Flora of the Sudan

[v]CONTENTS

[vii]PREFACE

In the Appendix of his Report on the Forests of the Sudan, published in 1901, Mr. C. E. Muriel, of the Imperial Indian Forest Service, gave a list of the more common trees and shrubs and of a few other plants, together with short descriptions and statements on their uses and economic value, also their Arabic and, where possible, the Hameg names.

At the end of that year the Sudan Government gave me the appointment of Director of Woods and Forests. At that time only few of the volumes of the Flora of Tropical Africa had appeared and the earliest ones were already antiquated. During the numerous journeys taken by me in various parts of the Sudan, my wife and I were able to collect a large number of plants, making at the same time notes of their names in various languages of the Sudan, and their economic and other uses. I also received considerable help, as regards Golo names, from the late Mr. S. Skirmunt, then Deputy Inspector of Forests in the Bahr el Ghazal Province. By 1906 I had gathered sufficient material both from my trips and from the Kew Herbarium to draw up a rough “Catalogue of Sudan Flowering Plants,” giving short descriptions, a number of vernacular names and some economic and other uses, many of which were obtained from Watt’s Dictionary of Economic Products.[1] As it was somewhat hastily got up it was printed by the Sudan Government not for general circulation, but for the use of Sudan officials only.

During the years which followed, up to my retirement in 1910, I was able to add to the list a considerable number of names both scientific and vernacular. I am indebted for the help I received, as regards Kordofan[viii] plants, to Mr. H. B. MacMichael, of the Sudan Civil Service, and, as regards the Red Sea littoral, to Mr. Cyril Crossland, at that time Marine Biologist to the Sudan Government.

After my retirement Mr. R. E. Massey was appointed, in 1912, Sudan Government Botanist, and I had the good fortune of securing his co-operation in bringing out a more complete Catalogue of the Flowering Plants of the Sudan. Mr. Massey, by his presence on the spot, and by his technical knowledge, has been able to give to the present Catalogue a greater completeness and finish than I should have been capable of unaided; he was also able to get further assistance from other persons in the Sudan. He particularly and gratefully acknowledges the help he received from Mrs. Crowfoot, wife of Mr. J. W. Crowfoot, Director of Education, in a variety of ways, such as collections of plants, Hadendowa and other vernacular names, and drawings and paintings of plants. A number of Dinka and Shilluk names were also given by Mr. H. C. Jackson, of the Sudan Civil Service, and Nuer names by the late Major Stigand. A collection of plants of the Burun country, with their vernacular names, was received from Dr. Kamar, of the Egyptian Army, a further collection by Mr. Sillitoe, superintendent of Gardens, Khartoum, from the Lado District, and one from Admiral Lynes, C.B., C.M.G., in Darfur, mostly in the region of the range of mountains, called Jebel Marra, which attains an elevation of over 10,000 ft., and bears a flora quite distinct from all other parts of the Sudan.

The Catalogue was at first compiled without any descriptive matter, but Mr. R. Hewison, Director of Agriculture and Forests, Sudan Government, speaking on behalf of that Government, which is defraying the costs of printing this book, expressed an opinion that it would be more useful to officials in the Sudan if short descriptions were added. In order, therefore, to supply these as quickly as possible we depended very largely on descriptions in the Flora of Tropical Africa, which we shortened considerably. My wife and I worked this out as far as and including the Cyperaceæ, and Mr. Massey undertook to do the grasses, part only of which have as[ix] yet appeared in the Flora. He desires to acknowledge the aid received from Mr. C. E. Hubbard in the preparation of the key to the Grasses. Mr. J. Hutchinson kindly helped us with plants in the Kew Herbarium which have not been described in the Flora. But a further acknowledgment is due to Mr. Hutchinson. He has regrouped the Natural Orders according to the system described in his recent book, The Families of Flowering Plants, I. Dicotyledons,[2] and has also furnished a key to the Classification, thus bringing this book into line with all the African Regional Floras which are to be taken in hand. He has also consented to look over the proofs. Our most cordial thanks are due for his help.

My wife has been constantly associated with me in my share of the work from the time when we collected material in the Sudan until now, and deserves also to earn her share of whatever credit may be given for this work.

Finally, I wish to record the debt of gratitude which we owe to Dr. Hill, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to Mr. Cotton, the Keeper of the Herbarium, to Dr. Stapf, the late Keeper, and to the Staff of the Herbarium, most particularly Mr. C. H. Wright, Mr. Dunn, Miss Hughes, and Mr. Skan for the numerous acts of kindness and help which they have given us, making thus our work light and pleasant.

A. F. BROUN.

“Oaklands,”

Ampthill,

Dec. 18th, 1925.

Note.—Owing to various causes, for which we are not responsible, the printing of this book has been considerably delayed. Mrs. Crowfoot, to whom reference has been made above, is now bringing out a companion volume to this, containing drawings of various plants from the Northern and Central Sudan.

My dear wife, who shared all my work, died on the 11th April, 1927.

A. F. BROUN.

Ampthill,

March 20th, 1928.

[x]ABBREVIATIONS.

[1]GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS

abruptly pinnate, when the leaflets are arranged in pairs along the rhachis of a compound leaf without a terminal one.

acaulescent, without stem or apparently so.

accrescent, applied to a calyx or corolla, enlarging after flowering.

achene, a dry indehiscent, one-seeded fruit.

acicular, needle-like.

aculeate, prickly and pointed.

acuminate, narrowed at the apex into a long point.

acute, tapering to a sharp point.

