The Western Cape’s ancient landscapes form one of the world’s most biodiverse regions: the Cape Floristic Region. Home to around 10,000 plant species—most found nowhere else—this biome thrives through intricate relationships between plants, animals, and insects. Some fynbos species rely exclusively on a single insect for pollination, a bond formed over millennia. Today, human activity threatens these delicate connections.

The Grootbos Florilegium uses scientific illustration to reveal these stories, showcasing indigenous fynbos plants alongside their interconnected species, and offering a deeper understanding of this unique and fragile ecosystem.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located in the Southern Overberg, is renowned for its luxury lodges and its 25-year commitment to fynbos conservation and botanical research. In 2018, Grootbos launched a florilegium—a collection of botanical illustrations featuring native plant species. Local and international artists were invited to contribute, highlighting the region’s botanical richness. The project fosters appreciation for the ecological complexity of plants and supports ongoing conservation work through public engagement and fundraising.