AN (ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MIDLANDS OF NATAL. 5] 5 



be obtained by some other method than by collecting by hand, 

 the growing of this plant might be made an important industry. 

 A few of the introduced weeds have spread through the veld 

 and along the roadsides. 



In veld that has been ploughed and left, the various weeds 

 mentioned come in during the first year. Perhaps the 

 commonest one of them all is Bidens pilosa. It very often 

 covers the entire surface of the ground. Next year the 

 grass Trichol^na rosea appears, and the annual species 

 begin to give way to the perennial. About the third or 

 fourth year the grasses are dominant. Paspalum scrobi- 

 culatum sometimes comes in, and also Sporobolus 

 in die us and species of Digitaria. Then the Andropogon 

 species appear and gradually gain the upper hand. After a 

 time Anthistiria imberbis may come in again; but as 

 long as the soil remains well aerated Andropogon species, 

 and especially A. pertusus, usually remain dominant. 



Summary fok the Veld Fokmation. 



( 1 ) In the high veld Anthistiria imberbis forms practi- 

 cally a pure association over the more level ground. Soil 

 loose and well aerated. 



(2) Andropogon ceresiajf ormis is sub-dominant over 

 certain areas where the soil is not so deep. 



(3) On the slopes with more varying soil conditions other 

 grasses and associated plants become more abundant until 

 Andropogon species become dominant. This type is 

 transitional to low veld, bush, and vlei. 



(4) In the low veld a distinct variety of Anthistiria 

 imberbis is dominant over the alluvial flats and gentler 

 slopes. Soil hard, dry, and baked, badly aerated. 



(5) On very shallow soil or under varying soil conditions 

 Andropogon associations occur (Andropogon hirtus, A, 

 sell oen an thus, A. pertusus). 



(6) On stony hillsides the grasses grow in semi-isolated 

 tufts (transitional to rocky hillside formation). 



