A Kingdom in the Clouds
Table Mountain is the center of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the world's six plant kingdoms. Despite its size, it is one of the most diverse, with over 9,000 plant species, 69 percent of which are endemic. The mountain itself contains an estimated 2,285 distinct plant species, a total that exceeds all of Great Britain.
The dominant vegetation is fynbos, a type of fire-adapted shrubland that grows on nutrient-poor, sandy soils. The word "fynbos" comes from an old Dutch term for "fine bush," referring to the heath-like appearance of many plants. This ecosystem is primarily composed of four main groups: proteas (broad-leaved shrubs), ericas (heaths), restios (reeds), and geophytes (bulbs). Many fynbos species are specialists. The Silver Tree (Leucadendron argenteum), for instance, grows almost exclusively on the granite and shale slopes of the mountain. This striking tree, which can grow up to 10 meters tall, has leaves covered in fine, silky hairs that give it a metallic sheen.
Animals of the Mountain
While the flora is extensive, the mountain also has unique fauna adapted to this specific environment. The most well-known endemic creature is the Table Mountain ghost frog (Heleophryne rosei), a critically endangered amphibian. This species lives only in the perennial, fast-flowing streams on the mountain's slopes, occupying a total habitat of less than 10 square kilometers. Its tadpoles possess large, sucker-like mouthparts that allow them to cling to rocks in the strong currents while feeding on algae. The adult frogs have a flat body to squeeze into narrow rock crevices and large, sticky pads on their toes for gripping slippery surfaces.
Other animals include the rock hyrax, or dassie, often seen near the upper cable car station. It looks like a guinea pig, but its closest living relative is the elephant. The mountain is also an important habitat for birds, including the Cape sugarbird and the orange-breasted sunbird, which feed on the nectar of proteas. The Table Mountain butterfly pollinates 15 species of red-flowered plants.