22 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 275 



such as Calligonum. The large coastal dunes also support a meager 

 vegetative cover. 



In those portions of the coastal plain where salt concentration is 

 relatively high, halophytic species are dominant. Certain species 

 such as Crithmum maritimum L., Lotus argenteus Webb, Beta maritima 

 L., Dactylis glomerate, L., and Agropyron junceiforme (A. and D. 

 Love), indicate transitional areas in the gradient of salt concentra- 

 tion of the soil. Considerable areas of salt marshes exist in Tripoli- 

 tania near Zuara, Misurata, Tauorga, Agedabia, and in various 

 other localities along the coastal plain of northern Cyrenaica ad- 

 jacent to the Mediterranean Sea. These areas are characterized by 

 typical halophytic genera, which include Salicornia L., Suaeda Forsk. 

 Arthrocnemum Moq., Halocnemum Marsch.-Bieb., and Salsola L. 



The coastal plain near Tocra in Cyrenaica consists of a broad 

 bush-covered plain which differs markedly from the typical vege- 

 tative cover elsewhere on the coastal plain. In coastal Tripolitania, 

 large wadis dissect the coastal plain and frequently are bordered 

 by thorny, bushlike perennials, some of which occur on large 

 hummocks. 



Many areas of the coastal plain, particularly those of northwestern 

 Tripolitania, have been modified by man and support extensive 

 groves of olives and date palms and vineyards. Eucalyptus trees 

 and bull-thorn acacia have also been planted along many of the 

 roadsides. The vegetative cover of large portions of the Gefara plain 

 of northwestern Tripolitania is not typical of that of the coastal 

 plain and is covered instead with a shrub-steppe type of vegetation. 



Cyrenaican Plateau. The lush and varied flora of the Cyrenaican 

 Plateau is predominantly of Mediterranean affinities and consists 

 of a variety of arborescent species, grasses, and other herbaceous 

 plants. Most of the canyons and broad slopes of the plateau are 

 covered with dense chaparral consisting of several genera of treelike 

 forms. These genera include primarily Quercus L., Viburnum L., and 

 Juniperus L. Some of the larger wadis, such as the Wadi el Kuf, 

 support occasional stands of Pinus L. and Cupressus L. In the higher 

 portions of the plateau, especially along the northern portions, a 

 savanna type of vegetative cover is present, consisting of grassy 

 plains with occasional juniper or cypress trees. In those areas where 

 agriculture is widespread, the grass cover is interrupted by open 

 fields and cultivated areas. Numerous other genera of plants occur 

 on the plateau either as understory vegetation or as perennials as- 

 sociated with agricultural areas. Narrow strips of mesophytic vege- 

 tation border the few permanent streams which drain from the 

 plateau, and small pockets of mesophytic plants occur near springs 



