbos and coastal areas. It survives on nectar from a large variety of flowering plants, but is also known to eat flies, beetles and spiders. They are not threatened and have even adapted to man-made environments.
Mammals
Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis)
These small antelopes (10kg, 54cm) are distinctive because of the supplementary or false hooves above their fetlocks. They are reddish-grey in colour, although the coat is sprinkled with white hair. Their backs are hunched due to the shortend hindlegs. Only the males have tiny, upright horns which slightly slant forward. Often the young are taken by baboons, although their main predators are leopards and caracal. They prefer to graze on grass, but will also eat wild flowers and leaves.
These small antelopes (10kg, 54cm) are distinctive because of the supplementary or false hooves above their fetlocks. They are reddish-grey in colour, although the coat is sprinkled with white hair. Their backs are hunched due to the shortend hindlegs. Only the males have tiny, upright horns which slightly slant forward. Often the young are taken by baboons, although their main predators are leopards and caracal. They prefer to graze on grass, but will also eat wild flowers and leaves.
Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus)
Males can weigh up to 44kg and have a length of 1.5m, while females are slightly smaller at 17kg and 1.2m. These baboons have a grizzeld grey coat, although colour variations occur. They have long tails (about the same length of the head and body), which they carry with the upper third upright when walking. These animals can form troops of up to 50 individuals, which are ruled by a dominant male. They prefer to rest in rocky hills or tall trees. They are omnivores and eat a large variety of plant material, seeds, fruit, invertebrates, antelope and birds. These animals communicate with a load bark which can be heard over great distances.
Males can weigh up to 44kg and have a length of 1.5m, while females are slightly smaller at 17kg and 1.2m. These baboons have a grizzeld grey coat, although colour variations occur. They have long tails (about the same length of the head and body), which they carry with the upper third upright when walking. These animals can form troops of up to 50 individuals, which are ruled by a dominant male. They prefer to rest in rocky hills or tall trees. They are omnivores and eat a large variety of plant material, seeds, fruit, invertebrates, antelope and birds. These animals communicate with a load bark which can be heard over great distances.
Striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio)
They vary from 19-21cm in total length, with the tail contributing to about half of that length. They vary in colour from pale reddish brown to dark greyish brown. They are can be identified by the dark lines running down their backs. Their underside is white, and the tail is darker. Their ears are either reddish brown or yellowish brown. They eat seeds, and also the bracts and styles of protea plants, thus partaking in pollination.
They vary from 19-21cm in total length, with the tail contributing to about half of that length. They vary in colour from pale reddish brown to dark greyish brown. They are can be identified by the dark lines running down their backs. Their underside is white, and the tail is darker. Their ears are either reddish brown or yellowish brown. They eat seeds, and also the bracts and styles of protea plants, thus partaking in pollination.