News Life

Africa’s fynbos plants hold their ground with the world’s thinnest roots

The fynbos shrubland weaponizes its very thin roots in the race to suck up nutrients

fynbos shrubland next to lush forest on a hillside in South Africa

South Africa’s fynbos shrubland (background) abruptly transitions to lush forest (foreground), a standoff maintained by the fynbos’ ultrathin root system.

Lars Hedin

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

Some plant roots draw a line in the sand — literally.

In South Africa, you can move between cool, green forest and sunbaked shrubland in a single stride.