-'34 



A NOTE ON THE FLORA OF WINTERHOEK RANGE. 



Comparison of Biological Spectra, Natal and Winterhoek. 



Percentage of Species belonging to Life Forms. 



If we take the biological spectrum of Natal as given by 

 Bews as being typical of one of the larger general areas, with 

 conditions varying from sub-tropical and mesophytic on the coast 

 to alpine temperate on the Drakensbergen, the comparison table 

 given above brings out certain interesting points. The taller trees 

 belonging to the class M.M. (Mega and Mesophanerophytes) are 

 totally unrepresented on the \\"interhoek. Of small trees on the 

 Winterhoek the percentage is only 1.2, as against 14 in Natal. 

 Chamsephytes and Hemicryptophytes show a large increase. 

 Geophytes (bulbous plants), on the other hand, are not quite so 

 numerous as in Natal, and certainly not nearly so numerous as 

 in the grass-veld ])ortion of Natal. They may be looked upon as a 

 type peculiarly adapted to steppe conditions, though they are 

 fairly well represented in the moimtainous areas also. The pro- 

 portion of marsh plants is slightly less, that of annuals ( Thero- 

 phytes) slightly greater tlian in Natal. The annuals would, of 

 course, be more abundant were the area under cultivation. The 

 increase in the number of Hemicryptophytes, which is nearly 

 double that of Natal, is to be explained by the lower winter 

 temperature on the Winterhoek. It shows a nearer approach to 

 temperate conditions as opposed to sub-tropical. It is 8 per cent, 

 greater than Raunkiaer's normal for the whole world's flora, but 

 is not quite so great as for most true temperate regions in the 

 Northern Hemisphere.* 



As I pointed out previously, any facts given in this paper 

 have been published in the hope that when other workers \.wx\\ 

 their attention to investigations on similar lines, some use may 

 be made of them. I hope to be able still to continue this work, 

 and later on to make some general statements regarding the high 

 mountain flora, based on a detailed study of each individual 

 species. 



In conclusion, I am greatly indebted to Dr. J. \\^ . Bews for 

 his kindly interest and f riendl}^ criticism. 



* See examples of biological spectra, Bews. loc. cif. 



