The Cape Floral Region, which is one of South Africas eight World Heritage Sites, is described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as one of the areas richest in plant variety in the world.The region stretches from the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. Although it covers only 90000 square kilometres, it comprises eight different protected areas. These are Table Mountain National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, Boland Mountain Complex, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Bosmansbos Nature Reserve, Swartberg Complex and Baviaanskloof.

It is home to more than 8500 different species of fynbos (translated from Afrikaans as slender scrub) and includes South Africas national flower, the King Protea. Endimicity is also high at 68 percent. The richness of plant life can be put into perspective if compared to the British Isles, which has only 1492 species in 308000 square kilometres.The number of species per genus is 9:1 and per family it is 52.There are six floral kingdoms in the world and fynbos forms one all on its own. It is however the only kingdom occurring in one country only. Although it comprises less than 1 percent of the African continent, it sustains 20 percent of all its flora.The vegetation in this region has developed unique adaptations and strategies for survival and reproduction, making them of outstanding value to science.

Of particular interest are the plants adaptive responses to fire and their nutrient cycling.

The region experiences regular fires and the soil across the whole belt is nutrient-poor. The plants adapted themselves to these conditions by becoming what is known as obligate seeders. When a fire occurs, germination of seeds takes place immediately and the plant begins a new life-cycle. Instead of trying to develop deep roots to survive a fire and starving in the process because of limited nutrients, the plants rather put their growth into new generations. This has contributed to the rapid increase in new species and resulted in a highly diverse plant community.Fynbos also displays unique patterns of pollination and seed dispersal. This can be illustrated by the role of ants. About 30 percent of fynbos plants produce fleshy structures called elaiosomes which are attached to their seeds. Elaiosomes attract ants because they are rich in lipids and proteins. The ants take the seeds to their nests to feed the larvae and in so doing, protect the seeds from fire. When the larvae have consumed the elaiosomes, the ants take the seeds to their waste disposal area, where the seeds germinate in the rich nutrients found there. This is called mutualism in pollination biology, because both sides benefit.Certain birds such as the Cape sugarbird and the orange breasted sunbird are found only in fynbos and may play an important role in pollinating the flowers from which they drink nectar.The area has also been declared one of eighteen biodiversity hotspots in the world, which means there is a significant reservoir for biodiversity but it is under threat from humans.

Many visitors to the country might not have the time or resources to tour the whole region. The Cape Floral Kingdom Expo which takes place annually in Bredasdorp in the Western Cape from 29 August to 1 September is an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with fynbos.A visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, which forms part of the Heritage Site, is another practical alternative to travelling huge distances. The garden stretches over 528 hectares, of which 36 are cultivated. Kirstenbosch offers a wealth of information on fynbos.

A ride up Table Mountain on its well known aerial cableway will also provide an opportunity to see this unique vegetation from up close, as well as experience magnificent views of Cape Town.