Fynbos is a wild, mainly evergreen shrub that grows in a small area of the western cape of South Africa. Fynbos is an Afrikaans word for ‘fine bush’ which describes its needle-like leaves.

One of the most recongizable fynbos plants is the protea, pictured here. The King Protea is South Africa’s national flower.

Fynbos species require the intense heat of a fire to enable their seeds to germinate, or to grow. Some varieties keep their seeds for up to one year in preparation for a fire.

© ProjectExplorer.org, 2003-present
Text by Rebecca Marks Image by Meredith Claire/p>