THK VEGETATION OF NATAL. 317 



and has, till it begins to wither, a deep blue colour, thus 

 differing considerably from the form assumed by the same 

 species on the High Level Veld. 



Andropogon hirtus is another dominant species, but it 

 frequently grows tall and flowers. 



Other characteristic species are Andropogon pertusus, 

 A . s c h a3 n a n t h u s, A . a m p 1 e c t e n s, S p o r o b o 1 u s i n d i c u s, 

 Eragrostis spp., Chloris petra3a, Panicum spp. 



The grasses composing this type of veld are set fire to 

 in just the same way as those on the higher levels. We have 

 seen how these fires affect the thorn trees of the Thorn 

 Veld. 'I'hey also, together with the other factors which 

 operate in the case of the taller grasses on the high veld, 

 bring about changes and deterioration in this low veld. 

 Here it is usually Sporobolus in die us that forms the 

 secondary association. What has been said regarding 

 Aristida junciformis holds true for Sporobolus. It 

 lines the Kafir paths, etc., and in many places covers wide 

 areas of the veld. Aristida junciformis sometimes also 

 occurs in this type. Aristida angustata is often quite 

 abundant, especially where there is very little soil. 



Seeing that this type of veld occupies the main river 

 valleys we find, as is to be expected, that its character alters 

 when close to the river. There is a greater variety of grasses, 

 including those named in the description of the vleis, as well 

 as Cyperacea? and other aquatic vegetation. Pennisetum 

 unisetum is commonly dominant near the river side. 



Ploughing the veld also leads to changes. If the ground 

 is ploughed up and left, or left after crops, e.g. of mealies, 

 and allowed to revert to veld, first of all some of the asso- 

 ciated veld plants (annuals) take the field (e.g. Senecio 

 spp., Hebenstreitia spp.). At the same time annual 

 species of grasses, or at least grasses that flower the first year, 

 Paspalum, Digitaria, and Sporobolus occur. Next year 

 these grasses reniain, and along with them Tricholasna 

 rosea appears. About the third year the Senecios, etc., 

 die out, and the grasses become dominant. After several 



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