4 
ON THE FLORA OF KENTANI 
Aspect 
For the greater part of the year the prevailing aspect of the vegetation 
is a yellowish green, due partly to the predominance of yellow flowered plants 
and also because the spring grasses soon lose their vivid green hue. 
In order to give some idea of the varying aspect I have attempted to 
indicate the characteristic features of each month : those selected are fairly 
constant, some astonishingly so, although it must be borne in mind that 
plants which are quite common one season may be hardly seen the next. 
Amount and time of rain, grass fires and their relation to rain, make 
a tremendous difference to all vegetation. 
January 
The softly rounded grass covered hills of Kentani have been described as 
looking like a vast spread of crumpled green velvet. 
This universal green, combined now with yellow, is perhaps the most 
striking feature of this month, for now Acacia Karroo is in full bloom breaking 
the monotonous green with its dome of gold. 
In the woods Encephalartos starts coning. 
After the winter fires the veld grasses are kept short by stock, and seldom 
get a chance to seed. Among the most common are various species of 
Andropogon, Eragrostis, especially E. plana, Anthistiria imberbis, Tristachya 
leucothrix, and Sporobolus fimbriatus. 
Aristida vestita occurs in patches ; Cynodon Dactylon frequents mealie- 
lands and wherever there is human habitation. 
Andropogon Nardus and Erianthus capensis are usually associated, and 
collectively are popularly called “ Dobba. - ’ They take possession of valleys, 
border forests, etc. and as they are about 5 ft., growing in closely matted tufts 
with sharp cutting blades, they present a formidable obstacle to would-be 
explorers. Masses of Gyperus immensus grow along the small streams and 
Phragmites communis is found in marshy places. 
At the coast Dactyloctenium aegyptiacum and Stenotaphrum glabrum make 
a thick carpet at the edge of the beach. 
Purple Ipomoea biloba lies prostrate on sea sand, yellow Hibiscus diversi- 
folius in marshy places among the scrub, among which Gloriosa virescens 
climbs, glorifying it with its glossy foliage and brilliant flowers. 
February 
A sullen sky, damp heat, and thunderstorms make February a peculiarly 
trying month, and drying herbarium specimens a most difficult task, but it is 
the time of our most brilliant flowers. 
In the woods Hibiscus Ludwigii attains a height of about 7 ft., its yellow 
Howci having a diameter of 5^ ins. Gardenia Thmmergii is a small beautiful 
