Picture the savanna and you probably see a flat-topped acacia against an orange sky. That tree is a good place to start, because the plants in the savanna are the grasses, trees, and shrubs tough enough to survive a dry season that can last half the year, poor soil, and regular wildfires. Grasses such as Bermuda, elephant, and red oat grass cover the ground and regrow from their roots after a fire. Trees like acacia and baobab stand far apart, and many shrubs carry sharp thorns to keep giraffes and antelope away, a defense shared by other plants with thorns.
Below are 15 of the most common savanna plants, grouped into grasses, trees, shrubs, flowers, and tropical species, with how each one survives. Heading on safari and want to name the trees you see? The Tree ID app identifies them from a photo.ant life in the savannas.
What Is the Biome of Savanna?
Savannas, often referred to as tropical grassland, is a grassland biome with a long dry season followed by a highly variable rainy season. It can be subdivided into the length of the dry season, vegetation types, and distinct functional and structural patterns, although it is somewhat arbitrary among ecologists. However, the most distinguishable feature is the presence of grassy plains with scattered trees.
Savanna Biome’s Characteristics
- The climate has two seasons, wet and dry, typically lasting at least 6 months.
- Perennial grasses are the typical plants in the savanna.
- The average temperature is between 68-86°F (20-30°C) in the dry season and 50-68°F (10-20°C) during the wet.
- Plants in savanna frequently experience bushfires in the dry season.
- Savanna grassland plants have developed unique adaptations to survive in the biome.
Where Are the Savanna Biomes Located? How Much Land Does It Cover?
Plants in the savanna biome are principally located in the tropical regions between 8° to 20° from the equator. They span almost half of the continent, with significant chunks in Africa, Australia, India, and South America. The other type is a temperate grassland, found further away from the equator in North America, Russia, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa.
What Is the Most Common Plant in African Savanna?
The most common African savanna plants are understory grasses such as Bermuda, Elephant, and Red Oat Grass; and scattered trees with open tree canopies, including Acacia, or with a swollen trunk like Baobab.
Characteristics of Plant in the Savanna
Plants of the savanna are gifted with interesting traits that allow them to survive in drought. Here are some of them:
- Deep root system — Savanna grasslands plants often have an incredibly long penetrating root system relative to the aboveground parts–an evolutionary advantage to extract even the slightest moisture underground.
- Thick bark — In a recent study, the thicker bark of many tree species indicates fire resistance than other biome forests. With frequent wildfires, savanna biome plants are more resilient to the warming future.
- Water-storage organ — Because of the long drought season, some plants have evolved to hoard water. This trait is demonstrated by baobab trees having barrel-like trunks that can store about 100,000 liters.
- Seasonal leaf loss and absence of leaves — One exciting characteristic of savanna grassland plants is to shed their leaves or not develop leaves at all. As foliage is the main exit point of moisture, eliminating it helps them conserve water.
- Spines — Some plants did not opt to lose their leaves but rather a plant warfare. Equipped with spines on the branches, savanna-dominant plants ward off themselves from most herbivores.
Typical African Savanna Biome Plants
What kinds of plants are in the savanna? Various plant species with different growth habits have specialized in this seasonal habitat: grasses, trees, shrubs, and annual and perennial flowers.
Grasses
Savanna is often pictured as a grassy landscape. Hence, we have made them on the list:
- Bermuda Grass — Like a maintained golf course, the green and short vegetation is perhaps the ground creeper Bermuda grass. It is a fast-growing plant that can arrest its growth when experiencing drought and sudden temperatures dip. It has an impressively deep root system allowing it to have a grand comeback the next growing season: rainy days. Because of these characteristics, they have become a favorite lawn grass species.
- Elephant Grass — has numerous names, such as Napier or Uganda grass. Many grazing beasts, and of course, elephants, enjoy feeding on its herbaceous leaves. It is a robust tall grass with profound roots, penetrating downwards, twice its above-ground length. It can tolerate low water and nutrient-poor soil and is the perfect candidate to grow in lands where crops cannot be cultivated.
- Red Oat Grass — Found in the African savanna, Asia, and the Pacific regions, this perennial grass reaches at least 4.9 ft (1.5 m). Growing in uncultivable lands, it is an important food source for herbivorous animals, primarily in livestock production as animal feed because of its high protein content. It has earned a good reputation in low-maintenance gardens because of its resistance to heat and drought.
Trees
Plants that live in savanna include trees scattered in the grasslands. If you happen to visit this unique landscape, be sure to spot these marvelous living landmarks:
- Acacia — Savanna is home to several acacia species, considered emblematic and prominent species. One of the most common savanna trees is the Senegal gum acacia which presents various morphological differences depending on its habitat. It possesses sharp spines as a deterrent to tall herbivores such as giraffes and tannins that are toxic to them.
- Baobab — If this tree can tell a story, it can recall what happened 2,000 years ago! It even appeared before humans first occupied their territory. Thanks to its barrel-shaped trunk, which can tower 100 ft (30 m) and expand 160 ft (50 m) in girth, this ancient giant can store water and nutrients to survive nature's harshness.
