Plant life has adapted to deal with the Kenyan terrain.
Kenya is home to a diverse range of plant life. The plants vary depending on the terrain, which stretches from coastal to mountain areas. Plants have become specially adapted to deal with the challenges of varied terrains.
Acacias
In Kenya there are over 40 species of acacias, and their wood is used in constructing buildings. The Maasai Mara, a large Kenyan game reserve, has a preponderance of acacias. Wildlife in this region eats the leaves from the thorny trees.
Baobab
The baobab is a branching tree that occupies the grasslands of Kenya. It is also known as the upside down tree. During the dry season, the leaves fall off and cause the branches to resemble an upside down root. The baobab is an important cultural motif, having a place in African stories and legends.
Elevation
Over 1,000 feet above sea level, forests of hardwood and evergreen thrive. Some of these trees can take up to 200 years to mature. At 6,000 feet, bamboo, cedar, junipers, orchids and flowering creepers become prevalent. At higher elevations are plants such as the gladioli (a part of the iris family), heather, groundsel trees and giant lobelia.
Coastal Plants
The coastal regions of Kenya are home to several different plants. The doum palm, which is unique among palms in that it has branches, provides nuts, material for houses from the trunk and thatch roofs from the leaves. Mangroves, on the other hand, grow in the salty water. They filter organic matter that is washed down from the mountains and provide homes for marine life.
Agriculture
Citrus trees, coffee and tea are crops that have been introduced into Kenya for agricultural reasons. Thousands of acres of sisal, an agave plant that has spread throughout the world, are grown for fiber to make rope, twine and mats.
