121 



Inmdreds of common species of flowering plants in the Veld. 

 Some of them are scattered as isolated individuals among the 

 wrasses, others form dense clumps. Several of them are known 

 io be the cause of diseases in stock, and many others are under 

 suspicion. The species vary considerably in different locali- 

 ties, and a very long or detailed account of them cannot be 

 attempted here. Only common and widespread examples will 

 be noted. 



Prevernal Aspects. The grasses up to the end of August 

 hardly commence growth, except in exceptional seasons, but 

 a number of other species are in flower, even in mid-winter. 

 Gazania longiscapa, Gerhera hraussii, and a few bulbous 

 plants, "e.r^., Scilla lanceaefoUa, are examples. The prevernal 

 aspect societies, however, are not conspicuous. 



Vernal Aspects. These appear even before the first rains. 

 ^Nearly all the species have underground storage of one kind 

 ■or another. Bulbous monocotyledons occur in great numbers, 

 but, among the numerous dicotyledonous orders represented, 

 very few species can be found without either large tuberous 

 xoots or rhizomes or other means of underground storage. 

 The drawing of Helichrysum latifolium (a common example), 

 which is here reproduced (see I*'ig. 24), illustrates both 

 rhizome and root storage. In some of the Asclepiadaceae, 

 e.g., liaphionacme dicuncuia, a very small aerial shoot may 

 be found attached to a relatively huge underground tuber. 

 In most cases, until the whole plant has been dug up, no 

 idea can be formed as to the appearance of the true growth 

 form. Nine-tenths or more of the total bulk of the plant may 

 be undergromd. This fact should be emphasised, for it is 

 not generally realised, and further it explains the fact, 

 already mentioned, that growth commences in those types 

 before the first rains. A sufiiciency of water in addition to 

 food is stored up in the tubers and bulbs to enable the plants 

 to start growth, as soon as the temperature is sufiiciently 

 high. Temperature, then, is the chief factor responsible for 

 starting growth in Spring. The importance of the tempera- 

 ture factor is also illustrated by the extraordinary and rapid 

 development of Spring flowering plants over bare areas, from 

 which the superficial layer of turf has been removed. The 

 buried tubers, etc., are thus brought nearer to the surface, 

 and are consequently more rapidly warmed by the sun's rays. 

 Growth commences at once, and in a week or two the whole 

 ground may be covered with flowers, though there has been 



