Geranuims in the South Africa room. Photo: AnnSofie Börjesson

Most of the Cape Floristic Region is covered by a shrubland known as fynbos. It is similar to the flora of the Mediterranean, with shrubs that have small and hard leaves adapted to withstand the warm and dry summer. Plants such as proteas, restios, geraniums and members of the heath family are common here.

A semi-desert region named Karoo extends to the northeast of the Cape. This extremely dry area has a flora with many species capable of storing water in the leaves or stems, known as succulent plants. Among the succulents found in the South African room are spurges, aloes and living stones (Lithops).

Lithops Photo: Rakel Norberg