140 



It is chiefly in the vernal aspects that the temperate species 

 are most in evidence. As summer advances, those members 

 of the more tropical tribes (which are taller growing forms) 

 tend to a certain extent to make the Tussock Veld lose its dis- 

 tinctive character and to appear more like the normal type 

 of Eastern Grassveld. Unless it is visited at different times 

 of the year, a very false idea is obtained of its real nature and 

 composition. 



Other mountain species of the Drakensberg. 



At high altitudes, mixed with Scrub and Macchia or 

 growing' in isolated tufts among rocks and in ravines, there 

 are a number of species which do not form grasslands. Andro- 

 pogon appendiculatus often belongs to this class, but the most 

 interesting species are those which show connections with the 

 South Western region. There are several species of Danthonia. 

 D. stricta, D. disticha, T). macowani, and a species near D. 

 papposa, an unnamed species of PentascJristis (fide Galpin), 

 Melica bolusii, Lasiochloa lorigifolia, Avenastrum dntarticum, 

 Achne.ria setifolia, Achneria sp. nearest microphylla, AntJlox- 

 anthum dregeanum, A. brevifolium, Braehypodium bolusii, B. 

 flexuin, Agrostii, stibulifolia, A. barbuligera, A. bergiana, A. 

 erianiha. 



Mountain grasses generally (including those of the 

 Tussock Veld) are xerophytic, but at the same time very good 

 grazing grasses, especially the members of the Chlorideae 

 and the temperate tribes. They are, however,, slower growing 

 than the grasses of lower altitudes. They stand frost well 

 and are early flowering. 



