The iconic giant groundsel plant (genus Dendrosenecio) on the Timau Route of Mount Kenya, East Africa.

The iconic giant groundsel plant grows high on the Timau Route for trekking Mount Kenya, East Africa. The giant groundsel plant (genus Dendrosenecio, family Asteraceae) — endemic to the high altitudes of the Afrotropics — is one of the most iconic plants of the world's alpine zones. The giant plants reach up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall, growing at altitudes between 3,900 metres (12,800 ft) and 4,500 metres (14,800 ft). In the alpine zone of Mount Kenya, Dendrosenecio keniodendron is the dominant woody species, forming evenly sized and evenly aged stands. Dendrosenecio keniodendron grows at the higher and drier altitudes of Mount Kenya; Dendrosenecio keniensis overlaps in lower altitudes of that species' range, as does Dendrosenecio battiscombei, but only in wetter environments. Scientists have segregated the Dendrosenecio genus out of the larger Senecio genus (their former classification). The silver-green leaves of these giant plants form rosettes that crown sturdy stems, which are adorned with soft, woolly hairs to protect against cold. We trekked on Mt Kenya for 7 days sleeping in tents plus 1 hut to escape wind. Mount Kenya National Park is honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. We hiked up Mt Kenya's remote Timau Route, rounded the Summit Circuit counterclockwise, and descended the Chogoria Route. The mountain's third highest peak, Point Lenana (4,985 m or 16,355 ft), is a worthy trekking goal, but icy rain forced our circumvention via the lower trail from Austrian Hut, climaxing around 15,715 feet elevation. Active 3.1-2.6 million years ago, volcanic Mount Kenya grew to ~21,000 ft high (higher than Kilimanjaro) before glaciation reduced its height. Now, its rapid glacial retreat threatens water reservoirs for much of Kenya. Mount Kenya's glacier remnants lost more than half of their 2016 extent by 2021-22. We noticed little ice left in February 2024.

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Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
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Contained in galleries: 2024 Feb AFRICA: TANZANIA, KENYA, VICTORIA FALLS, KENYA: trek Mount Kenya

The iconic giant groundsel plant grows high on the Timau Route for trekking Mount Kenya, East Africa. The giant groundsel plant (genus Dendrosenecio, family Asteraceae) — endemic to the high altitudes of the Afrotropics — is one of the most iconic plants of the world's alpine zones. The giant plants reach up to 6 metres (20 ft) tall, growing at altitudes between 3,900 metres (12,800 ft) and 4,500 metres (14,800 ft). In the alpine zone of Mount Kenya, Dendrosenecio keniodendron is the dominant woody species, forming evenly sized and evenly aged stands. Dendrosenecio keniodendron grows at the higher and drier altitudes of Mount Kenya; Dendrosenecio keniensis overlaps in lower altitudes of that species' range, as does Dendrosenecio battiscombei, but only in wetter environments. Scientists have segregated the Dendrosenecio genus out of the larger Senecio genus (their former classification). The silver-green leaves of these giant plants form rosettes that crown sturdy stems, which are adorned with soft, woolly hairs to protect against cold. We trekked on Mt Kenya for 7 days sleeping in tents plus 1 hut to escape wind. Mount Kenya National Park is honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. We hiked up Mt Kenya's remote Timau Route, rounded the Summit Circuit counterclockwise, and descended the Chogoria Route. The mountain's third highest peak, Point Lenana (4,985 m or 16,355 ft), is a worthy trekking goal, but icy rain forced our circumvention via the lower trail from Austrian Hut, climaxing around 15,715 feet elevation. Active 3.1-2.6 million years ago, volcanic Mount Kenya grew to ~21,000 ft high (higher than Kilimanjaro) before glaciation reduced its height. Now, its rapid glacial retreat threatens water reservoirs for much of Kenya. Mount Kenya's glacier remnants lost more than half of their 2016 extent by 2021-22. We noticed little ice left in February 2024.