In Cape Town, South Africa, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden recently celebrated its 108th birthday. It was established in 1913, and since its modest beginnings, it has developed into one of Africa’s most renowned botanical gardens.
A wide and varied collection of indigenous South African plants from all across the country is on display at Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden situated on the lower slopes of the famous Table Mountain.
More than 20,000 plant species can be found in South Africa, which is a megadiverse nation. And these are only the ones we are aware of. Scientists often characterize new species, which keeps the number of species growing.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute is in charge of the country’s national botanical gardens, which are also major hubs for cutting-edge scientific research and conservation efforts.
I started my cycle at the Matthew’s Rockery. At Kirstenbosch, this is a wintertime highlight because all of the aloes are blooming right now. Numerous torches-like and fiery-colored blooms in shades of yellow, red, orange, and green are produced by these architectural succulent bushes.
I observed the local sunbirds chowing down on the plentiful nectar and heard their characteristic call.
They are currently in their breeding season, which was scheduled to provide the greatest amount of food for their young from plants that were in bloom in the winter and the early spring.
I took a break to appreciate the beauty of my surroundings under the massive yellowwood tree as another downpour began to fall. As I continued to ascend upwards through old tree ferns and through the Cycad amphitheatre, the path was lined with blooming Clivias.
The Protea Garden, one of my favorite Kirstenbosch features, is accessible from this walk. Some of the most recognizable fynbos plants in South Africa are proteas. The national flower of South Africa is the King Protea (Protea cynaroides).
The first Pincushions (Leucospermum) were beginning to blossom today. In addition, they belong to the Protea family and are among the most magnificent fynbos flowers.
As I continued beyond the beginning of the Skeleton Gorge route, which ascends through the nearby afrotemperate forest up to the dams on the mountain top, clouds whirled over the plateau of Table Mountain. Nobody knew who the skeleton was until recently.
One of the lesser plant groups (genera) in the Protea family, the Common Pagoda (Mimetes), has unusual red and yellow blossoms that, when in bloom, resemble pyrotechnics. Sunbirds and sugarbirds pollinate their blossoms.
As I turned the corner, I saw a stunning broadleaf sugarbush in full bloom, its bright pink flowers standing out against the delicate grey-green of the foliage. It is well-liked as a cut flower for export.
I continued down the trail and descended to the boomslang, the passage through the garden’s tree canopy. Similar to the dangerous boomslang (tree snake) after which it was named, it winds between the tree limbs.
Visitors can see breath-taking views of Cape Town and Table Mountain while strolling along the boomslang. This time, I found the odd experience of gazing down at the enormous white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) in full bloom to be really enjoyable.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden exploration was a lovely way to spend the morning. I consider myself fortunate to live among such a treasure of wildlife.
