How a shared ancient history links South African flora to Australian landscapes
In short: Deep in South Australia, a botanical collection reveals a hidden connection between two distant continents. By studying plants from the South African Fynbos alongside Australian species, we can uncover how life evolved to survive the same harsh, sun-drenched conditions across the remnants of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent.
The Wittunga Botanic Gardens, located thirty minutes south of Adelaide, serves as a living laboratory for studying water-wise vegetation. Originally a private English-style formal garden, the site underwent a radical transformation following a fire in the 1930s. The landscape was eventually redesigned to focus on species capable of thriving in the intense South Australian climate. In 1975, the 13-hectare site was bequeathed to the state and officially became a botanic garden.
The garden’s curation highlights the biological links between Australia and South Africa, two regions once joined as part of the Gondwana supercontinent. Horticultural supervisor Mark Oborn notes that the collection specifically mimics the South African Fynbos—the diverse heathlands found in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. These ecosystems share a common struggle: they must endure hot, dry summers with almost no rainfall and survive in nutrient-poor soils. This environmental pressure has led to the evolution of resilient species, such as various Erica species, which are adapted to these specific stresses.
Maintaining these ancient lineages requires precise horticultural techniques. For species like the strappy plants that grow from rhizomes, gardeners often cut them back to the ground after flowering to trigger new growth. During heat waves, where temperatures can exceed 40°C for consecutive days, deep watering is essential. The garden is also experimenting with sand mulch rather than traditional wood-chip mulch, as sand may better facilitate rain penetration to the root systems. Success with these plants depends heavily on well-drained soil, as they cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. While established plants may not need much feeding, younger plants can benefit from seaweed-based liquid fertiliser during summer to aid establishment, and tube stock may require hand-watering roughly six times during their first summer.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Differences and similarities of plants around the world | Discovery | Gardening Australia
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