SUCCULENT PLANTS OF NAMAQUALAND…
Namaqualand in Southern Africa is one of our planet’s richest botanical treasures.
Spring time in Namaqualand usually brings carpets of bright orange, yellow and white flowers. Commonly known as Namaqualand Daisies.
However, it is not only the Namaqualand Daisy that bring us this flower landscape – it is also the succulent plants of Namaqualand that make this region in the world so special.
According to most international definitions, Namaqualand as a region is classified as a desert. It is a barren dry land for more than 9 months a year. It is only during spring time – for two or three months – that this desert transform into a flower paradise.
Most of the worlds succulent plants can be found in Namaqualand. In fact, here are some stats according to Florent Grenier, Author of the book ” Secrets of Namaqualand Succulents”.
- Namaqualand, in Southern Africa is part of the GCFR (The Greater Cape Floristic Region). The GCFR is the smallest of the six recognised floral kingdoms of the world.
- Namaqualand is in the most northern part of the GCFR which comprises of more than 9000 indigenous plant species.
- To put this in context: This region has six times more different plant species than the entire United Kingdom, while is 3 times bigger in size than the GCFR.
- The GCFR (The Greater Cape Floristic Region) is the most important hotspot in the world for succulent plant biodiversity.
- More than 15% of global succulent plant biodiversity are found here.
- Namaqualand alone has more than 3000 indigenous plant species
- This makes Namaqualand one of the richest semi-arid botanical regions in the world.
- More than 50% of Namaqualand plant species are succulents while more 25% are geophytes.
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