The Common Tree Fern is a widespread species of tree fern in southern Africa. It is native to Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar and South Africa from the Western Cape province to KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It grows on stream banks, in forest margins and in grasslands. Plants are most common at an altitude of 900–1,800 meters (3,000–5,900 ft). In the wild, it is known to be fire resistant.
The Pinnacle Rock is a massive quartzite rock that erupts from the earth’s surface and reaches some 30 meters in height. It is a freestanding rock that towers over the dense indigenous forest of Driekop Gorge in a dramatic display of nature’s quirks and the unique splendor of South Africa. It is littered with stunning, brightly-colored aloes that not only add to the appeal among the local birds and insect species, but also make for extra beautiful photographs of the rock and its surrounds.
Knysna Forest, in some places so dense it borders on impenetrable, is a marvelous mix of ancient trees, both local and exotic. Tree ferns, creepers, flowers and the elusive Knysna loerie, its call heard more often than it is seen, are also part of the forest. The thick canopy of ironwood, stinkwood, Outeniqua yellowwood, real yellowwood, Cape holly, white pear, wild fig, milkwood, Cape beech, bastard saffron, assegai and kamassi trees covers 568 square kilometers between the Krom River and Mossel Bay, sprawling across the southern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountains.
