|
|
|
Zone 4: Moorland
Altitude: roughly 11,000 to 13,200
feet
Epitomizing the moorland, senecios and lobelias are also the
iconic plants of Kilimanjaro. The senecios, also known as
groundsels, have thick, weathered stems capped by cabbage-like
rosettes of tough leaves. Two giant groundsels common here,
Senecio kilimanjari and S. cottonii, are found
nowhere else in the world. Like the senecios, the endemic
lobelia, Lobelia deckenii, closes its rosette of leaves
at night to protect against frost. Large birds of prey like
the crowned eagle and the lammergeyer are often seen overhead,
while the lucky few might catch a glimpse of elands, duikers,
African hunting dogs, or even elephants.
|
|
