358 INTRODUCTION TO PLANT GEOGRAPHY [CHAP. 



4. Very similar conditions and vegetation-types exist near the 

 coast of central Chile, where maquis-hke scrub is widespread and 

 gives way, inland, to slopes of sclerophyllous woodlands often 

 dominated by trees strongly resembling evergreen Oaks. Their 

 systematic allegiance is, however, usually quite distinct, as is that 

 of the associated shrubs. In these woodlands, climbing plants as 

 well as tuberous and bulbous ones may be common. 



5. The sclerophyllous woodlands and scrublands of southwestern, 

 central-southern, and southeastern Australia are again in many 

 cases reminiscent of those of the northern hemisphere, though their 

 systematic allegiance is for the most part entirely different, usually 

 involving other genera or even families. The most luxuriant expres- 

 sion of the woodlands is found in the majestic forests of Gum-trees 

 {Eucalyptus spp.), with an abundant undergrowth of hard-leafed 

 shrubs often having beautiful flowers, and including Acacias, 

 Mimosas, and Heath-like Epacridaceae. In many places Grasses 

 cover the ground, the trees being scattered or letting through 

 plentiful light owing to their leaves (or leaf-like members in the 

 case of the Acacias) having a tendency to being orientated parallel 

 to the rays of the sun. With less rainfall or more disturbance, 

 the vegetation may be reduced to maquis-like ' mallee ' or other 

 monotonous, tangled scrub most often 1-3 metres high. In areas 

 of intermediate water conditions this may be interspersed with 

 stunted Eucalypts, Casuarinas, and various other trees. Fig. 105 

 shows such a sclerophyllous forest dominated by tall Gum-trees in 

 a region having 75-100 cm. of rainfall annually. 



Heathlands and Grasslands 



Areas dominated by characteristic members of the Heath family 

 (Ericaceae), or by narrow-leafed Heath-like shrubs, are common in 

 temperate and adjacent lands, as well as in arctic and alpine regions 

 beyond the limits of arborescent growth. Typically the com- 

 munities are dense and of the order of 25 cm. in height. In warm 

 lands they may merge into the scrubby types of sclerophyllous 

 vegetation, which often include large Heaths, etc. But their most 

 notable development is in cooler regions with a moist winter — 

 particularly in western and north-central Europe, where the Common 

 Heather or Ling {Calluna vulgaris) is often the chief constituent of 

 the vegetation over considerable areas, particularly on acidic soils. 

 Associated may be various Heaths {Erica spp.). Bilberries etc. 



