Mamre Nature Garden

Mamre Nature Garden is a nature reserve in Cape Town, South Africa, located on the city’s northern outskirts. The reserve has a high degree of biodiversity and preserving the endangered Atlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type and the plants and animals that live in it. In addition, the reserve has an important cultural history.^[1]

Biodiversity

The 254 ha area of Mamre Nature Garden protects a rare and valuable piece of the endangered Atlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type. Among the many plants to be found here are Protea repens, Gladiolus gracilis (“bloupypie”), Salvia lanceolata, Erica decora. A variety of animals can also be found at this reserve.^[2]

Cultural History

This area used to be called “Geelvlei” (Yellow vlei) because of the masses of small yellow flowers that covered the area. Unfortunately much of the wetland area and floral richness is now gone. A settlement was established here in 1701 by the Cape governor, and it was home to a Moravian mission at Louwskloof – now a National Heritage Site. The September Spring Flower Festival used to be held here, due to this spot’s impressive annual display of indigenous wildflowers. The festival now takes place nearby at Mamre.^[3]

See also

• Biodiversity of Cape Town
• List of nature reserves in Cape Town

References

1. ^ "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept". http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Pages/BrochuresBooklets.aspx. 
2. ^ "Flora of the Western Cape". http://www.calflora.net/southafrica/capeflora.html. 
3. ^ "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet". http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/CCT_Nature_Reserves_book_2010-02.pdf.