-adelphous, suffix used to show the number of bundles of stamens there are in a flower where these are joined by their filaments; see monadelphous, diadelphous, polyadelphous.

adhesion, the union of dissimilar parts of a flower, e.g., calyx and ovary.

adnate, attached through their whole length, usually the smaller to the greater.

adpressed, see appressed.

æstivation, the arrangement of sepals and petals in bud.

agglomerate, crowded together in a bunch.

alternate, applied to leaves when only one issues from each node and the next above or below is on another side of the stem.

amplexicaul, when a leaf, stipule or bract embraces the stem.

ampulliform, flask-shaped.

andrœcium, the male organs of a flower, considered as a whole.

-androus, suffix used to show the number of stamens, e.g., pentandrous, with 5 stamens.

annual, a plant which lives only one year.

anterior, in front.

anther, the upper part of a stamen, bearing pollen.

anticous, foremost.

apetalous, flowers without petals.

apex, the tip.

apiculate, with a small hard point at the tip.

appressed, pressed close to something else.

aril or arillus, a fleshy covering of some seeds.

aristate, when the point of a leaf is fine like a hair.

articulate, jointed and separating freely.

ascending, sloping upwards.

auricles, appendages at the base of the leaf-blade.

awn, a thread-like extension of a seed or other organ (as in barley).

axil, the angle formed at the attachment of a leaf or a flower to the stem.

axillary, arising from the axil.

axile, of ovules when attached to the central axis of the ovary.

[2]barren, when a flower produces no seed or pollen.

basifixed, when an anther is attached by its base to the filament.

berry, a pulpy fruit containing one or several seeds.

biennial, a plant living for two years only.

bifid, 2-cleft.

bipinnate, when the divisions of a pinnate leaf are again pinnate (e.g. Acacia).

bipinnatifid, when the segments of a pinnatifid leaf are also pinnately lobed.

bipinnatipartite, when the segments of a pinnatipartite leaf are also deeply and pinnately lobed.

biternate, when the parts of a ternate leaf are also ternately divided.

blade (or lamina), the upper, usually broader part of a leaf.

bract, a small leaf, usually differing from foliage leaves in shape or colour, at the base of a flower stalk; also the divisions of an involucre.

bracteoles, the last minute bracts under each flower.

bud, a leaf or flower before it opens.

bulb, a modified, usually underground stem, more or less globose in shape, clothed with succulent leaves or scales (e.g., the Onion).

caducous, falling off early.

calyptrate, with hood-like covering on flower or fruit.

calyx, the outer envelope of a flower, made up of sepals.

campanulate, bell-shaped.

cancellate, resembling a grill, or latticed.

canescent, hoary.

capillary, hair-like, very fine.

capitate, arranged in a head.

capitulum or head, when several sessile (or nearly so) flowers are collected into a compact head-like cluster at the end of the axis.

capsule, a dry dehiscent seed-vessel composed of 2 or more carpels and usually containing several seeds.

carpel, the leaf of one of the leaves forming the ovary.

caudate, produced at the apex into a long, tail-like appendage.

cauline, growing from the stem.

cell, a unit of plant growth, also a subdivision of the ovary, e.g., 5-celled ovary.

ciliate, fringed with long hairs.

circinate, rolled up like the top of a bishop’s crozier.

cirrhate, with curled or forked tendrils.

cladode, a flattened branch taking on the appearance and functions of a leaf (e.g., Asparagus).

clavate, club-shaped, i.e., cylindrical, but getting broader at the apex.

claw, the narrowed base of a petal.

club-shaped, see clavate.

coccus, 1-seeded carpel of a dehiscent fruit.

column, applied to stamens and style when confluent, as in Asclepiadaceæ and Orchidaceæ.

[3]compound inflorescence, when an inflorescence, such as a raceme, umbel, etc., is subdivided into subsidiary inflorescences, and forms a panicle, compound umbel, etc.

compound leaf, when a leaf is divided into segments right down to the midrib, so that each segment forms an individual leaflet which can drop off by itself at the fall of the leaves.

connate, when two or more like-parts of a flower are united.

connective, the portion of the anther which unites the two cells.

connivent, converging.

cordate, heart-shaped, i.e., of a leaf, with 2 rounded basal lobes and ovate, unless otherwise mentioned.

coriaceous, thick and tough, like leather.

corm, a bulb-shaped solid underground stem, in which reserve material is stored.

corolla, the inner envelope of a flower (not always present), made up of petals.

corona, a crown-like excrescence between corolla and stamens.

corymb, a raceme, the lower pedicels of which are gradually lengthened so as to bring all its flowers on the same level.

costate, ribbed.

cotyledon, one of the (or the) first seed-leaves.

crenate, with rounded teeth.

crenulate, with small rounded teeth.

culm, the stem of Bamboos.

cuneate, wedge-shaped.

cuspidate, tipped with a sharp point.

cyme, an inflorescence in which the flowers are produced centrifugally on successive lateral axes.

deciduous, applied to plants whose leaves are all shed at a certain season of the year.

decompound, several times subdivided or compound, applied to leaves or inflorescence.

decumbent, spreading horizontally, then turning upwards.

decurrent, applied to leaves, the margins of which run down the stem below the insertion of the petiole.

decussate, when leaves are in pairs successively at right angles to each other on the stem.

dehiscent, splitting (of fruits to let out the seeds).

dentate, dog-toothed, i.e., with teeth of equal sides.

denticulate, finely dog-toothed.

diadelphous, of stamens when they are joined by their filaments into two groups, e.g., some of the Papilionaceæ.

diandrous, with 2 stamens.

dichotomous, applied to a stem, branch or inflorescence which forks again and again.

dicotyledons, with two seed-leaves.

didymous, divided into two lobes, in pairs.

didynamous, with two long and two short stamens.

diffuse, widely and loosely spreading.

