The magic of the plant kingdom bursts into full technicolour life with the start of an all-new 8 x 24-minute South African series – Leon Kluge Plant Safaris – on PPLWX – People°sWeather (DStv-Ch 180) and Openview (DStv-Ch 115), from Monday, March 1 at 18:00.
With the passion of an investigative detective determined to gather all the clues and answers, Leon Kluge, an award-winning landscape artist, designer and plant-lover, takes us into the mysterious world of some uniquely South African plant species and the unbelievably clever tricks they have devised over the years, to survive.
In this first eight-part series, the world’s smallest but richest floral biome, “fynbos”, is exquisitely and meticulously explored by Kluge. Who would have thought that so much richness and colour lies in these seas of small-leafed plants of the Western Cape?
“Our safari team goes in search for the most interesting plants in these various fynbos landscapes,” explains Kluge.
“As experienced horticulturists and botanists, we are constantly surprised at what we discover. There is always something fascinating and new each time we foray into these ancient landscapes, and there is no doubt that we reveal some mind-boggling plants in every episode.”
“We also look into the various intriguing relationships these plants have with animals and humans, and the interesting folklore attached to certain species.”
Highlighting the unique gift that “fynbos’ has given the world, Kluge opens our eyes to the fynbos in and around the forests, wetlands, mountains, waterfalls, rocks, beaches, deserts, and also in cities in the Western Cape. Expect to learn so much more about the beautiful and highly unusual flowers and plants we often take for granted. Pretty and ugly, tiny and huge, colourful and dull, simply ordinary and just plain weird.
Meet a rare plant that farms insects and the plant that provides us with the key ingredient for the Cape’s famous waterblommetjie bredie. Meet plants that are pollinated by rodents at night, learn why the globally famous Pin-cushion Protea is a vital link in the Cape wildlife ecosystem and discover much, much more in this fascinating show.
Says Stephan Le Roux, CEO of PPLWX – People°sWeather: “We love Leon’s charm in this series; his unbridled enthusiasm and knowledge of plants draws us in leaving us eager to know more.”
“Sometimes in our pursuit for the big game and adrenaline-filled adventures, we miss what underpins our entire eco-system – the plants.”
For more information visit www.peoplesweather.com
