2,300 to 2,600 m (8,000 to 9,000 ft)
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The most extensive stands of dense bamboo in East Africa exist on Mount Kenya
forming a distinct crescent around the mountain and are a conspicuous component
of the wetter forest. The larger plants of the mondane bamboo (Arundinaria
alpina) may reach 12m. or more in height. On ridgetops the bamboo forms mixed
associations with Podocarpus milanjinus and Nuxia congesta. On the steeper
valley sides, bamboo exists as almost pure stands. Bamboo flowers once every 15
years or so and patches, often as large as a square kilometer, will
synchronously die back, leaving open ground that is then invaded by wych hazel,
cedar and a profusion of ground cover plants, under which a new crop of bamboo
will regenerate. |
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