[4]digitate, applied to a compound leaf, the leaflets of which spread like the fingers of a hand.

diœcious, of plants the stamens of which are in flowers on one individual and the ovary and style on another.

disc or disk, the receptacle on which are set flowers in a capitulum, as in Compositæ, or at the base of the ovary within the flower.

disc-florets, the regular tubular florets of certain Compositæ, which, if accompanied by ligulate florets, occupy the centre of the disc, while the latter are on the rim and called ray-florets.

distichous, arranged in the same plane, i.e., at two right angles to each other.

divaricate, widely spreading.

drupe, a fleshy indehiscent fruit containing a “stone” in which the seed is enclosed.

echinate, covered with prickles, like a hedgehog.

elliptical, shaped like an ellipse, oval.

emarginate, notched, usually at the apex of a leaf or petal.

ensiform, sword-shaped.

entire, applied to the margin of a leaf which is not toothed or notched.

epicalyx, applied to a row of bracts, sometimes joined together, outside the calyx, e.g., some of the Malvaceæ.

epigynous, apparently seated upon the ovary.

epipetalous, applied to stamens seated on the petals.

epiphyte, a plant which grows on another without being parasitic, e.g., some Orchids.

evergreen, applied chiefly to shrubs and trees which bear leaves all the year round.

exserted, protruding, applied chiefly to stamens which show outside the flower.

exstipulate, having no stipules.

extra-axillary, from outside the axil.

falcate, scythe- or sickle-shaped.

fascicled or fasciculate, in bundles or tufts.

fastigiate, with parallel erect clustered branches.

fertile, capable of bearing fruit, applied also to stamens bearing pollen.

-fid, a suffix, meaning split, e.g., bifid, split in two, trifid, split in three, etc.

filament, the stalk of a stamen.

filiform, thread-like.

fimbriate, with a fringed margin.

flabellate or flabelliform, fan-shaped.

flexuose, bent alternately to right and to left.

floccose, with tufts of wool.

foliaceous, having the appearance or texture of leaves.

follicle, a carpel opening at the inner suture only, e.g., some Asclepiadiaceæ and Apocynaceæ.

[5]-foliolate, used to denote the number of leaflets, e.g., trifoliolate, with 3 leaflets, etc.

free, not united.

fruticose, shrubby.

fugaceous, falling off early.

funicle, the stalk attaching the seed to the placenta.

fusiform, spindle-shaped.

gamopetalous, when all the petals of a corolla are united.

gamophyllous, when the leaves of a perianth are joined together.

gamosepalous, when the sepals of a calyx are joined together.

geminate, in pairs.

gibbous, swollen or humped on one side.

glabrate, almost hairless.

glabrous, smooth, without hairs.

gland, an organ of secretion, represented by a small lump, which is sometimes stalked and called a stipitate gland.

glandular hairs are hairs which are enlarged at the top and contain a viscous secretion.

glaucous, with a bluish waxy bloom.

glochidiate, applied to hairs or bristles hooked at the top.

glume is one of the bracts enclosing the flowers of sedges and grasses.

glumule, the bract which forms the exterior covering of each flower of a spikelet in grasses.

granular, covered with numerous minute excrescences.

gymnosperms, plants whose ovules are naked, i.e., not enclosed in carpels, e.g., Gnetaceæ and Cycadaceæ.

gynæcium, the female organs of a flower.

gynobasic, of a style when it arises at or near the base of the ovary, e.g., Labiatæ.

gynophore, applied to the receptacle below the ovary when elongated and stalk-like.

-gynous, suffix used to show the number of carpels in an ovary, e.g., trigynous, with 3 carpels.

habit, the habitual shape of a plant as it stands.

habitat, the locality which a plant selects for growing in on account of suitability of climate, soil, elevation, etc., etc.

hastate, halberd-shaped, applied to leaves the basal lobes of which are pointed and turned outwards at right angles to the axis of the leaf.

head, see capitulum.

herbaceous, tender and green, not woody.

hermaphrodite, applied to flowers having both male and female organs.

hilum, a scar on a seed showing the place of its attachment to the fruit.

hirsute, with long, rough hairs.

hispid, with stiff hairs or bristles.

hoary, with short white hairs or down.

hyaline, glass-like, transparent or translucent.

[6]hypocrateriform, salver-shaped, applied to a corolla when it expands in a flat manner.

hypogynous, applied to a flower, the sepals, petals and the stamens of which arise beneath the pistil.

imbricate, overlapping like the tiles of a roof.

imparipinnate, pinnate with an uneven number of leaflets.

indefinite, without fixed number, usually meaning a large number (of sepals, petals, stamens, etc.).

indehiscent, applied to fruits which do not split to allow the seed to escape.

inferior, applied to an ovary means that it is enclosed in and adherent to the calyx.

inflorescence, the manner in which flowers are arranged on a plant.

infundibuliform, funnel-shaped.

internode, the portion of a stem between the point of attachment of two successive leaves, if alternate leaves, or pairs of leaves, if they are opposite.

interrupted, when applied to an inflorescence means that portion of the axis bears no flowers although there are some both above and below.

involucel, the involucre of a secondary umbel.

involucre, a whorl of bracts, sometimes united and sometimes in several rows below an inflorescence or an individual flower.

involute, rolled from the back, e.g., towards the upper surface of a leaf.

irregular, applied to a flower which cannot be divided into two equal sections in whatever direction from above it is cut.

