| Mamre Nature Garden | |
|---|---|
  Map ofWestern Cape | |
| Location | Western Cape,South Africa |
| Nearest city | Mamre |
| Coordinates | 33°31′42″S18°29′17″E / 33.5284°S 18.488°E /-33.5284; 18.488[1] |
| Area | 254 ha (630 acres) |
Mamre Nature Garden is a 254-hectare (630-acre)nature reserve inCape Town,South Africa, located on the city's northern outskirts. The reserve has a high degree ofbiodiversity and preserving the endangeredAtlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type and the plants and animals that live in it. In addition, the reserve has an important cultural history.[2]
The 254 ha (630 acres) area of Mamre Nature Garden protects a rare and valuable piece of the endangeredAtlantis Sand Fynbos vegetation type. Among the many plants to be found here areProtea repens,Gladiolus gracilis ("bloupypie"),Salvia lanceolata,Erica decora. A variety of animals can also be found at this reserve.[3]
This area used to be called "Geelvlei" (Yellow vlei) because of the masses of small yellow flowers that covered the area. Much of the wetland area and floral richness is now gone. A settlement was established here in 1701 by the Cape governor, and it was home to aMoravian mission at Louwskloof – now aProvincial Heritage Site[permanent dead link]. TheSeptember Spring Flower Festival used to be held here, due to this spot's impressive annual display of indigenous wildflowers. The festival now takes place nearby at Mamre.[4]
