Nivenia stokoei, also known as Stokoe’s bush iris, was named for Thomas Stokoe, mountaineer and plant collector. He discovered and first collected this plant in 1924 in the Kogelberg. The genus Stokoei, the woody irises, comprises 10 species, all growing in the fynbos.

Only ten populations of N. stokoei are known to exist, but they are stable, growing within the secure area of a cared for Reserve. Not all rare plants are that fortunate.

Conservation also occurs when plants are cultivated and maintained in botanical gardens, nurseries and private gardens. First prize is always, however, the survival of a species on a sustained basis in its natural habitat. This must be the objective of endeavours by concerned citizens that understand and value biodiversity (information from a Kirstenbosch signboard).