204 HELENA FORBES 



i>rowth are Hydrocotyle asiatica, Richardsonia pilosa, 

 Trphrosia amocna and Tephrosia macropoda. 



The plants which grow at the Umbilo are practically 

 the same as those which grow at the Umhlatuzana. There 

 is not nearly so much uncultivated land at the Umbilo, 

 only a few yards at each side being untouched. Practical- 

 ly every hill-side on both sides of the river are farmed 

 by native or Indians and naturally there is a great dearth 

 f f indigenous flora. 



In parts along the banks the growth is very dense, 

 but every here and there are large boulders, and in other 

 places the Indians have cleared pathways. Wherever 

 it can get a secure foothold, Phragmites communis is 

 spreading. 



Ageratum conyzoides is about the commonest flowering- 

 plant, while in crevices of rocks and at the water's edge 

 Polygonum scDulatum and Polygonum lapathifolium 

 grow well. Specimens of Coix Lachryma-Johi have been 

 found, but it is not common. 



The banks of the river are inclined to be steep and here 

 and there little krantzes relieve the monotony of banana 

 and pineapple fields. The soil on the hillsides is not 

 really good, being too stony and hard. On the top of 

 the hill there is fine rich soil and the Natives reap splen 

 did crops of Maize, Beans, and other vegetables in good 

 seasons. 



Other plants which grow practically everywhere and 

 can really not be stated as belonging exclusively to any 

 one place are given in the following list: — 



Shrubs and Trees. 



Gardenia glohoMi, BurcheUia capensis, Phytolacca 

 abyssinica, Vangucria lasiantha Zizyphus mucronata, 

 Calpurnia lasiogyne, Heteropyxis natalensis, Fagara 

 capensis, Royena villosa, Grcwia lasiocarpa, Protorhus 

 long i folia, Cussonia paniculata (commonly called the 

 "Cabbage Tree" and not too common), Plectronia 



