Alsophila dregei in a very suitable spot

The grassland tree fern, Alsophila dregei, also becomes big in the open on mountain slopes as here not far from the Sani Pass. Moisture is a requirement, but temperature extremes and fast veld fires do not bother its fibrous although furry trunk too much.

The generic name, Alsophila, is derived from the Greek words alsos, meaning grove or glade and phila meaning loving, referring to the open spaces in woods and forests where these impressive plants like to grow.

Some grassland birds welcome the height and privacy of tree fern crowns for their annual nests (Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist; Wikipedia; https://pza.sanbi.org).