- Jackalberry Tree — This fruit-bearing tree is a crucial food source for many animals like jackals, hornbills, and baboons. Fruits are processed into flour and in brewing beers and brandy. It maintains a good relationship with termites with mutualistic benefits. The insects get free accommodation, while in return, the roots get aerated and moisture from the colonies' hard work.
Shrubs
Shrubs are a dominant type of vegetation in savanna and safari, armed with spines to deter herbivores. The most exemplary species of short shrubs are the following:
- Sickle Bush — Belonging to the same family of Acacia, this short tree can reach maximum heights of 23 ft (7 m) and span approximately 13 ft (4 m) with its spiny branches and feathery leaves. Its pendulous flowers with yellow and pink tones, from which it got its Latin name Dichrostachys, are the bee's favorite treats.
- Buffalo Thorn — Measuring at least 9.8 ft (3 m) tall, this medium-sized bush typically grows along the seasonal riverbeds to take advantage of the scarce water. You can easily distinguish this short tree by its zigzagging twigs, double spines at each point, and shiny, light green leaves.
- Raisin Bush — Savanna hosts several species of raisin bush that typically flourish near the watershed banks. They are named after, well, raisins due to the resemblance of the tiny fruits when ripe. Typically flowering during the rainy season, the 5-petalled stellate flowers are joyous to watch.
Flowers
Although plants that live in the savanna are grass-dominated, some flowers also bloom along with them:
- Heath Aster — A sunflower family member, this savanna species display its yellow blossoms mainly in fall. This is among the savanna flowers widely cultivated outside its native habitat. It can thrive barely anywhere, even with nutrient-devoid soils and little maintenance but is best grown under full sun and sandy soils.
- Euryops — Consisting of at least 97 described species, Euryops are low-lying flowering perennials that bloom from fall to winter. It got its botanical name from ancient Greek, meaning “wide eyes,” which refers to its lovely small flowers. They are fire resistant and can quickly reestablish because of the numerous seeds it produces each cycle.
- Great Blue Lobelia — Native to the grasslands of eastern and northern America, this blue-flowering plant is a friend of bumble bees and hummingbirds. Lobelia’s tubular flowers arranged in whorls are spectacular from July to September. They are also easy to cultivate and have virtually no known pests.
Other Tropical Plants
Because savanna is an “in-between” biome between the desert and temperate, particular habitats host some tropical savanna plants such as in the following:
- Palmyra Palm — refers to the palm species of the genus Borrasus spp., which have concentrated growing in tropical and subtropical biomes. Its fruits contain tough fibrous tissue that protects them from being snacked by animals and from harsh environments. The seeds can survive and germinate even after several years with their rigid shell.
- Candelabra Tree — While this tree may look like a cactus, it is neither a member of the cactus family nor a typical tree. It is a member of the euphorbia family that branches out like an umbrella and produces the green pigment directly on the stem rather than growing leaves.
- Lemon Grass — Along the wilderness of tropical savannas, lemongrass has found a niche to thrive and survive. Armed with aromatic leaves, it can defend itself from voracious insect herbivores. Its roots are well-anchored to the soil, can resist seasonal floods and competition with plants, and preserve the topsoil from eroding.
FAQ
What plants live in the savanna?
Plants that live in the savanna include grasses like Bermuda, elephant, and red oat grass; trees like acacia, baobab, and jackalberry; and thorny shrubs like buffalo thorn and sickle bush. Grasses cover most of the ground, with trees scattered far apart.
How do savanna plants survive?
Savanna plants survive long dry seasons and wildfires with deep roots that reach underground water, thick fire-resistant bark, and trunks that store water. Some drop their leaves in the dry season, and many grow thorns to keep grazing animals away.
What is the most common tree in the savanna?
The acacia is the most common and recognizable tree in the African savanna, with its flat, umbrella-shaped top and thorny branches. The baobab is another famous savanna tree, known for a massive trunk that can store around 100,000 liters of water.
What is the dominant plant in the savanna?
Grasses are the dominant plants in the savanna. Drought-tolerant species like Bermuda and elephant grass cover most of the land and feed many grazing animals, while trees such as acacia and baobab grow only here and there.
What plants and animals live in the savanna?
Savanna plants and animals depend on each other. Giraffes browse acacia leaves despite the thorns, elephants and zebras graze on elephant grass, and jackals, hornbills, and baboons eat jackalberry fruit. Termites even nest at the base of jackalberry trees.
Why are there so few trees in the savanna?
There are few trees in the savanna because long dry seasons, frequent wildfires, and grazing animals keep trees from spreading. Grasses recover quickly after fire and drought, so they take over the open land between scattered trees.
Do savanna plants need fire?
Many savanna plants are adapted to fire rather than harmed by it. Savanna grasses regrow from their roots soon after a burn, and thick-barked trees like acacia often survive. Regular fires also stop forests from replacing the open savanna.
Which savanna plants can you grow at home?
Several savanna plants grow well at home. Lemongrass thrives in a sunny pot, red oat grass suits low-maintenance gardens, and Bermuda grass is a popular lawn grass. The candelabra tree, a euphorbia, can be grown indoors as a striking succulent.
