The vegetation over mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Transvaal Lowveld, South Africa

Abstract

Following a review of the physical environment and characteristic vegetation of the Transvaal Lowveld the distributions of the distinctive shrub communities over serpentinite and pyroxenite bedrock within the Palabora Complex and in the Mashishimale area are evaluated with reference to levels of major, minor and trace elements in the soils. The distributions are shown to be associated with low calcium and phosphorus levels, high magnesium levels and low calcium/magnesium ratios. The plants however are found to derive adequate calcium and phosphorus from the small amounts present in the soils.