-jugate, in pairs, e.g., bijugate in 2 pairs, trijugate in 3 pairs, multijugate in many pairs, etc.

keel, the (more or less) united two lower petals in Papilionaceæ; also applied to straight longitudinal nerves on bracts, sepals or petals.

labiate, lipped, referring to the shape of the corolla or perianth.

laciniate, cut about, ragged, applied to leaves, the lobes of which are narrow and irregular.

lamina, the blade or broad part of a leaf.

lanceolate, lance-shaped, applied to leaves about three times longer than broad, broadest below the middle and tapering to the apex.

latex, milky sap.

leaflet, a subdivision of a compound leaf, q.v.

legume, the seed-vessel of Leguminosæ, 1-celled and 2-valved.

lepidote, covered with small scurfy scales.

ligulate, strap-shaped.

[7]ligule, a kind of stipule embracing the stem of grasses where the sheath gives way to the blade of the leaf.

ligulifloræ, a section of the Compositæ, the florets of which in a head have all a strap-shaped corolla.

limb, the broader part of a leaf, but more commonly the broader part of the corolla above the tube, where it expands.

linear, narrow and long with parallel margins.

lip, a long more or less pendent corolla lobe or petal as in Labiatæ, Orchidaceæ, etc.

lobes, the divisions of a simple leaf or calyx or corolla or fruit.

lobulate, having minute lobes.

-locular, divided into compartments or cells, e.g., trilocular = 3-celled.

lodicules, hyaline or fleshy nerveless scales in grasses, representing the perianth of the flower.

lunate, crescent-shaped.

lyrate, applied to a pinnatifid leaf with a broader rounded terminal lobe and smaller, shorter ones below, e.g., some Cruciferæ and Compositæ.

marcescent, withering on the plant without falling off, e.g., the flower of Dombeya.

membranous, thin and not stiff.

-merous, used to show the numbers of parts in each floral envelope, e.g., trimerous, having 3 sepals, 3 petals (if any), 3 stamens, and (or) 3 carpels.

monadelphous, when all the stamens are joined by their filaments, thus forming a sheath round the ovary, e.g., Malvaceæ, some Leguminosæ, etc.

monandrous, with one stamen.

moniliform, or beaded, repeatedly constricted, e.g., the pod of Acacia arabica.

monocotyledon, having only one seed-leaf, e.g., Palms, Grasses, Sedges, Lilies, etc.

monœcious, a plant having separate male and female flowers on the same individual, see diœcious.

mucronate, terminating abruptly in a short stiff point or mucro.

multifid, divided distinctly into many parts.

multipartite, divided deeply into many parts.

multisect, divided so deeply into many parts that the individual parts are practically divided off.

muricate, covered with short, sharp protuberances.

naked, applied to a flower means that it has no calyx or corolla, applied to a seed that it has no pericarp.

-nate, a suffix showing that 2 or more leaves, etc., are together, e.g., binate, 2 together, ternate, in a whorl of 3, etc.

nectary, an organ secreting sugary fluid within the flower.

node, the point of attachment of a leaf to a stem.

[8]nodose, applied to roots and stems swollen at intervals, knotted.

nut, a dry indehiscent fruit with a hard woody pericarp.

ob-, a prefix which used with terms denoting shape (excepting oblong) means that the shape is inverted; e.g., oblanceolate or obovate applied to a leaf mean that the broader part of the leaf is towards the apex as if it had been inverted, obcordate inverted heart-shaped, with the lobes at the apex.

oblong, elongated elliptic.

obtuse, blunt.

ochrea, a membranous sheath, e.g., some Polygonaceæ.

opposite, applied to leaves means that these are inserted in pairs, one leaf on either side of the stem.

orbicular, round, circular.

organ, every part of a plant which has a distinct function to perform.

ostiole, small aperture as, e.g., into the receptacle in Ficus.

oval, of the same shape as the mathematical figure.

ovary, one or more carpels enclosing one or more ovules.

ovate, somewhat egg-shaped in outline, flat and scarcely twice as long as broad, broadest below the middle.

ovoid, applied to bodies of three dimensions, e.g., ovaries and seeds, which are egg-shaped.

ovule, the early condition of future seeds within the ovary.

palate, part of the lower lip which closes the mouth of a ringent corolla; e.g., in Snap-Dragon.

paleaceous, chaff-like.

paleæ, inner bracts or scales in Compositæ or Gramineæ, see also valvules.

palmate, applied to a simple leaf divided like a hand into several lobes.

palmatifid, more deeply divided than the former.

palmatipartite or palmatisect, palmately divided to the root of the main ribs.

pandurate or panduriform, fiddle-shaped.

panicle, when the axis of an inflorescence bears branches having two or more flowers, when the term is used alone it usually means a compound raceme, a cymose panicle has the branches in cymes, a corymbose panicle has them in corymbs and so on.

pappus, an appendage consisting of a ring of hairs or scales round the top of a fruit, e.g., some of the Compositæ.

parasite, a plant living on the sap of another plant.

-partite, deeply divided, see pinnatipartite, palmatipartite, pedatipartite and multipartite.

patent, open, spreading at right angles to the axis.

pectinate, finely divided like the teeth of a comb.

pedate, applied to a compound leaf when the divisions are at first ternate, but the outer branches are forked and the outer ones of each fork again forked.

