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FLORA
(Please click on the thumbnails left.)
(Please click on the thumbnails left.)
DeMorgenzon’s flora is primarily made up of Renosterveld which is characterized by the dominance of members of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae), specifically one species - Renosterbos (Elytropappus rhinocerotis) from which the vegetation type gets its name.
Although Renosterbos is the characteristic dominant, many other plants are also prominent - for instance in the Daisy Family (Asteraceae): Eriocephalus, Felicia, Helichrysum, Pteronia, Relhania; Pea Family (Fabaceae): Aspalathus; Gardenia Family (Rubiaceae): Anthospermum; Cocoa Family (Sterculiaceae): Hermannia; Thyme Family (Thymelaeaceae): Passerina. All these shrubs are characterized by their small, tough, grey leaves.
Grasses are also abundant. In fact, it is alleged that the high shrub cover is a result of continuous grazing. Early records suggest that the Renosterveld had abundant grasses, and that both game and Khoi cattle migrated over the region. With the establishment of European stock farmers, continuous grazing and the elimination of the diverse grazing-browsing fauna, the shrubby element was promoted. This theory is not universally accepted, but proponents argue to the sudden decline of hay near Cape Town in the early 1700's. Further, many historical records of early explorers claimed that Renosterbos was ‘taking over’ and that grass was becoming scarce.
Another feature of Renosterveld is the high species richness of geophytic plants chiefly in the Iris family (Iridaceae) and Lily Family (Liliaceae), but also in the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae). Proteas and Erica, typical of Fynbos, tend to be absent in Renosterveld, or are present at very low abundances. There are few endemics to Renosterveld vegetation alone, many of the species occurring in Fynbos as well. However, species endemic to the Cape Floral Kingdom comprise about one-third of Renosterveld plant species.
Grasses are also abundant. In fact, it is alleged that the high shrub cover is a result of continuous grazing. Early records suggest that the Renosterveld had abundant grasses, and that both game and Khoi cattle migrated over the region. With the establishment of European stock farmers, continuous grazing and the elimination of the diverse grazing-browsing fauna, the shrubby element was promoted. This theory is not universally accepted, but proponents argue to the sudden decline of hay near Cape Town in the early 1700's. Further, many historical records of early explorers claimed that Renosterbos was ‘taking over’ and that grass was becoming scarce.
Another feature of Renosterveld is the high species richness of geophytic plants chiefly in the Iris family (Iridaceae) and Lily Family (Liliaceae), but also in the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae). Proteas and Erica, typical of Fynbos, tend to be absent in Renosterveld, or are present at very low abundances. There are few endemics to Renosterveld vegetation alone, many of the species occurring in Fynbos as well. However, species endemic to the Cape Floral Kingdom comprise about one-third of Renosterveld plant species.