Fichtelberg about the former composition of the forest. The main tree species of the Hercynian mixed forest of the highlands - the silver fir ("Abies alba"), European beech ("Fagus sylvatica") and Norway spruce ("Picea abies") - occurred in roughly equal proportions of around 30% on the ridgelines. Old church records and forest assessments contain descriptions of the original condition of the forest, showing that the Fichtelberg was covered by mixed forest consisting of the aforementioned tree species. The present dominance of the spruce is primarily a result of human influence. Improper management such as deforestation and high populations of game steadily
Dioscorea sylvatica variable species, with several extremely distinct varieties. It is threatened from illegal collecting for traditional medicine, as well as for the horticultural trade. As a consequence it is listed as Vulnerable. Dioscorea sylvatica Dioscorea sylvatica ("forest elephants foot") is a species of a twining tuberous vine that is native to Africa. It is common and widespread in forest and thicket, throughout the summer rainfall areas of East and Southern Africa. It produces a distinctively flattened caudex, often with lobes that spread out. The creeping shoots grow throughout most of the year, though each will periodically die back and be replaced