[9]pedatifid, applied to a simple leaf divided in a similar way to a pedate leaf.

pedatipartite or pedatisect, when the divisions are practically to the main nerve.

pedicel, the stalk of a flower in a compound inflorescence.

peduncle, the stalk of a solitary flower, or of an inflorescence.

peltate, applied to a leaf which is more or less orbicular and the petiole of which is inserted not at the lower margin but near the centre.

perennial, when the life of a plant lasts more than 2 years, although the upper portion may die down to the ground every year.

perianth, the only floral envelope in the Apetalæ and in Monocotyledons.

pericarp, the wall of the ovary when in fruit.

perigynous, when the corolla and stamens are borne on the calyx and free from the ovary.

persistent, which does not fall off.

petal, a leaf of the inner envelope of a flower, often brightly coloured, absent from certain plants.

petaloid, having the appearance of a petal.

petiole, the leaf-stalk.

petiolule, the stalk of a leaflet.

phanerogam, a flowering plant.

pilose, sprinkled thinly with long soft hairs.

pinnate, applied to a compound leaf, the leaflets of which are arranged, feather like, on either side of the rhachis; see abruptly pinnate, imparipinnate, bipinnate.

pinnatifid, when a simple leaf is divided into a series of lobes on either side of the midrib.

pinna, in bi- or tripinnate leaves each subdivision with the leaflets it comprises is called a pinna.

pinnatipartite or pinnatisect, the lobes more deeply divided than in a pinnatifid leaf and reaching almost to the midrib.

pistil, the innermost whorl of the flower consisting of one or more carpels, and includes ovary, style and stigma.

pitted, covered with small depressed spots.

placenta, is the part of the interior of the ovary to which the ovules are attached.

placentation, the method of attachment of the ovules, viz., axile when attached to the axis, but if this axis does not reach the top the placentation is free central, and parietal when attached to the inner wall of the ovary.

plicate, folded longitudinally like a closed fan.

plumose, like a tuft of long feathers, e.g., the leaves of a palm.

plumule, the leaf-bearing part of the embryo.

pod, a one-celled, two-valved seed vessel.

pollen, the fertilizing dust contained within the anther.

pollinia or pollen-masses, club-shaped collections of pollen in Asclepiadaceæ and Orchidaceæ.

[10]polyadelphous, when the stamens are united into several bundles by junction of filaments.

polyandrous, with many stamens.

polycarpous or polycarpellary, with many carpels.

polygamous, bearing male, female and hermaphrodite flowers at the same time on the same plant, but if on distinct plants they are polygamo-diœcious.

polypetalous or dialypetalous, when the petals are free.

polysepalous or dialysepalous, when the sepals are free.

præmorse, as though the end were bitten off.

prickle, a sharp excrescence from the epidermis of a plant and not from the wood.

procumbent, of a plant which lies along the ground for the greater part of its length.

prostrate, when a plant lies down throughout its length.

puberulent, minutely downy.

pubescent, downy.

quadrate, square.

raceme, an inflorescence in which stalked flowers are inserted along a central axis.

rachilla and rachis, see rhachilla and rhachis.

radical, springing from the root.

radicle, the embryo root.

ray florets, the outer florets, in the capitulum of certain Compositæ.

rays of an umbel, the pedicels bearing the flowers or secondary umbels.

receptacle, the short, flat, convex or conical axis on which the flowers of a head are seated, as in Compositæ; also the extremity of the flower-stalk above the calyx (also called torus) on which the corolla, stamens and pistil are inserted.

reclinate, bent downwards.

recurved, bent back.

reduplicate, folded back.

reflexed, bent back abruptly.

regular, applied to a flower means that all parts of the floral whorls are equal among themselves.

reniform, kidney-shaped.

reticulated, net-like.

retrorse, turned backwards.

retuse, very blunt and slightly indented.

revolute, rolled back, in case of a leaf towards the underside.

rhachilla, a secondary axis in the flowers of Sedges and Grasses.

rhachis, the stalk of a compound leaf bearing the leaflets; also the portion of the axis of an inflorescence from the lowest ramification upwards.

rhomboidal, applied to leaves or leaflets means more or less 4-angled but not square.

rostellate, with a small beak.

[11]rostrate, beaked.

rosulate, rosette-shaped.

rotate, wheel-shaped; of a corolla when the petals or lobes are spread out horizontally from the base.

rufous, foxy-red.

rugose, wrinkled.

runcinate, pinnatifid with the lobes pointing downwards.

runner, a prostrate branch, rooting at places.

saccate, bag-like.

sagittate, applied to a leaf the basal lobes or auricles point downwards like the barbs of an arrow.

samara, a winged fruit.

sarcocarp, the fleshy layer in certain fruits.

scabrous or scabrid, rough to the touch.

scales, leaves much reduced in size, but having neither colour nor functions of leaves; also circular disc-like hairs.

scandent, climbing.

scape, a naked peduncle springing apparently from the root.

scarious, thin and more or less translucent, not green.

scorpioid inflorescence, a cymose compound inflorescence, in which, by the abortion of one of the branches in each of the successive subsidiary cymes, always on the same side, the inflorescence becomes curled up somewhat like a scorpion’s tail; e.g., Boraginaceæ.

-sect, cut completely to the base, e.g., pinnatisect when the lobes of a simple leaf are cut down to the midrib.

secund, when all the leaves or flowers are turned to the same side of the stem.

sepal, one of the leaves forming the calyx.

serrate, sawlike, applied to the teeth on the margin of a leaf, the point of which is sharp and the sides unequal.

serrulate, finely serrate.

sessile, having no stalk.

seta, a bristle.

setaceous or setose, bristly.

sheath, the dilated petiole of a leaf when it encloses the stem for some distance above the node, e.g., Grasses, some Umbelliferæ, etc.

shrub, a woody plant over 3 ft. high, which naturally branches into several stems from near the ground; a plant with a single stem, but too small to be classed as a tree is known as an arborescent shrub.

siliqua, a linear pod divided into 2 cells by a thin membranous partition, from which the valves generally separate at maturity. When the pod is short and broad it is called a silicule. Both are characteristic of the Cruciferæ.

simple, applied to a leaf means that it is not subdivided into leaflets, and to an inflorescence when the main floral axis only bears single flowers and not subsidiary inflorescences.

sinuate, or wavy when the margins of a leaf have a wavy outline, like an oak-leaf.

