316 OUTLINE OF PLANT GEOGRAPHY 



others. The Liliaceae and Iridaceae, are perhaps not so numer- 

 ous as at the Cape, but they include some very showy species of 

 Kniphofia, Anemotheca, Tritonia and others. 



While most of the trees belong to tropical genera, there are a 

 few related to northern ones, such as species of sumac (Rhus), 

 Celtis, and Vernonia, a shrubby composite of the same genus as 

 the iron weed of the eastern United States. 



On the drier hills are xerophytic forms, related to those of the 

 arid parts of Africa. Especially conspicuous are the great can- 

 delabra Euphorbias (E. grandidens), recalling the giant Cacti of 

 Arizona and Mexico. Aloes, some of them almost trees, much 

 resemble in appearance the century-plants of the American south- 

 west. The flowers of some of the Aloes are extremely showy, great 

 spikes of flaming scarlet or orange bloom. Another showy flower 

 of this region is Haemanthus, which sends up from a bulb a short 

 stalk crowned by a dense head of scarlet flowers, with a fringe of 

 long stamens. Of the Liliaceae with less showy flowers, are many 

 species of Asparagus, one of which, A. plumosus, is common in 

 cultivation under the name " Asparagus fern." 



Among the most interesting botanical features of Natal are the 

 cycads. Two genera are found, Encephalartos, with several spe- 

 cies, and Stangeria paradoxa, the most fern-like of all the cycads, 

 and when first discovered, mistaken for a genuine fern. 



The sub-tropical type of vegetation in Natal reaches from the 

 coast to about 1,500 feet elevation, above which, is a temperate 

 belt extending to the foot of the Drakensberg, the mountains 

 separating Natal from the Orange State and Transvaal. 



The railway from the coast ascends through a fertile and 

 picturesque country, which in places is broken by bold ravines or 

 "kloofs," in which there is a fine growth of timber. Plantations of 

 Eucalyptus and Acacia are frequent, these Australian immigrants 

 appearing to be as much at home in Natal as they are in California. 

 Peach trees apparently have become naturalized in many places 

 in the higher parts of Natal, and in the spring (October) were in full 

 flower, presenting a beautiful sight. A stop at Ladysmith, gave 

 opportunity to examine the very typical formation of this region, 

 flat-topped " Kopjes" rising from the plateau. The slopes of these 

 rugged hills were clothed with a variety of more or less xerophytic 

 plants, among which the Aloes were conspicuous, being in full- 



