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

Explore the Eateries that Embrace Indigenous

Restaurants across South Africa are showcasing the delicious potential of indigenous plants. The BotSoc team went in search of the eateries that are celebrating local biodiversity by choosing indigenous ingredients.

Weeds: From nuisance to nouvelle cuisine

Putting Indigenous Crops Back on the Menu

Earlier this year, a special dinner celebrated culinary agrobiodiversity by shining a light on the potential of indigenous plant ingredients. In a world dominated by a lack of crop diversity, RICHARD HAY and DR HENNIE FISHER reflect on the success of the first Indigenous and Orphans Crops Dinner.

Free State Branch Celebrates SANBI Free State National Botanical Gardens Staff

Free State Branch Celebrates SANBI Free State National Botanical Gardens staff

Reflections of spring on the Highveld plateau

Reflections of spring on the Highveld plateau As Earth’s axial tilt brings the southern hemisphere closer to the sun, days become longer and the cold grip of winter loosens its hold. The shift in temperature and day length triggers the arrival of spring flowering across South Africa. While the iconic floral displays of the west coast signal the end of the growing season, the species in Gauteng are breaking dormancy in anticipation of the summer rains and the start of the new growth cycle.

10 tips for a Winter Eco School

“My favourite part was going to the lake at the Durban botanic gardens to learn all about it and the nature that is there,”

Picture perfect

Discover the secrets behind those great photographs released by Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – and taken by photographer and environmental interpretation officer Alice Notten

At home in fynbos

Martina Treurnicht calls herself a fynbosser – someone energised by all things fynbos – and brings a love of nature and the outdoors to her role as BotSoc’s conservation project manager.

Turning my conservation dreams into reality

Ever since I was a little girl I have found myself drawn to nature and conservation

BotSoc Conservation Webinar: Indigenous food – From field trials to table

In our final webinar for 2023, we take a look at South Africa’s indigenous crops: at how to choose them, grow them, and also how to eat them!

On the shelves

Virtual plant pleasures

When you are not in the field this summer, you can find your plant fix exploring SANBI’s new, free-access e-Flora

In the wild with Ernst van Jaarsveld

Russian researcher LIUDMILA OZEROVA celebrates plant guru Ernst van Jaarsveld turning 70 this year through her cherished memories of going into the field with him

Webinar: Where to enjoy nature’s bounty this spring

From the middle of the country, we’re joined by Nondumiso Magija of the Free State National Botanical Garden.

The soul of a hiker

Nina du Plessis is a financial administrator but she was born with hiking in her soul

A mystery of mangroves

Their getaway in northern Mozambique set honeymooners JOANNE & JONATHAN DEIGHTON a surprise puzzle

Solving orchid puzzles

The contents of a plant pot set Dean Phillips on a trail through four provinces to pin down the identities of a baffling genus of forest orchids.

Growing branches, growing people, growing communities

Young people in Limpopo are making their voices heard for plant conservation. In order to achieve that, they have relaunched the Limpopo branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa.

110 years of protecting plants

We’re 110 years old! That makes the Botanical Society of South Africa one of the oldest and most established environmental non-profit organisations in South Africa.

Circle of life

“I wanted to pass on information and insights that I had gathered about the bushveld and what makes it tick in a format that is readable, less scientific and novel,”

Follow the Eastern Cape’s plant signals

Stretching inland from the Eastern Cape’s magnificent beaches lies the fascinating Albany biodiversity hotspot.

Pride from abroad

It was only when I made my first visit ever to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew that I truly felt the sense of pride sink in.

Get out and get active! Take a hike with BotSoc branches

“Walking is man’s best medicine.” We couldn't agree more!

Engage all your senses in this world first for plant lovers

Plants, people and poems converge in the Karoo Desert

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The shining scarlet seeds of the forest mahogany i

Our BotSoc branches are as busy as ever this March

The attractive pink and white flowerheads of the S

Climate-smart gardening in autumn - our plant cons

Hours

Open Monday to Friday 10h00 to 14h00. Closed on weekends and public holidays.

The National BotSoc office will be closed on Friday 6 December 2024.

The National BotSoc office will close for the festive break from 12:00 (midday) on 24 December 2024 to 3 January 2025, and reopen 6 January 2025.

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