South African plant paradise From page 8 Finally, for long periods the world’s sea level was higher than it is today und this separated the Cape Peninsula from the mainland. The isolation allowed many of the plant species that were endemic to the Cape to evolve without competition. Cape Flora includes several veg- etation types but the most uniqu and dominant one is referred to as “fynbos” (or fine leufed bush). ‘This group of plants has adapted to the poor soils. dry summer winds and frequent fires. Nature reserve managers have determined that a fire every 10 to 20 years is actually beneficial in most areas. The various species have become selective to soil types and some will only grow close to the coast on alkaline soils while others prefer the more acidic soils further inland. Fynbos vegetation is dominated by six or seven plant families. The Protea family (Proteaceae) is one of the largest and most eye- catching. They tend to be shrub’ plants or smaii trees and some have large showy flower heads. In recent year, some of the more striking flowers of the Protea group have been introduced to our local floral :.“rket as cut or dried flowers. There are more than 100 species varying in color from creamy yel- low to deep red or maroon, The spectacular King Protea (Protea cynaroides) grows to one metre and can support a half dozen blooms at once ‘vith diameters up to 25 cm. The erica or heath family is also widely represented and generally forms a secondary layer of vegeta- tion under the Protea group. With more than 500 species, there is a wide variety of flowering times, heights and leaf characteristics. Many are recognizable as members of the heath family but few resem- bie the commonly planted heath varieties found in focal gardens. A third group of plants belongs to the restios family (Restionaceae). Most grow as clumps of segmented cane of ceeds that vary from 20. cm to two metres. Many have a short white and brown spathe-like leaf and long wiry cascading plumes extending from each joint or node. This family is unique to the Southern Hemisphere with a con- centration of species in South Africa. The flowers and seed heads are prominent and typical of most sedges. Contrasting green stalks and plumes against brown spathes and seed heads make them an attractive plant. They have long been used as raw material for the extremely com- mon and beautiful thatched roofs in South Afric: Another indigenous and com- mon plant in this area is the pelargonium (Pelargonium cuccula- tus), We work so hard to grow them here as specimen plants and they grow there in great clumps as road- side weed: The suuthern tip of South Africa is especially rich in bulbous plants such as gladiolus, acidunthera, wat- sonia and related species. Cape flora doesn’t live in iso tion any longer. The climactic di sity of the region has allawed the successful introduction of plants and trees from many other parts of t world. When you add all these other non-indigenous sub-trepical plants to the scene. the area is tly at plant-lovers paradise. Thank You! FOR A GREAT YEAR. Wendy, John, Chris, Marnie, Christopher and Sox wish you and 1 | another Valor: your birds a very happy New Year. * BC Gas financing available ¢ FREE estimates ¢ Showroom hours: Gas Fireplaces ‘ Mon-Fri 8am-3pm Rettarming homes since 1XW) NOVA HEATING & Sheet Metal Ltd. | | 1190 Marine Dr. (at Pemberton) farming homes for over ears . 663 West 3rd St, N. Van ‘ 988-3922 N 988-21 1234 SOB W012 yon sAtoe See [Goods satisfactory or money refunded] «