lU 



larity between the initial stages of Eastern grassland, and the 

 climax stages in the Western and Karroo regions, and in the 

 transitional belt. The genera, which we have seen are charac- 

 teristic of those regions, fire also the genera most prominent 

 in the establishment of Eastern Grassland and many of the 

 species are identical. Aristida, Eragrastis and Sporoholits 

 are all important, and it is difficult to decide which of the 

 first two should take precedence. 



Aristida junciformis is the chief pioneer over considerable 

 portions of the midlands of Natal, mostly in High Yeld. The 

 very similar A. aiigustata is. more prominent in similar situa- 

 tions in the northern portion of Natal and the Transvaal. 

 A. harhicollin is widespread, and occurs in both High Veld 

 and Low Veld. The nearly allied A. congesta (Steek gras) is 

 dominant over immense stretches of primitive Veld iu the 

 Free State, and is common also in Natal and the Transvaal. 

 -4. hipartita in Natal prefers the Low Veld, but it is by no 

 means rare in the High Veld and Mountain Veld. A. adscen- 

 sionis and A. vestita are more Western types, and are rare in 

 Eastern Grassveld. The Zulu name umGongoni seems to be 

 applied to different kinds of Aristida, but particularly to 

 A. hflrhicollis and A. junciformis. For further details see 

 under Aristida in Part III. Most of the Aristidas, with the 

 exception of A. hipartita, flower late. 



Eragrostis chloromelas forms vernal aspect socles iu 

 the primitive veld over the whole region. E. curvula 

 (umrrepurrepu) is another early flowering species, very impor- 

 tant in the initial .stages of veld development. The variety 

 ronferta covers wide stretches in the High Veld. It is very 

 common in spring along the railway enclosures, forming large 

 waving tufts. E. chalcantha is the chief pioneer iu much of 

 the Transvaal High Veld, and in both High and Low Veld 

 in Natal. It flowers early. E. hrizoides is also sometimes a 

 pioneer, but it tends to linger through the climax stages. 



E. micrantha and E. atherstonei are smaller species, 

 common in bare rocky areas, but they do not assume domin- 

 ance at any stage. E. plana (umTshiki) forms autumnal 

 aspect socies or is completely dominant over wide stretches 

 of primitive veld, usually High Veld or "mixed" Veld. 

 E. plana and Sporobolus indicus form very definite and very 

 extensive a.ssocies. E. heteromera, a species very slightly 

 different from E. plana, appears to be fairly widespread also. 



