Fynbos... our national treasure

As the autumn fades towards winter, the month of May promises a grand finale, which brings a feeling of anticipation of the beauty that is to come.

- SUE HILLYARD

This is the month when the fynbos 'buried treasure' begin to emerge into bloom; when the Protea bushes are flowering vigorously; when South Africa triumphs at Chelsea Flower Show with gold, and serious gardeners set about planting more proteacae.

Those of us in the Helderberg, who are fortunate to live among fynbos, are delighted daily by what emerges from the land. I love all fynbos, but there is a special place in my heart for the geophytes - bulbs.

Within the first week of May, the awakening of the Gladiolus becomes evident. You need to know where to find the colonies, and have a sharp eye to see them.

The first arrival is the Gladiolus maculatus (Brown Afrikaner). Their flowers are the size of your thumbnail, and their colour reminiscent of Autumn.

Others to follow are Gladiolus hirsutus, gracilus, alatus. Between May and October is the time to see all species of geophyte in flower - Babiana, Ixia, Lachenalia, Moraea, to name a few, and to walk the mountain and see these beauties in their natural habitat is like a treasure hunt.

Sir Lowry's Pass resident and avid mountain climber, Steve Chadwick, guides walks up the mountain to enable those, who have the interest, to see the fynbos theatre and to enjoy the sights and the exercise.

Steve knows all the trails and has walked them many times, as well as a guide for visitors who want to experience 'The Cape Floral Kingdom' at first hand.

He has published a guide on The Helderberg & Hottentots Holland Mountain Rim which not only details the trails, but also includes the history, stories from locals, caves and Rock Art.

Andrew Jackson, is the Environmental Manager on Idiom and Wedderwill. I asked him what type of fynbos is found in the Sir Lowry's Pass environs.