AN (ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MIDLANDS OF NATAL. 541 



has had a great efPect in changing the plant associations of 

 the veld and in destroying the bush. Since all the factors 

 interact, climate and soil are also affected. 



The plant formations in this area, as determined by these 

 factors, are the following. 



(1) The Veld Formation. 



The high veld has a tall variety of Anthistiria imberbis 

 dominant over the more level ground, Andropogon cere- 

 siffiformis sub-dominant where the soil is not so deep, and 

 Andropogon associations on the steeper slopes transitional 

 to bush, vlei and low veld. There are many associated grasses 

 and other flowering plants which are most abundant in the 

 Andropogon associations. Aristida junciformis, 

 Eragrostis curvula, Cynodon dactylon form 

 "secondary " associations as a result of man's interference. 



The low veld has a loosely tufted, seldom flowering variety 

 of Anthistiria dominant over the alluvial flats and gentler 

 slopes. With changing soil conditions Andropogon hirtus, 

 A. schoenanthus, A. pertusus become dominant. On 

 stony hillsides the grasses grow in semi-isolated tufts. 

 Sporobolus indicus and other species form secondary 

 associations in " changed veld." In cultivated land there is 

 a great variety of weeds. 



(2) The Bush Formation. 



The midland type of close bush occupies the south-eastern 

 slopes of the high veld region where there is large deposition 

 of moisture and shelter from hot winds. It has a definite 

 composition, varying slightly in different localities, and is 

 intermediate oecologically between sclerophyllous woodland 

 and tropical rain forest. It shows a slight tendency towards 

 becoming deciduous. 



In smaller patches and commonly in the higher stream 

 valleys there are scattered bushes, which are frequently the 



