The Biomes and Vegetation of South Africa

At a global scale the vegetation of the world is sometimes described in terms of six Floristic Regions, often called the Floral Kingdom of the world. The distinction between regions is based on distinctive suites of flowering plants, taking into account those (particularly families) that are exclusive (endemic) to the region. Confined to South Africa is one of these distinct kingdoms; the Cape Floral Kingdom, covering 0.08% of the world's land surface, but containing about 3% of the world's plant species. For more information about the Cape Floral Kingdom, see Fynbos Biome below.