Barrydale Flora

Barrydale is situated in transitional veld on the northern opening of the Tradouws pass leading through the Langeberg mountain range. The mountain range on the south of the town has fynbos vegetation, while the area north of the town is the beginning of the winter rainfall succulent Karoo.

The fynbos of this area contains such species as the white sugarbush protea, Protea repens, the King protea, Protea cynaroides (see picture above - left), the Queen protea, Protea magnifica and endemics such as Leucodendron tradouwensis and Erica tradouwensis and Erica barrydalensis. (see picture above - right.)

The Winter Rainfall Succulent Karoo also known as the Little Karoo, directly surrounding Barrydale, is known for its distinctive Aloe striata; botterboom, Tylecodon paniculatus; Concertina plant, Crassula rupestris and Yellow Milkbush, Euphorbia mauritanica.

Further into the Little Karoo where the climate is more arid, large quartzite patches can be found where the smaller, compact type succulent is more prevalent. These plants depend on the reflecting properties of the quarts to keep the soil cool from the sun. Interestingly enough, quite a significant number of woody, herbaceous perennial plants which have definite horticultural potential for the more arid areas of the country, can also be found throughout the Little Karoo. These include the white bietou, Dimorphatheca cuneata; the bloubekkie, Heliophila suavissima, the gousblom, Arctotis adpressa, the kattekruie, Ballota africana and the blue flowering Freylinia decurrens. Bulb plants include the lovely white Tritonia bakerii which flowers later and longer than most of the other spring bulbs; Drimia sp. with its dramatic tulip like leaves and the bloutulp, Moraea polystachya Road verge pioneers predominantly include Drosanathemum latipetulum, Gazania krebsiana, Ruschia pungens, Sutherlandia frutescens and Dianthus thunbergii.

These transitions from one veld type to another makes Barrydale a very interesting place to visit. Botanically much can be seen within a few kilometers of the town. There is something during each season which is attractive to plant loving person. In Spring a multitude of bulbs can be seen flowering in and around town; Summer heralds the orchid flowering season on the Langeberg, autumn shows the start of the protea season and winter is the best time to see the succulent veld in full flower with a myriad of colours.