Swartland Shale Renosterveld

[1] This unique type of Renosterveld vegetation occurs over the Swartland and Boland areas, on the West Coast lowlands to the north of Cape Town.

The remaining patches are threatened by invasive alien plants and further development, making this vegetation type critically endangered.

Termite mounds create large, round hummocks called “heuweltjies”, that are a prominent feature of this vegetation type, appearing as pale spots on the landscape.

[3] The vast majority of Swartland Shale Renosterveld has been lost (the target of saving 26% is now unattainable, as 90% is already completely transformed for farming).

Remnants survive in tiny isolated patches within farmland, usually only on rougher, steeper ground that cannot be cultivated.

The Spider Orchid, a geophyte found in Swartland Shale Renosterveld vegetation
Geissorhiza radians flowers in Swartland Shale Renosterveld , South Africa.
Swartland Shale Renosterveld at Tygerberg Nature Reserve , Cape Town