90 



The grasses nowhere play more than a very minor part 

 in the plant succession. Most of the species grow in isolated 

 tufts among the sclerophyllous shrubs, or they form small 

 clans, or at most societies in the climax Macchia. Some of 

 them are shade loving, many are hygrophilous, but the 

 majority are of a very xerophytic type, with deep roots and 

 hard leaves, or the leaves may be reduced, or without leaf 

 blades, e.g., in Ehrharta aphylla, E. ramosa, etc. A semi- 

 suffrutescent habit is fairly common. 



For fuller details regarding the general plant succession 

 Marloth's work "Das Kapland," or a former paper by the 

 writer, should be consulted. Eeference to the subject here 

 can only be made in so far as it is necessary to make clear the 

 role of the grasses. 



A. The Xerosere. 



1. The Lichen species which cover bare rock surfaces 

 belong mostly to the genera Physcia, Pertusaria, Parmelia, 

 Xan tlioria , U m bilica via, Tren tepohlia . 



2. These are followed by various mosses, the more xero- 

 phytic species of Dioranum, Campylopus, G rimrnia, Andreaea, 

 Brachyinenium acting as pioneers. These hold water and 

 other species come in, the conditions gradually becoming 

 moister, and on flat rock surfaces such as the summit of Table 

 Mountain extensive mats are formed, consisting of one or 

 more of the species Rhacomitrium incanum, Dicranu ut 

 tabulate, Campylopus atroluteus, Chanondanthus JiirtcU>i$> 

 J amesoniella colorata. 



3. The stages which follow the mosses vary greatly in 

 different places. Various flowering plants grow up through 

 the moist moss mat. Delicate little Utricularias (U. capen.se) 

 are common, looking not unlike moss capsules. There are 

 several kinds of Composite, e.g., Sphenogyne nudicaulis, Cenia 

 turbinata. In some places Rochea coccivea or R. odoratissima 

 make a fine display. Numerous small bulbous plants, and 

 species of Oxalis (0. variabilis) are common. The full list 

 would be a very extensive one, and the relationship of the 

 species to the moss mat and other environmental factors pro- 

 vides an interesting study. 



Among the grasses which appear at this stage, the most 

 important and characteristic species is Achneria capensis. 

 It is very common, growing in little tufts intermingling with 



