Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

22 ALOES AND LILIES OF ETHIOPIA
5. Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and
grassland complex (DAF)
This vegetation type represents a complex system of
successions involving extensive grasslands rich in
legumes on heavy black clay soils that are periodically
inundated. Ethiopian agriculture probably developed
thousands of years ago inside areas covered by this
vegetation complex, which has been intensely utilised
by man ever since. The intensive utilization has resulted
in forests that have diminished in area and has largely
been replaced by bushlands.This vegetation type occurs
in areas between the 1800 and 3000 m and is marked in
green colour (Fig. 5).
Four distinct subtypes, have been recognized (Friis,
1992; Friis & Sebsebe Demissew, 2001). However, it has
not been possible to define these based on parameters as
altitude or rainfall or to draw boundaries between them.
Subtype 5a. Undifferentiated Afromontane forest
(DAF/U)
The undifferentiated Afromontane forests are either
Juniperus-Podocarpus forests, or tend towards single
dominant Podocarpus or Juniperus forests, both with an
element of broad­leaved species. They occur especially
on the plateaux in the floristic regions of Shewa Wellega,
Welo, Sidamo, Bale and Harerge floristic regions at
altitudes between 1500 and 2700 m, with annual rainfall
between 700 and 1100 mm. The few larger patches that
are currently observed appear widely separated by areas
of cultivation and wooded grassland. The canopy is
usually dominated by the two indigenous gymnosperms
(Juniperus procera and Podocarpus falcatus). In addition,
Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Croton macrostachyus,
and Ficus spp. occur frequently. Other medium sized
trees include Allophylus abyssinicus, Apodytes dimidiata,
Celtis africana, Olinia rochetiana, Prunus africana,
Teclea nobilis and Vepris dainellii.
Some of the Aloe and lilies that occur in this
subvegetation type include A. debrana (Aloaceae).
Other lilies that occur include Anthericum angustifolium
(Anthericaceae), Crinum abyssinicum, Scadoxus multiflorus
(Amaryllidaceae), and Dracaena steudneri (Dracaenaceae).