Africa – the second largest continent on Earth – is the "home" of a large number of plant species. Due to its unusual location, the local flora is very diverse. The continents are divided by the equator and the zero meridian, and the almost perfect symmetry of the position relative to the first line determines the geographical division of the vegetation here.
Africa was part of the Old World and was known partially in ancient times (the name of Africa determines the provinces). It covers an area of more than 30 million square kilometers, almost three times that of Europe. Africa's unique geographical location is reflected in the symmetrical arrangement of climate zones, which in turn determines the extraordinary diversity of the plant world. What plants can be found in Africa?
Climate of Africa
Throughout the earth, the elements of the natural environment vary with latitude. The phenomenon of geographic partitioning is due to the shape of our planet and its position relative to the Sun. We are talking about differences in the angle of incidence of the sun's rays, which is related to changes in the amount of solar energy reaching the various parallel lines. Africa is located relative to equatorial symmetry, which is expressed in well-defined symmetry in the climate zone system.
Africa's climate is due not only to the continent's position relative to the equator, but also because of its flat surface, the absence of large mountains (allowing air masses to flow freely) and alpine nature, high coastal edges. and a photo of the current. The type of climate in Africa is determined mainly based on temperature, rainfall and its annual progression.
The northern and southern parts of the continent have a humid subtropical climate, and the southwest coast has a humid tropical climate. The intersection of Africa and the Tropic of Cancer is a dry tropical climate zone. In the equatorial region, we are dealing with a humid sub-equatorial climate and an extremely humid equatorial climate. The Capricorn tropics have a dry tropical climate, while the mountains have mountain varieties of different climatic types.
Each climate zone has its own flora. Marcia bushes and evergreen sclerophyll forests have been found on the northern coast and in the Atlas Mountains region. To the south, the vegetation becomes sparse and takes on an extremely dry form. It then transitions to semi-arid and savanna vegetation. In areas characterized by heavy rainfall, evergreen corridors and equatorial forests appear. Below, monsoon and arid strata, savannas, semi-deserts and deserts dominate. The southern coast is known for its peculiar desert rocks and sclerophyll forests, which are mainly made up of shrubs.
What is grown in Africa? Let's look at some interesting points.
African baobab tree
What trees are there in Africa? Baobab – many people will definitely say this answer. This is certainly true, but it is worth explaining a little. There are 8 species of this genus worldwide, but only one has been found in Africa. This is the Adansonia digitata or African baobab tree, also known as correct.
This large tree in the mallow family is the largest baobab tree and the largest (though not the tallest) of all African trees. Its height varies from 12 meters to 18 meters, the trunk diameter is 9 meters, and the circumference reaches 30 meters.
Unlike its relatives, the African baobab tree grows alone. It is often found in the tropical Sahel and Sudan. Elsewhere in North Africa, the distribution of trees is closely related to the rhythm of rainfall.
From May to July, magnificent white flowers bloom from the trees. They emit an unpleasant smell—a faint, slightly pale smell. The fruit has a lignified shell covered with white, sour flesh and many kidney-shaped seeds.
date palm
When it comes to the flora endemic to Africa, one cannot ignore the date palm tree, the date palm. Hyacinth is a plant of the betel nut family, which is no longer seen in the wild, but the climate of Africa has created favorable conditions for its cultivation. The plant prefers a dry climate, so deserts and semi-arid regions are perfect for it. Africa's crops are located in the northern part of the continent, mainly in the nile and oasis of the Sahara Desert.
The bushes reach heights of 15 to 25 m (it happens that several logs grow from one root system). The leaves of this plant are 3 meters long and the fruit is called a date, which is up to 70 mm long.
It is for these small fruits that these trees were planted. Dates are rich in vitamins and valuable minerals, but most importantly they have a high energy value. At 70%. Composed of carbohydrates, 100 grams of dried fruit contains more than 280 kcal. It is important to note that they contain very little water and the drying process does not significantly alter their properties.
Senegal Acacia
The tree that defines the African savannah landscape next to the baobab tree is senegal acacia or Senegalese acacia. It is found in Senegal, Somalia, Congo and South Africa. It also exists in various regions of the Arabian Peninsula outside Of Africa.
Compared to other species representing the genus, senegal acacia is quite low. Up to 5 m. It has a wide and flattened umbel-shaped crown. It is these properties that enable plants to survive in adverse environments. Lower height means less water use, while a particular canopy is covered with feathery leaves that are well resistant to the blazing sun.
Oil Guinea palm
Another palm tree on our list, this time an olive tree. Elaeis guineensis is a member of the regional family and grows wild in Africa and Madagascar, but is also cultivated in other climate-friendly parts of the world. In Africa, it occurs in rainfall regions, mainly in the Gulf of Guinea and the Congo Basin. The largest cultivation of this plant is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Oil palm up to 15 m tall. The root system consists of only one log with characteristic pinnate leaves up to 4 m long. This beautiful tree is valued mainly for its precious fruit. The content of small stone fruits (the size of Hungarian plums) is as high as 70%. Fat for the manufacture of cooking oils, soaps, cosmetics, candles and lubricants. Seeds, on the other hand, are one of the staple foods of people in the mid-western regions of the African continent.
Raw stone flowers
The vegetation of Africa is full of exotic species. One of the most unusual is the genus Lithophyllum . That's right, we're talking about the famous "living stones" found at the southern tip of the continent, mainly on Karl land.
This is one of the most unusual and certainly strange plants in the world. They have a shortened stem, and their leaves stick together in pairs to form a cylindrical shape that resembles stone in shape, color, and size. Bright white or yellow flowers are hidden in the gaps between the leaves.
This peculiar appearance is a camouflage that allows raw stone flowers to survive in the environment. "Living stone" is similar to an environment with few plants but abundant stone material (an imitation phenomenon). So he avoids herbivores.
There is another mechanism by which raw stone flowers allow them to grow in a dry environment. These unusual plants are succulents, which means they can store water in their leaves.
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