[12]sinus, the space between the teeth or lobes of a leaf.

spadix, a fleshy spike as in the Araceæ.

spathe, a sheath-like bract enclosing the flower of some Monocotyledons, e.g., in Araceæ.

spathulate, ladle-shaped, i.e., broad in the short upper part and contracted below.

spike, a simple inflorescence bearing sessile flowers along the axis.

spikelet, applied to the small clusters of flowers in Sedges and Grasses enclosed within one or more glumes.

spine, a woody persistent thorn.

spur, a conical hollow projection in the tube or lower part of a petal, e.g., in some Scrophulariaceæ and Orchidaceæ.

squamæ, see scales.

squarrose, applied to imbricated scales, bracts or leaves having pointed tips and which are also spreading or recurved.

stamen, the male organ of the flower.

staminode, imperfect and barren stamen.

standard, the large upper petal in Papilionaceæ.

stellate, applied to a corolla the petals or lobes of which spread out like the rays of a star; also to branched hairs radiating from a centre.

sterile or barren, applied to stamens without pollen and to flowers without a pistil.

stigma, the upper part of the pistil on which the pollen settles before fertilizing the ovules.

stipe, a term applied to a stalk on any part of the plant except leaves and flowers.

stipellæ or stipels, subsidiary stipules of leaflets.

stipitate, stalked.

stipule, leaf-like appendages, often in pairs and winged at the base of the petiole in certain plants; when taking the form of spines they are known as stipular thorns, e.g., Acacia arabica, etc.

stolon, a horizontal runner.

striate, marked with longitudinal lines or furrows.

strigose, applied to shortish hair lying close along the surface in one direction.

strobilate, closely overlapping as the scales in the cone of a fir.

style, the portion of the pistil which bears the stigma.

subsessile, almost sessile.

subulate, awl-shaped.

succulent, juicy, sappy.

sulcate, grooved, fluted, furrowed.

superior ovary, an ovary which is free, i.e., not adnate to the calyx or perianth.

suture, the line along which similar organs cohere, e.g., carpellary leaves.

syncarpous, applied to an ovary composed of several carpels cohering to one another.

[13]tendril, a thread-like process, usually an abortive petiole or peduncle, having the faculty of grasping and twining round objects and thus enabling the plant to climb.

terete, with a circular cross section, e.g., a cylinder.

ternate, in threes, whether three leaves in a verticil or 3 lobes or 3 leaflets of a leaf, but the last two are more commonly called tri-lobed or tri-fid and tri-foliolate respectively.

terrestrial, growing in the earth in contradistinction to epiphytes and tree-parasites.

tesselated, marked with small squares, e.g., nuts of some Sedges.

thorn, usually an abortive branch petiole or peduncle with a sharp, pointed end.

throat, the upper part of a corolla tube.

thyrsus, a compound inflorescence in which cymes, usually opposite, are arranged in a narrow pyramidal panicle.

tomentose, covered with light-coloured, short, soft and somewhat felted hairs (tomentum).

torulose, cylindrical with small swellings and depressions.

torus, see receptacle.

tree, a plant capable of carrying a single stem, up to about 25 ft. at least.

trigonous, obtusely 3-angled.

triquetrous, more sharply 3-angled, almost 3-winged.

truncate, ending abruptly, as if cut off square.

tuber, a short underground stem containing farinaceous matter, e.g., potato.

tubercled or tuberculate, covered with roundish knobby projections.

tumid, inflated, swollen.

turbinate, top-shaped.

umbel, an inflorescence in which the flowers radiate from a common point on stalks of about the same lengths.

umbellule, a subsidiary umbel in a compound umbel.

umbonate, with a boss as on a shield.

uncinate, hooked.

undershrub, a woody plant less than 3 ft. in height.

undulate, applied to margins of leaves which without being cut out rise and fall like waves.

unguiculate, clawed, applied to a stalked petal.

unisexual, of one sex only, applied to flowers which have stamens and no pistil or vice versa.

urceolate, urn-shaped.

utricle, the pericarp of a nut when it is thin and loose.

valvate, applied to the æstivation of a corolla means that in bud the petals or lobes are arranged edge to edge without overlapping.

valves, these are (a) the segments into which a capsule splits on becoming ripe; (b) the bracts between the glumes and the paleæ (or valvules) in the flowers of Grasses.

[14]valvules (or paleæ), 2-nerved, hyaline bracts situated between the valves (see above) and the lodicules.

ventricose, swelling or inflated.

verrucose, covered by wart-like lumps.

versatile, applied to anthers which are attached by one point on their backs to the tips of the filaments so as to swing loosely.

verticil, whorl.

villous, having long, soft hairs, shaggy.

virgate, twiggy.

viscous or viscid, giving out a sticky secretion.

vittæ, linear vesicles, filled with oil, in the pericarp of Umbelliferæ.

wavy, see undulate, also applied to sinuate.

whorl or verticil, 3 or more leaves or flowers arranged round a stem on the same level.

wing, (a) the prolongation of a fruit or seed into a membrane, (b) a thin membrane along the angle of a stem, (c) protuberances on the rhachilla of certain Sedges.

woolly, with long loose hairs like wool.

[15]CONSPECTUS OF PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF PLANTS AS ARRANGED IN THIS FLORA

[16]ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF DICOTYLEDONES REPRESENTED IN THIS FLORA.

