Know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa’s indigenous plants

KNOW

GROW

Protect

ENJOY

People for Plants

There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow on South African soil. The Botanical Society of South Africa (NPO 003-394) is a member-driven organisation that offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Our mission is to win the hearts, minds and material support of individuals and organisations, wherever they may be, for the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora and vegetation of South Africa.

Know

Learn about South Africa’s diverse indigenous plant heritage, why their ecosystems matter so much, and how to conserve them in your own area. Read more.

Grow

Meet like-minded people who grow indigenous plants for enjoyment and conservation. Plant South African flora and watch these naturally water-wise plants create a safe haven for pollinators and wildlife at home. Read more.

Protect

Initiate, implement and maintain effective conservation efforts in rural and urban landscapes, wherever you are in South Africa, with the support of knowledgeable experts partnering with many other organisations to build our network. Read more.

Enjoy

From wild spaces and botanical gardens, to urban green corridors and your own backyard, our flora will ensure South Africa is a beautiful environment that brings people together with nature and each other. Read more.

Conserving our natural heritage, for all, forever

The Botanical Society was formed more than a century ago to help develop and support the country’s national botanical gardens. BotSoc’s mission has since grown to supporting plant conservation across South Africa through its branches and by working with key partners.

Our Conservation Work

BotSoc champions biodiversity conservation in South Africa to protect our extraordinary plant diversity and ecosystems.

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CREW

STEWARDSHIP

CYCADS

CPUT

Latest Conservation News

Bloodcobs & Vampire Cups: The Secret Life of Parasitic Plants

A parasitic plant is defined as a plant that derives all of its nutrients from another plant through various different adaptations.

National Weedbuster Week: An Introduction to Alien Invasive Plants

An invasive alien plant is a plant that is not indigenous to South Africa or the ecosystem in which it is found growing within the country.

What is Succulent Karoo? An Introduction

Famous the world over for its extraordinary biodiversity, the Succulent Karoo biome is home to the richest succulent flora on earth.

South Africa’s Bushveld Vegetation: An Introduction

According to some scientists, bushveld is considered a primarily vernacular term used in South Africa and Namibia for the vegetation that comprises South Africa’s Savanna Biome.

A new field guide for Overberg Renosterveld

The publication of The Field Guide to the Renosterveld of the Overberg, is a manifestation of this kind of effort; another clear milestone for a committed group of people who care deeply

Earth Overshoot Day: Climate Crisis Impacts on South Africa’s Plant Diversity

With 60% of humanity’s ecological footprint being carbon, there is no hiding from the climate crisis, which is already impacting on the ecosystems and biodiversity of southern Africa.

Community and Partnerships: Restoration planting at Princess Vlei

Located on the Cape Flats near the suburbs of Fairways, Southfield, Heathfield, Grassy Park, and Retreat, Princess Vlei forms the gateway to the wetlands system of the False Bay Ecology Park

A Megadiverse Country: Introducing South Africa’s biodiversity hotspots

South Africa is a country that is world famous for its extraordinary biodiversity. Recognised as one of the earth’s 17 megadiverse nations which combined contain two thirds of the world’s plant diversity, South Africa sits in the top ten nations for plant species richness worldwide.

Botanical Gardens

BotSoc is a proud partner and funder of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), caretaker of our country’s 11 official National Botanical Gardens, as well as other privately run living libraries.

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FEATURED GARDEN
KIRSTENBOSCH

Free State

Kwa-Zulu Natal

DURBAN

KWELERA

Garden Route

LOWVELD

Hantam

Pretoria

Harold Porter

Thohoyandou

Karoo Desert

Walter Sisulu

Feel good about your Contribution to Conservation

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WHY JOIN?

Join hands with us

The Botanical Society of South Africa works to promote the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora of southern Africa for the benefit and sharing of all. Donating to BotSoc helps us to form new partnerships and mobilise resources to make worthy contributions, such as creating sustainable jobs and livelihood opportunities in South Africa’s conservation economy.

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People for Plants

There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow all over South Africa. BotSoc SA (NPO 003-394) offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Together, we are a critical mass of people uniting through our love for protecting plants. Sign up as a member today and feel good about your contribution to conservation.

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MEMBER FEATURE

Interview with Elise Buitendag, author of ‘Genesis of a Garden’

Elise’s favourite part of Lowveld NBG is the walk down to the rocks overlooking the Nels River. When the garden was first founded, this area was still bush until the viewpoint we see today was carefully cleared, taking great care not to damage any valuable trees. Read more

Veld and Flora Available online

Discover more about southern Africa’s glorious and fascinating plants in Veld & Flora, the Botanical Society’s flagship publication! Find out more.

News from our Members

Community and Biodiversity: Fun at the Fynbos Festival

Offering entertainment and environmental education for all ages, the main aim of the Fynbos Festival was to raise awareness among the urban Cape Town community of the value, beauty and biodiversity of fynbos.

Spring Flower Watch: Harmony Flats Nature Reserve

Located on the Cape Flats between Gordon’s Bay and Strand, Harmony Flats is one of the biodiversity gems of the City of Cape Town’s diverse network of nature reserves.

Professor Neil Crouch awarded the Botanical Society’s Marloth Medal

Professor Neil Crouch was presented with the Marloth Medal in a light-hearted ceremony at the Durban Botanic Gardens on Monday, 22 October.

Spring Flower Watch: Hantam National Botanical Garden

We arrived at Hantam National Botanical Garden at noon and hopped onto the SANBI flower viewing vehicle (in addition to the multiple responsibilities of a curator, Eugene

Spring Flower Watch: Hantam National Botanical Garden

The first of our weekly Spring Flower Watch series comes from Hantam National Botanical Garden in Nieuwoudtville.

Reporting Back on the 2019 National AGM

On 12 February the Botanical Society held its national Annual General Meeting at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens with the meeting attended by more than 250 members. The AGM was held early to elect a new council following on from the Interim Council elected on 17 August 2018. The financial statements from 2016, 2017 and 2018 […]