The Cape Folded Belt mountains, home to fynbos, are as old as geological formations, dating back some 280 million years ago.
Researchers suggest fynbos is over four million years old, and some of its components are about 60 million years old.
J.H. Vlok & J.J. Yeaton from the University of Cape Town, studied fynbos-forest dynamics and concluded fire is pivotal in maintaining the biome.
Lars Hedin from Princeton University, is among international researchers who found fynbos and forests are alternative stable states, where the former, needs fire to thrive.
Sean Privett, Conservation Manager of Grootbos Nature Reserve, has witnessed first hand, the regenerative power of fire, on fynbos.
The Reserve right at the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, is located some 30 minutes from Hermanus, a 2-hour drive from the Cape Town.
It is part of 91,000 square kilometres of 9000 flowering plants.
About 1,091 of these, are found in Grootbos and 131, are of conservation concern.
A wildfire in December, propelled by erratic winds, burnt half the Estate.
“The reserve had not had fire in about two decades, when suddenly a wildfire burnt some 50% of the reserve, in December 2025” said Privett.
He said controlled burns would be conducted in relatively smaller areas, which can be restrictive for fynbos.
Privett also shared evidence of underground species, both local and exotic, which took advantage of the recent fire, to spring up!
Picture from Sean Privett: Underground Fynbos after fire: Liparia splendens- the mountain dahlia flowering just a few weeks after the fire and the Cyrtanthus leucanthus – witbergpypie – an endangered species that flowered a few weeks after the fire.
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