Floral rejuvenation after seasonal fires on the south coast of Africa

Today’s section of my hiking trail along the south Cape coast of Africa has revealed some inspiringly magical sights. The beauty of the wild and rugged shoreline really appeals to me. The local Fynbos indigenous vegetation appears to grow right up to the boulders at the sea shore itself. In some places the sea even splashes up against the vegetation at high tides.

Lush indigenous ground cover alongside the sea shore nearby

These hardy and tenacious local flora are resilient to the heat and cold it seems. They consist mostly of ground cover and low shrubs or bushes. That may be due to the wind and other climactic and terrain conditions. In valleys along the shoreline there are bigger trees which benefit from the shelter.

Hiking trail from the shoreline up to the cliff tops through the indigenous flora

This stretch of the Cape south coast of Africa is called the Garden Route due to its green environment. The Plettenberg Bay hiking trail is indeed impressive for any outdoor adventure seekers or hikers. Curiously this region is subject to occasional fires. The entire stretch of the South African southern coastline has a seasonal fire risk, stretching all the way from Cape Town in the far west, to Plettenberg Bay 550kms in the east, where I’m hiking today.

Floral rejuvenation around the remaining charred trees from the last fire five years ago

The summer is always a potential fire risk time and about five years ago a massive historic 150 year fire swept through this particular stretch of the coast. You can still see all the charred trees among the new vegetation. Ironically that fire was in the winter here, precipitated primarily by severe gale force winds which blew for three days. As a result the fire continued for three days and ravaged two coastal towns, namely Plettenberg Bay and Knysna about 25 kms further west. And of course much of the space between.

Further signs of the massive historic fire that swept through this region five years ago

What is truly amazing is the ability for the local indigenous vegetation to renew itself and grow back so nicely after the fire disaster. Trees are still less obvious and may need more years to grow since they are slow, but the ground cover has sprung back from the ashes of that fire.

Beautiful indigenous Fynbos flowers aided by the white butterfly

The ironic thing about this indigenous Fynbos flora is that some of it is actually germinated by such fires. Apparently some seeds lie dormant for years and are only germinated when there is a bush fire to trigger them. It sounds unusual and counter-intuitive but there it is. The most beautiful flowers will be absent for years but will emerge after the fire has helped them to germinate once more.

Completely natural shocking pink indigenous Cape African flowers on display

Obviously nature has adapted to the climate and conditions over thousands of years, actually using the occasional fires to its advantage. So occasional fires seem to have their benefits. Of course the loss to human habitation in the process is an unfortunate side effect now that we humans are more prolific in our settlements in these regions.

Another tenacious little local South African specimen sprouting up from the rock and ashes overlooking the Indian ocean

Nevertheless, the local residents here on the rugged south coast of Africa may well be quite hardy and resilient themselves, bouncing back after such disasters with even better conditions than before. Perhaps emergency brings out the best in us, or allows us to rise to the occasion, up our game and do the needful.

Back up on the cliff tops after the hike down to the sea shore

(photos my own)

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