Bossies/Plants

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The elegant slopes and mineral-rich folds of the Makhonjwa Mountains are covered by wonderfully rich and varied plant life. After the Cape floral kingdom, the Barberton Mountainland has the next highest biodiversity index. As much as the mineral content of the soil, the sharply varying altitude plays a part in biodiversity, leading to a range of plants from fynbos-like proteas, restios and ericas, to lowveld specials such as tree aloes.

The best known of the local endemic plants is the Barberton Daisy, Gerbera jamesonii, the original species that gave rise to the modern commercial Gerbera, possibly the most fashionable cut flower around the world. Another endemic has become a garden favourite, Pride-of-de Kaap, Bauhinia galpinii, a scrambling shrub with camels-foot leaves and flaming orange flowers.

The smallest and rarest of the endemic proteas is a little chap called Protea roupelliae subsp. hamiltonii, a dwarf prostrate shrub. Found only in a small area in Nelshoogte between Barberton and Badplaas, the Dr Hamilton Protea Reserve, is an area of leached-out soil, surrounded by walls of pine plantation. The plants bear delicate white flowers and sepals.

The prettiest rare protea is the Barberton Protea, Protea curvata. This is found on a few hills of serpentine rock, just north of the town. Standing about four metres high, the tree bears curved grey-green leaves; dark red bracts frame the masses of velvety, rose pink flowers. Plants that grow on serpentine rock are particularly interesting, since the rock is rich in metals such as nickel and chromium, which make the soil toxic. Some endemics to serpentines, like Berkheya coddii, a daisy-like perennial herb with spine-tipped bristly leaves, are able to absorb the toxic metals from the soil.

The deeply folded kloofs and gorges are self protecting in their ruggedness, creating mini-environments protected from fire, harsh winds, man and beast. In one of these gorges, previously unrecorded plants have been discovered which are also found in places like the Nyika Plateau in Malawi or the Chirinda Forest of Eastern Zimbabwe, plants unrelated to the Barberton Centre of Plant Endemism. These lost valleys nurture relic fragments of an extensive lowland forest which existed when wetter conditions prevailed. These mountains hold hidden evidence of ages past in more than just their geology.

For more information contact:

Lowveld Branch of the Botanical Society, (Nelspruit) Jo Onderstall at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or (013) 744 0241

Plant Specialist Group (Lydenburg): John Burrows, Phone/fax: 013-235 3851, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Gerbera Society e-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it