76 



Leersia hexandra. A Ylei species with a creeping stoloni- 

 ferous rhizome, and stems ascending from a prostrate base, 

 rooting from the lower nodes. It is often completely dominant 

 in the early stages of the hydrosere. It is most common on 

 the eastern side, especially in Natal, but it occurs all over 

 South Africa except in the West. 



Leptocarydhim Vttlpiastriim, a rare hydrophilous Natal 

 species, found only on the banks of the Tugela and its tribu- 

 taries. 



Leplurus cylindricus. An introduced ruderal at the 

 Cape. 



Fig. 16. — Transverse Section of a portion of a leaf of Lasiochloa longifolia 



(x about 70). 



Lolium. L. perenne and L. italicum are cultivated rye 

 grasses. The others are introduced weeds common all over. 

 L. temulcntum, is the commonest. 



Lophaome digitala, a rare endemic Transvaal species. 



Molica (Temperate). This genus is chiefly characteristic 

 of the central ranges of mountains, but one species M. race- 

 viosa has a wider distribution from Capetown to Natal. It 

 is found among the Macchia shrubs of the South West, and 

 in open Scrub or rocky places or along roadsides in the 

 Eastern region. M. decumbens (Dronk gras) is common on the 

 Stormberg. The other species are rare. M. bolnsii occurs at 

 high altitudes on the Compass Berg and t lie Drakensberg, 

 having been collected on the summit of Doodman's Kranz 

 Mountain by Ga]pin, at 9.650 feet altitude. The species of 



