Overview:
The Savanna is home to many different species of native plants, some of which are listed below.
Senegal Gum:
The Senegal gum acacia is a small to medium sized thorn tree that is located in the African Grassland Savanna. Another common name for the Senegal gum is the Gum Arabic. The Senegal can grow up to 20 metres tall. The leaves on a Senegal Gum are a grey-green colour. The flowers are either yellow or cream and grow on spikes just above the thorns. These flowers become seed pods, the seed pods are brown in colour and they are flat.
The Senegal Gum tree can go through long periods of drought. They usually grow in sandy places where there is a small amount of rain a year. Periods where there is no rain can last from five to eleven months.
The Senegal Gum gives shade and shelter for the animals of the Savanna. It also provides food for animals such as Antelopes, Giraffes and Elephants which eats its leaves. Birds also make their nests in its branches.
The Senegal Gum tree can go through long periods of drought. They usually grow in sandy places where there is a small amount of rain a year. Periods where there is no rain can last from five to eleven months.
The Senegal Gum gives shade and shelter for the animals of the Savanna. It also provides food for animals such as Antelopes, Giraffes and Elephants which eats its leaves. Birds also make their nests in its branches.
Bermuda Grass:
Bermuda grass originally came from the Savanna’s of Africa. Some common names for this plant are Bahama grass, Wire grass, Devils grass and Couch grass. Bermuda grass grows in open spaces that have lots of interruptions such as flooding and fire. Although most of this species live in Africa, Bermuda grass can be found in warm climates all over the world.
It is called Bermuda grass in America because it was found from the Bermuda Island. The roots of Bermuda grass can grow from 120-150cm deep. The blades are a green colour and are short, usually around 5cm long and it has rough edges. The stems can grow between 0.1-0.4cm tall. These stems are usually flattened and purple in colour.
Bermuda grass reproduces though seeds. Bermuda grass will give out seeds about 3 months after planting it, these seeds germinate at temperate above 20°C and begin to grow within 2 weeks. Bermuda grass prefers wet and warm climates, and where there is a decent amount of rainfall a year. Bermuda grass is usually the first plant to grow back after grass fires which happen very often in the African Savanna.
It is called Bermuda grass in America because it was found from the Bermuda Island. The roots of Bermuda grass can grow from 120-150cm deep. The blades are a green colour and are short, usually around 5cm long and it has rough edges. The stems can grow between 0.1-0.4cm tall. These stems are usually flattened and purple in colour.
Bermuda grass reproduces though seeds. Bermuda grass will give out seeds about 3 months after planting it, these seeds germinate at temperate above 20°C and begin to grow within 2 weeks. Bermuda grass prefers wet and warm climates, and where there is a decent amount of rainfall a year. Bermuda grass is usually the first plant to grow back after grass fires which happen very often in the African Savanna.
Candelabra Tree:
Candelabra Trees can be found near the equator and in Africa. The Candelabra tree grows up to 10m tall. The branches all grow from one trunk. In winter the Candelabra tree grows yellow flowers. The Candelabra tree is poisonous. If a small bit of its white sap from the inner tree touches you then your skin will start to get blisters. It will also blind you if it touches your eyes. The poison inside and the sharp spines keep it safe from other animals.
Gum Tree:
The Eucalyptus gum tree can be found in the Australian Savanna’s. Its young leaves are round and green. They eventually become more oval shaped with pointed edges. The flowers of the gum tree are white and grow in clusters. The bark is reddish brown, it must grow in a sunny, dry environment to survive because it cannot tolerate cold weather. The Eucalyptus trees leaves are the primary source of food to the koala. Bees use their flowers to make honey.
Doctors around the world use Eucalyptus in medicines to treat many sicknesses like infections, colds bronchitis and sore throats. Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia but can also be found in America.
Doctors around the world use Eucalyptus in medicines to treat many sicknesses like infections, colds bronchitis and sore throats. Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia but can also be found in America.
River Bush Willow:
The River Bush Willow is a member of the Combretaceae family. This famliy includes over 500 different species. Other common names for the River Bush Willow are Vaderlandswilg and the Hiccup Nut. The River Bush Willow got the name Hiccup Nut because if any of the seeds are eaten it will cause violent hiccups.
The River Bush Willow can be found in Madagscar, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and many more locations.
The young leaves are pale green which later become dark green. In Autmn the colour of the leaves is yellow and this then changes to red in winter. The flowers of the River Bush Willow are pale yellow which grow on the tips of the branches. The fruit is poisonous giving someone severe hiccups if eaten. The roots of the River Bush Willow are long so it can get more water from deeper into the ground.
The River Bush Willow can be found in Madagscar, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and many more locations.
The young leaves are pale green which later become dark green. In Autmn the colour of the leaves is yellow and this then changes to red in winter. The flowers of the River Bush Willow are pale yellow which grow on the tips of the branches. The fruit is poisonous giving someone severe hiccups if eaten. The roots of the River Bush Willow are long so it can get more water from deeper into the ground.