Plant story
Canthium vanwykii
• Endemic to small area of South Africa
Canthium vanwykii (Photo: Erich van Wyk)
This species is restricted to the outcrops of Natal Group Sandstone in KwaZulu-Natal, which have long been known to harbour numerous plant species which are either uncommon, or absent, on surrounding substrates. This small “island” of sandstone occurring in a narrow band in southern KwaZulu-Natal is known as the Pondoland Centre, since it is one of the principal centres of plant diversity in southern Africa. Like many other plant species restricted to this area, Canthium vanwykii is considered to be endangered.
Story by Paul Smith