| From 4000 m to snowline at about 5000 m, is the Afro-alpine Zone (similar in many respects to the paramos of the northern Andes of South America),dominated by tussock sedges (Carex spp.) and rushes, proteas, red-hot pokers (Kniphofia), and--most distinctively--giant lobelias (Lobelia spp.) and tree groundsels (Senecio spp.). The lobelias--familiar North American forms of the genus are small herbaceous plants-- may be 7 to 8 feet tall, while the arborescent groundsels may stand 30 feet high.
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| A Montane Zone exists from 1300-1500 m to 4000 m. It has two or three distinct subzones. At the lowest elevations is the montane forest. On wetter slopes this will be broadleaf and evergreen, but composed of species not found in the lowland forest. On drier slopes a coniferous forest of junipers and podocarps occurs. At the upper margins of the montane forest, bamboos may occur in patches or as a nearly continuous belt. The uppermost belt of the Montane Zone is composed of giant heaths (Ericaceae) up to 60 ft tall and draped with lichens. |
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| The regional vegetation of the lowlands (broadleaf evergreen forest west of the Ruwenzori and tropical savanna to the east, as shown here) extends up to elevations of about 1300 m. |
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| All photographs were taken on Mt. Kenya |
