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

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.

Stewardship and Grasslands: An interview with Isabel Johnson

South Africa’s grasslands covers one third of the country, and are home to an extraordinary range of biodiversity. With more than twenty years of involvement in various aspects of plant conservation

Endangered Species Day: Threatened Plants of South Africa

So what is a threatened species? How does a species become threatened with extinction? South Africa is currently home to around 20 000 known species of plants, constituting around 10% of all plant species found on Earth.

Meet the Marasmodes: A celebration for Freedom Day

So what are Marasmodes? Marasmodes are a small genus of shrubs that belong to the Asteraceae or Daisy family. There are currently thirteen recognised species, all of which grow in lowland renosterveld and fynbos vegetation.

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

Upcoming Events

Great Southern Bioblitz Umbrella

How many wild animals and plants live in your area? Are there any threatened species? Help scientists by documenting the wildlife in your area from the 25 – 28 September 2020 anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cape Town’s Journal | Observations

View on iNaturalist

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

Call for Nominations: BotSoc Honours and Awards 2020

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their contribution to conservation, promotion and appreciation of South Africa’s indigenous flora? The call is now open for nomination for BotSoc’s annual honours and awards.

Toni touches base with the Southern Cape

Whether over the fairylike white bells of Erica formosa, the satin sheen of Struthiola ciliata (Rope Capespray), or the fluffy tufts of Tarchonanthus littoralis (Coastal Camphor Tree) in flower, the members of Outramps CREW

Pondoland’s medicinal plants treasures

To celebrate African Traditional Medicine Day on 31 August, Zoë Chapman Poulsen interviewed pioneering Pondoland conservationist

Our Living Libraries: Why are Botanical Gardens so important?

Today South Africa’s botanical gardens hold an extraordinary and diverse range of plant collections, representing South Africa’s megadiverse flora across all its ecosystems.

Southern Overberg Branch: Mandela Day at Flower Valley

Despite rain in Cape Town, the day was not disrupted, in fact the sky cleared. Before going out to the veld, the Flower Valley management were keen to share their enthusiasm for all the activities Flower Valley Trust

Bankenveld Branch: Trees, Shrubs & Groundcovers Walk

Despite the cold and dry Highveld winter, the gardens were looking beautiful and are as always, a haven of peace away from the hustle and bustle of the city.