88 
PLANTS IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA 
a fine umbrageous tree is a parasitic fig which grows on the 
Muhugu and other trees, gradually enveloping them ; this 
fig is closely allied to Ficus capensis ; it is a conspicuous 
feature in the landscape between Limoru and Nairobi. The 
following trees and plants may be seen along the line between 
Kikuyu and Nairobi : Abutilon bidentatum, Solanum campy - 
lacanthum ; Leonotis elliottii ; Emilia sagittata ; Vernonia sp.; 
Cassia didimobotrya — very conspicuous along the Nairobi 
River ; Achroclyne Hochstetteri ; Pentas lanceolata ; bracken 
fern ; Dracaena rejlexa ; Heliotropium strigorum; Thunbergia 
alata ; Gerber a abyssinica ; Schrebera alata ; Lantana salvifolia ; 
Lippia sp. ; Ocimum spp. ; Coleus sp. ; Buddleia salvifolia ; 
Bhamphicarpa heuglinii ; Helianthus sp. ; Jasminum abyssini- 
cum ; Grewia columnaris ; Pentanisia ouranogyne ; Eugenia 
cor data ; Triumfetta ruwenzoriensis ; Albizzia fastigiata ; 
Impatiens sp. ; Dombeya nairobensis ; Maba abyssinica ; 
Nesaea sp. ; Acidanthera Candida ; Clerodendron myricoides ; 
Dolichandrone Hildebrandtii. 
Nairobi forms a well-defined boundary between two distinct 
zones of vegetation which may be described as tropical and 
extra-tropical. On the western side there are the hills with 
a rich variety of luxuriant vegetation, on the eastern the dry, 
treeless plains, which are green only for two short seasons in 
each year. 
Immediately on leaving Nairobi the line passes on to the 
plains, on which — except in the rainy season — there is scarcely 
a speck of colour to relieve the general monotony of dry grass. 
Our old friend Solanum campylacanthum flourishes along the 
side of the track, and also Thunbergia alata. In June and July 
the little Pentanisia ouranogyme makes pleasing patches of 
bright blue ; in the rains can be seen here and there the 
beautiful white flowers of Acidanthera Candida. 
From Nairobi the line descends to Athi River Station 
(4948 feet). At the bridge over the river may be seen the 
flat-topped acacias growing close to the water, and the course 
of the river is indicated for a long distance by these trees. 
After crossing the stony Athi the line passes the famous reed 
beds (famous from a sportsman’s point of view) in which 
papyrus and bulrushes flourish. Between Athi River Station 
