fynbos

British  

/ ˈfeɪnbɒs /

noun

1. a type of vegetation unique to the Mediterranean-climate region of southern and southwestern South Africa, characterized by evergreen hard-leaved shrubs and almost no trees

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Etymology

Origin of fynbos

Afrikaans: fine bush

Example Sentences

The rosette growth habit is found around the world, from the fynbos shrublands of South Africa to the dry grasslands of Australia to the prairies of the American Midwest.

From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2022

A single pine tree consumes at least 20% more water than the fynbos.

From Reuters • Oct. 18, 2021

He pointed out a pile of bricks grown over with fynbos plants—the remnants of his home—and showed me the tree that marks the graves of his parents and his grandparents.

From The New Yorker • May 6, 2019

It is also home to several experts on local species ranging from the penguins that nest on its beaches, to the fynbos shrubland unique to the area.

From Nature • Oct. 30, 2018

It’s on the slopes of Table Mountain, whose streams water the unique fynbos heathland, one of the world’s richest botanical kingdoms.

From The Guardian • Aug. 16, 2018