(Extracted and adapted from Hutchinson, Families of Flowering Plants.)

KEY TO THE ARTIFICIAL GROUPS.[3]

[17]GROUP 1. Two or more free carpels; petals present, free from each other.

GROUP 2. Two or more free carpels; petals present, more or less united.

GROUP 3. Two or more free carpels; petals absent.

GROUP 4. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary superior; petals present, free from each other.

GROUP 5. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary superior; petals present, more or less united.

GROUP 6. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary superior; petals absent.

GROUP 7. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary inferior; petals present, free from each other.

GROUP 8. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary inferior; petals present, more or less united.

GROUP 9. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules on the walls of the ovary; ovary inferior; petals absent; leaves exstipulate; calyx unilateral or 3 lobed and often coloured.

Aristolochiaceæ

GROUP 10. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary superior; petals present, free from each other.

GROUP 11. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary superior; petals present, more or less united.

GROUP 12. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary superior; petals absent.

GROUP 13. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary inferior; petals present, free from each other.

[43]GROUP 14. One carpel or more than one united carpel; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary inferior; petals present, more or less united.

[44]GROUP 15. One carpel or more than one united carpels; ovules attached to the central axis or to the base or apex of the ovary cell; ovary inferior; petals absent.

[45]ARTIFICIAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF MONOCOTYLEDONES REPRESENTED IN THIS FLORA.

[48]GYMNOSPERMÆ

CYCADACEÆ.

1Encephalartos septentrionalis Schwfth. MURIEPAI—Zande; KOTTO—Krej & Indogo.

Palm-like undershrub; stem fusiform or globose; up to 2 ft. high. Leaves up to 5 ft. long, pinnate, pinnules up to 50 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, falcate, 4-5 in. long, with 3-8 teeth in basal half, densely tomentose on young fronds.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Golo; Deim Zubeir; Niamniam-land: Mambeli, Gumango Hill near the Rye, on the Ibba (Tonj) River, east of the upper Hoo; Bongo; Lessi River).

A kind of beer is made from the central portion of the stem.

GNETACEÆ.

2Ephedra Alte C. A. Mey.

Diœcious shrub, climbing or erect; branches more or less whorled on upper nodes. Leaves scale-like in whorls of 2-3, connate at base. Male spikes axillary, solitary or in dense glomerules. Fem. spikes solitary or fascicled.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).

[49]ANGIOSPERMÆ

DICOTYLEDONES

ANONACEÆ.

3Uvaria bukobensis Eng.

Small tree. Leaves oblong-elliptic, obtusely acuminate, up to 6 in. long, nearly glabrous. Flowers usually in pairs above the axils. Sepals and petals warted and shortly tomentose.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

U. Schweinfurthii Eng. & Diels.

Leaves oblong cordate at the base, subacutely acuminate, 3-4 in. long, with long weak hairs on the midrib. Flowers yellow, small. Petals ¾ in. long. Fruiting carpels oblong with 3 or 4 transverse constrictions, rusty-hairy.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ibba River near Nganye: Niamniam-land).

U. near U. Schweinfurthii Eng. & Diels. (small leaves).

Leaves oblong-lanceolate, rounded at the base, acute, 2-2½ in. long, ¾-1 in. broad, covered below with soft stellate hairs. Flowers very small; buds ovoid. Fruiting carpels oblong, with about 5 transverse constrictions, rusty-tomentose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Kuddu).

U. verrucosa Eng. & Diels.

Branchlets scurfy. Leaves oblong-elliptic, subcordate, 6 in. long, with numerous lateral nerves, closely stellate-tomentellous below; flowers not known. Fruiting carpels long stalked, warted.

Congo Border by the Kambele.

4Meiocarpidium lepidotum Eng. & Diels. WINGA—Jur.

Small to middle-sized tree. Leaves oblong, long-acuminate, up to 8 in. long, densely scaly below. Flowers covered with scales. Fruiting carpels terete.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Tonj).

5Hexalobus monopetalus Eng. & Diels. M’BANDA—Golo.

Tree; fruit said to be edible. Leaves oblong, up to 5 in. long. Flowers cream-coloured, sessile; 1-3 together, axillary; carpels 4-6.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas and Kutshuk Ali, Mittu-land: Mvolo, near Biri River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi & Bari countries).

H. grandiflorus Benth. BEJUGOLO & PORO—Golo.

Middle-sized tree, with handsome pendant cream-coloured petals. Leaves narrowly oval or oblanceolate, glabrous, carpels 10-12; ovary pilose.

[50]Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Niamniam-land, Mittu-land & Dar Fertit).

White wood used for carpentry.

6Popowia djurensis Eng. & Diels.

Scandent shrub. Leaves small, up to 2 in. long, obtuse, oblong. Flowers in shortly stalked axillary clusters.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Bongo-land & near Biri River).

P. Schweinfurthii Eng. & Diels.

Scandent shrub. Leaves up to 6 in. long, sub-acuminate. Flowers very small, axillary, in pairs on slender pedicels.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole River).

7Xylopia near oxypetala Eng. & Diels.

Leaves oblong-lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, 2-4 in. long, 1 in. broad, finely pubescent below. Flowers axillary, subsessile. Fruits tomentose, glabrous, whitish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Mbrwole River).

X. Vallotii Chipp. CHUWEI (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

A middle-sized, straight tree. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 2-2½ in. long, 1 in. broad, rounded at base. Fruiting carpels up to about 1 in. long.

Nuba Mountains Prov. (J. Eliri).

8Anona senegalensis Pers. KATEING (J. Eliri)—Nuba; APINROT—Dinka; AMBALU—Jur; BAFI, DU, NDU & NU—Golo; BOGORA—Zande.

