Silwerboomkloof Natural Heritage Site
Encyclopedia
Silwerboomkloof Natural Heritage Site is a small, protected valley (“kloof”), near the Helderberg Nature Reserve
, in Cape Town
, South Africa
.
The name Silwerboomkloof means “Valley of the Silvertrees”. The rare Silvertree
(Leucadendron argenteum
) is a striking, silver-coloured tree of the Protea family
, and this reserve conserves a forest of them. The iconic Silvertree is actually indigenous to the eastern slopes of Table Mountain
, making the population at Silwerboomkloof a bit of an isolated anomaly.
This 4,9 hectare reserve encloses a section of “Granite Fynbos
” and “Renosterveld
” and a total of around 220 species of plant have been recorded.
Helderberg Nature Reserve
Helderberg Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Cape Town, South Africa.This nature reserve is located on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains. Its 398 ha consist mostly of “Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos” with smaller patches of “Boland Granite Fynbos” and “Southern Afrotemperate Forest”...
, in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The name Silwerboomkloof means “Valley of the Silvertrees”. The rare Silvertree
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
(Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum
Leucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
) is a striking, silver-coloured tree of the Protea family
Proteaceae
Proteaceae is a family of flowering plants distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises about 80 genera with about 1600 species. Together with the Platanaceae and Nelumbonaceae they make up the order Proteales. Well known genera include Protea, Banksia, Embothrium, Grevillea,...
, and this reserve conserves a forest of them. The iconic Silvertree is actually indigenous to the eastern slopes of Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
, making the population at Silwerboomkloof a bit of an isolated anomaly.
This 4,9 hectare reserve encloses a section of “Granite Fynbos
Boland Granite Fynbos
Boland Granite Fynbos is a vulnerable Fynbos vegetation type that occurs in the Western Cape, South Africa.Located in the “Boland” region of the Western Cape, to the north-east of the city of Cape Town, this fynbos has 23 known endemic species that occur nowhere else...
” and “Renosterveld
Renosterveld
Renosterveld is a term used for one of the major plant communities and vegetation types of the Cape Floristic Region which is located in southwestern and southeastern South Africa, in southernmost Africa...
” and a total of around 220 species of plant have been recorded.
See also
- Biodiversity of Cape TownBiodiversity of Cape Town- Floristic region :The city of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom . - Vegetation types :...
- List of nature reserves in Cape Town
- Helderberg Nature ReserveHelderberg Nature ReserveHelderberg Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Cape Town, South Africa.This nature reserve is located on the southern slopes of the Helderberg mountains. Its 398 ha consist mostly of “Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos” with smaller patches of “Boland Granite Fynbos” and “Southern Afrotemperate Forest”...
- Silverleaf TreeLeucadendron argenteumLeucadendron argenteum is an endangered species in the family Proteaceae, endemic to a small area of the Cape Peninsula, in and around the city of Cape Town.-Appearance:...
- Boland Granite FynbosBoland Granite FynbosBoland Granite Fynbos is a vulnerable Fynbos vegetation type that occurs in the Western Cape, South Africa.Located in the “Boland” region of the Western Cape, to the north-east of the city of Cape Town, this fynbos has 23 known endemic species that occur nowhere else...
- RenosterveldRenosterveldRenosterveld is a term used for one of the major plant communities and vegetation types of the Cape Floristic Region which is located in southwestern and southeastern South Africa, in southernmost Africa...