South Africa is not only blessed with a rich botanical heritage that is and should remain part of the pride of the nation.  Our country has many citizens who are knowledgeable and passionate about understanding, enjoying and protecting the uniquely South African plant world.

These people do many different things about knowing and growing plants, teaching newcomers (and each other) and sustaining our natural environment.  The members of Operation Wildflower form part of this fraternity, but they have a very specific mission and role:

Operation Wildflower (OWF) is an association of plant lovers who save plants to be destroyed when development transforms a piece of natural vegetation into a township, road, dam, mine, etc.  They collect and replant them on their own properties, rather than seeing them bulldozed and lost.   They liaise widely to become aware of situations where plants must be removed and work in collaboration with the environmental protection authorities to perform their transplanting operations in an orderly fashion.

All Plant Lovers are welcome to:

~ Share their learning about indigenous plants on our Botanical Chat Forum or ask questions that other participants may be able to answer;
~ Use our Plant Records for their information or send us information for inclusion or improvement;
~ Communicate with OWF regarding opportunities to save plants at sites earmarked for development;
~ Join OWF and receive invitations to our forthcoming collections.