The Plant Communities of Table Mountain: Preliminary Account

Abstract

Soils and climate of this mt. (alt. about 3600 ft.) near Capetown, S. Africa, are discussed briefly. The vegetation can be divided into 3 types: a sclerophyll on the slopes, the climax of which is a xerophytic bush characterized by an abundance or even dominance of the larger Proteaceae; with varying dominants: Protea lepidocarpodendron on exposed slopes, P. incompta on sheltered ones, P. grandiflora on sandstone talus, Leucospermum conocarpum on sandy soils and boulders, and Leucodendron argenteum on deep soils, mostly at low levels. Many communities of smaller plants are described which are stages in the development of the climax. On the plateau with increased rainfall and humidity a heath-like type of vegetation is developed. The soil contains much humus. The climax is a scrub of ericoid habit but containing also larger plants with broader leaves, chiefly Leucodendron. The developmental stages of this are described. In kloofs and other very sheltered parts forests are present, which show decidedly hygrophytic characters in the presence of lianes, epiphytes and an abundance of ferns. Succession stages leading to forest are composed of shrubs with broad leaves much less xerophytic than the sclerophyll type. Much vegetation has been destroyed by fire. Many of the resulting communities and successions are described.