South Africa's ‘botanical gold mine’: threats and prospects

Abstract

South Africa has an amazing floral diversity—a ‘Botanical Gold Mine’. This perspective paper on the botanical wealth of South Africa deals with some aspects of botanical research over recent years and changes in research focus. It highlights some of the successful avenues of our research and draws attention to the threats and prospects that, depending on their management, will either lead to the demise or sustain-able exploration of South Africa's natural heritage.