Flora of the Leribe Plateau and Environ*. 7 



of the broad shallow opening to the ravine proper are the habitats of 

 the only Protea found at Leribe, viz. P. ca/ra. In habit it closely 

 resembles P. gnoidi flora of the Western Province, and at a distance 

 might easily be mistaken for that species. The area which the plants 

 occupy is very limited, as no specimens are found in the deeper parts 

 of the ravine. Numerous shade-loving plants, almost all herbaceous, 

 are found growing in the ravines. Some are found on the damp 

 grassy slopes in the shadow of the cliffs or under trees, others grow 

 deeper down in the ravine under rocks. Among many such plants 

 gathered were Alepidea amatymbica, Hypoxis Gerrardi, Mysotis afro- 

 palustris, Geranium canescens, Galiunt rotundifolium, Scabiosa Colum- 

 baria, and numerous ferns. The streams from the ravines, as they 

 enter the level plain, form small marshes. Such situations are chiefly 

 occupied by Mariscus conyestus and Polyi/onuin serrulatum, while 

 bushes of Cluytia natalensis are common round the wet margins. 



The summit of the plateau presents the appearance of a large flat 

 covered with short grass. Nowhere is there the same luxuriance of 

 grass-growth as in the valley and on the slopes, and bush of any 

 description is quite absent. The low grass-formation is due chiefly, 

 I consider, to the amount of grazing by cattle, sheep, and goats, and 

 also to the fact that the tall grasses found at the lower levels are 

 absent on the summit, their place being taken by Aristidaadscensionis, 

 Elionuriis aryenteus, Digitariamonodactijln, and Andropogon contort us. 

 It is very possible that the more succulent grasses have been destroyed 

 on the plateau by overstocking, leaving the coarse Brasses in possession. 

 I might mention that very few, if any, cattle are allowed to graze on 

 the lower slopes in summer, owing to the difficulty of keeping them 

 from damaging the crops. Among the plants gathered on the plateau 

 were Lobelia (Hetzleria dregeana), Rhyncliosia Totta, Venidmm 

 arctotoides, Alcheniilla Woodii, Dicoma anotualt, Crassula basutica, 

 etc. The damp banks of streams and pools were the habitats of 

 hydrophilous plants such as Poli/gonum spj>., Rumex spp., Salvia repens, 

 Ht'Uehrytiini simillimum, Xyris capensis, Utricularia spp., Linwsella 

 major, Ranunculus Meyeri, and numerous Cyperaceae. 



Qoqolosi Peak carries a different^formation from that of the suri'ound- 

 iug plain. As the peak is ascended the grasses disappear and their 

 place is taken by succulent plants, plants of a dwarf habit, and small 

 shrubs. The succulent plants were mostly species of Crassula; 

 Lotononl* Woodii, Melolobium adenocles, Heliophila basutica (PI. V, 

 fig. 1) were typical of the dwarf plants ; Antlwspermum pumilum, 

 Sutera aspalanthoides , 8. pristisepala, Melolobium microphyllum were 

 representative of the stunted bush. 



