The Cape's flora is quite exceptional, because it comprises the world's Sixth Floral Kingdom, named Fynbos. This includes Proteas, Ericas, Reeds and Bulbous plants, which thrive in the nutrient poor soils. Under such conditions, an astounding diversity of 2,256 species has emerged - more than the whole of Great Britain (which supports 1,500 species), in an area 5,000 times smaller! The Cape contains 526 of the world's 760 erica species and 96 out of the world's 160 types of gladiolus, and Table Mountain alone supports 1,470 species.