Fynbos: Difference between revisions

The most conspicuous components of the [[flora]] are [[evergreen]] [[sclerophyll]]ous plants, many with [[ericoid]] leaves and gracile habit, as opposed to timber forest. Several plant families are conspicuous in fynbos; the [[Proteaceae]] are prominent, with genera such as ''[[Protea]]'', ''[[Leucospermum]]'' (the "pincushions"), and ''[[Leucadendron]]'' (the [[Leucadendron argenteum|silver tree]] and "[[cone bush]]es"). Proteas are represented by many species and are prominent in the landscape, generally with large striking flowers, many of which are pollinated by birds, and others by small mammals. Most of these do not have anything like ericoid leaves, and nor do most [[Rhamnaceae]], [[Fabaceae]], or [[Geraniaceae]]. Fynbos [[Ericaceae]] include more species of ''Erica'' than all other regions combined. They are popularly called heaths and are generally smaller plants bearing many small, tubular or globular flowers and [[ericoid]] leaves. [[Restionaceae]] also occur in greater variety in fynbos than anywhere else; their species are superficially grass-like. Many of them grow in wet areas such as seasonal marshes and spongy basins in the sources of mountain streams, but others grow in decidedly arid conditions.

 

 

===Vegetation types===