The Afromontane Region

Abstract

The vegetation of the highest mountains in tropical Africa is so different from that of the surrounding ‘lowlands’* that it has attracted the attention of travellers and scientists since the earliest days of botanical exploration. Even to the layman, it is familiar because of the unusual growth-forms of its giant lobelias and senecios. In recent years the flora and vegetation of these high peaks have been regarded by specialists (Hauman 1955, Hedberg 1965) as sufficiently distinct to justify the recognition of a separate phytogeographical ‘Afroalpine’ Region.