410 J. W. BEWS. 



the marginal zone of the scrub in being more xerophytic and 

 more intolerant of shade^ and although they do occur around 

 the scrub they are not more abundant in that situation thati 

 on open grassy liillsides. They are separated from the vernal 

 aspect species by their general growth-form and behaviour, 

 as already described, and also by the fact that they are not 

 more conspicuous in spring, but grow slowly with the grass 

 and flower any time through the summer or autumn. 



The Bracken Fern (Pteris aquilina) forms very 

 ■conspicuous and often large pure consocies. Its dense shade 

 kills out everything else. Slight depressions and incipient 

 dongas often become filled with it. Occasionally, but by no 

 means always, it is marginal to scrub. 



Leonotis 1 eon urns (53) [uMunyani) is one of the best- 

 known veld shrubs in Natal, being used medicinally by the 

 natives and cultivated in gardens. It forms conspicuous 

 • clumps in the grassveld 4-6 ft. high, and occurs also along 

 the margin of the scrub. 



Vangueria latifolia {2\o), Lippia asp eri folia, 

 Khus discolor, Athanasia acerosa, Artemesia afra, 

 Wedelia natalensis (250), Callilepis laureola (62), 

 Poly gala oppositif olia (398) all form conspicuous autumnal 

 aspect socies. 



The following Leguminosas are more conspicuous in 

 autumn than in spring: Tephrosia macro poda, Croto- 

 laria capensis (92), C. natalitia, Indigofera arrecta 

 (287), I. micrantha (82), Desmodium hirtum (212), 

 Pseudarthria hookeri (219), Calpurnia intrusa, as are 

 also the following Compositas: Nidorella auriculata, 

 Cassinia phylicifolia (355), Helichrysum cooperi, 

 Schistostephium crataegif olium, S. rotundifolium 

 S. spp. (Tanacetum griseum and T. heptalobum). 



It is not always easy to separate the vernal and autumnal 

 aspect species, unless by careful study throughout the year. 

 A very good test seems to be to answer the question, " Does 

 the species tend to spread if the grass is left unburnt ? " If 

 it does, then it Avill be an autumnal aspect species. Or, if 



