Savanna Plant Life

Savanna Plant Life

Plants of the savannas are highly specialized to grow in this environment of long periods of drought. They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist annual fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that drop of during the winter to conserve water. The savanna is covered by grasses such as Rhodes grass, red oats grass, star grass, lemon grass, and some shrubs.. There are various types of trees that will grow in particular areas of a savanna biome. They include pine trees, palm trees, and acacia trees..

-Senegal Gum Acacia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The senegal gum acacia is a small to average sized thorn tree of the African grassland savanna. It can grow up to 20 meters tall. The leaves are a grey-green color. The flowers are yellow or cream colored and grow on spikes just above the thorns. These flowers turn into seed pods about 8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide.

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-Bermuda Grass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bermudagrass is one of the most sun loving warm season grasses. It grows in open areas where there are frequent disturbances such as grazing, flooding, and fire. It can be found growing in pastures and the understories of open woodlands and orchards. It will turn brown at the first dip in temperature. In the more warmer tropical south Bermuda will retain a beautiful green color all year round.

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-Elephant Grass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elephant grass is a tall grass that originally came from Africa. It grows in dense clumps of up to 10 feet tall. In the savannas of Africa. It grows along lake beds and rivers where the soil is rich. Local farmers cut the grass for their animals. The stems are coarse and hairy, and about 1 inch thick near the base.

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-Manketti Tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Manketti Tree is found in the African savanna. Its habitat is dotted with trees and does not receive enough rain to be considered a prairie. The manketti tree prefers hot and dry climates with low amounts of rain. It also prefers to grow in wooded hills and sand dunes. It has an upright manner of growth and is about 49 to 66 feet (15 to 20) meters tall.

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-Umbrella Thorn Acacia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umbrella Thorn Acacia is one of the most recognizable trees of the African savanna. It grows in sand dunes and rocky grounds of Africa's grasslands. Acacia's grow in areas with annual rainfall as low as 4 cm. This tree can survive in 122° F temperatures during the day, and freezing temperatures at nights.

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-River Bushwillow         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The river bushwillow likes a warm and dry climate. It is 30-35 ft tall. The branches grow rapidly and at crazy angles with an upright manner of growth. The river bushwillow has made adaptations that include a hydrophilic root system, thick bark to resist forest fires and leaf drop during dry periods to conserve energy and water.

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Fruits & Plants Found In The Savanna

-Edible Fruits and Useful Plants Found in Africa:

- Abal
(shrub; North Africa). Its flowers can be eaten, and contain high concentrations  of both sugar and nitrogen.


- Acacia
 (tree; prominent throughout Africa). You can eat its leaves, flowers and pods
 (either raw or cooked).


- Baobab 
(unmistakable tree; quite common throughout Africa). You can eat the root, the fruit pulp, the leaves (in a soup) and even the seeds that can be ground for flour.


- Beech
(tree; North Africa). Beech pods produce edible beechnuts once you remove the shell and white kernel within. Beechnuts have a sweet flavor and high oil content.


- Common Guarri
(shrub; South Africa). Black fruits are edible, while the bark can be used to get rid of headaches. Interesting bonus: you can fray the twigs to make a toothbrush.


- Marula
  (tree;  common species). Very tasty fruit, out of which the famous Amarula liquor is made.


- Monkey Orange (tree; most common in woodlands). Round fruit with hard shell. Easily crackable, and very juicy flesh. NB: Do not chew the soft seeds as they  are poisonous.


- Raisin Bush (shrub;  mainly Southern Africa). Bushmen people use the branches to make bows, arrows  and friction sticks to make fire. Raisin Bush berries are edible, the leaves can be  used for tea, whilst the bark is often utilized to make rope.


- Wild Melon  (creeper; arid and semi-arid regions of Africa; known as “Tsamma” in the  Kalahari). Looks pretty much like the usual melon variety. Could be a life saver  when stuck in the middle of nowhere due to its high water content. Both the  seeds and skin can also be eaten where roasted