Small tree; fruit up to size of a small orange, edible, nearly smooth. Flowers solitary, pedunculate. Leaves oblong-elliptical to broadly elliptical, pubescent above. Petals 6.

Upper Nile Prov.; Nuba Mountains Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau, Niamniam & Jur-land).

The fruit is edible; the boiled leaves are used as a perfume by Golo women. In Western Africa the whole plant is used in native medicine.

A. reticulata Linn. Bullock’s heart—Introduced.

Small tree. Leaves narrow oval-oblong. Flowers 2-4 together; petals 3. Fruit cordate or ovoid, faintly marked.

Khartoum Prov. (Khartoum North: Shambat).

A. squamosa Linn. Custard Apple—GISHTA—Arab; Introduced.

Shrub or small tree. Fruit ab. 2-3 in. across, green, marked with somewhat rhomboidal adnate scales; pulp white, seeds black. Petals 3.

Grown in gardens in many parts of the country.

A. Cherimolla Mill. Cherimoyer. Introduced.

Shrub. Leaves acute to nearly obtuse. Flowers solitary or in pairs; petals 3. Fruit sub-ovoid-cordate with obtusely tubercled areoles.

Khartoum Prov. (Khartoum North: Shambat).

The best of the Anonas.

9[51]Monodora sp. nov.

A fine foliage tree 20 ft. Leaves oblong-elliptic, obtuse, cordate at the base, 10-12 in. long, with numerous lateral nerves; flowers not known, but probably handsome and mottled.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

RANUNCULACEÆ.

10Clematis inciso-dentata Hochst. SHADDEIP—Hadendowa.

Woody climber. Leaves variable, pinnately or ternately divided. Flowers in terminal or axillary panicles. Sepals petaloid, white, hairy inside; petals 0. Fruiting head of silky white achenes.

Red Sea Province (Erkowit); Nuba Mountains Prov. (Khor Abu Habl, Dilling).

C. glaucescens Fresen.

Weak woody climber. Leaves ternately divided, softly hairy below. Flowers in short terminal and axillary panicles. Sepals very silky. Fruiting heads with silky achenes shortly tailed.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Doguddu & Sabbi). Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

C. cf. C. glaucescens Fresen.

As above, but much longer tails to the achenes.

C. simensis Fresen.

Woody climber. Leaves pinnatisect; leaflets 1-5, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, crenate-serrate. Panicles many flowered. Flowers white, ¾ in. diam.; sepals short silky within. Carpels hairy; tails 1 in. or more.

White Nile Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme & Jebel Marra; up to 9,500 ft.).

C. grata Wall.

Climber. Leaves pinnatisect; leaflets 3-7, ovate, rounded or cordate at base, broadly crenate, silky or pubescent beneath. Flowers ¾ in. in diam.; sepals nearly glabrous inside.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

11Clematopsis Oliveri Hutchinson.

Erect semi-woody plant. Upper leaves usually 3-fol., lower often 1-fol.; leaflets obovate to linear-oblong. Flowers white, solitary; petals 0. Achenes silky with long plumose tails.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

12Ranunculus pubescens Thunb.

Herb. Stems erect 1-2 ft. high. Lowest pinnæ usually petiolulate, lobes 3-fid or 3-partite; uppermost leaves sessile, 3-fid or rarely entire. Petals 5, yellow.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 6,000 to 9,000 ft. Kulme).

13Nigella sativa Linn.

Erect herb. Sepals petaloid, blue; carpels connected together in the middle, diverging above into 5 points.

Darfur Prov. (Melit & Jebel Marra, 6,500 ft.).

[52]CERATOPHYLLACEÆ.

14Ceratophyllum demersum Linn.

Sea-weed-like aquatic herb with verticils of 2-fid or dichotomously divided and toothed leaves. Flowers axillary, monœcious, minute.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (several places); Sobat River; Bahr El Jebel (Mouth); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (above the mouth of the Jur River, etc.).

C. spp.

White Nile Prov.; Sobat River; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.

NYMPHÆACEÆ (Water lilies).

15Nymphæa micrantha Guill. & Perr.

Aquatic herb with broadly ovate sagittate leaves and hairy bulbil at the apex of the petiole. Flowers about 2½ in. long. Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Kulongo).

N. nubica Lehm.

Aquatic herb with large almost orbicular peltate leaves with undulate margins. Flowers about 4 in. long.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

N. cærulea Savign. SUTEIB—Arab; TWAL—Nuer.

Aquatic herb. Leaves ovate-orbicular, very deeply cordate at the base, glabrous, about 5 in. long. Flowers 2½ in. long, bluish. Sepals lanceolate, subacute, lined with red.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: between Reggo & Kiro).

var. Schweinfurthiana Gilg & Muschl.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek, near Nuer villages).

var. Rehneltiana Gilg & Muschl.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas & Aggadi, & Bongo-land; Balu Stream near Sabbi, Shambé); Upper White Nile Prov. (Tonga); Darfur Prov. (Zalingei); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

N. cf. N. cærulea Sav.

As preceding, but leaves more widely cordate and with undulate margins and inconspicuous nerves.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

N. Lotus Linn. SUTEIB—Arab; RUNGAIME—Zande.

Leaves shortly peltate and deeply cordate at the base, coarsely toothed and nervose below, shortly pubescent; flowers yellowish; stamens not produced into an appendage beyond the anther cells.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Addai, Mittu-land, Niamniam-land, Kero, Lake No).

The powdered root is used for piles, dysentery, and dyspepsia; the seeds are used in skin diseases, leprosy, etc.

[53]MENISPERMACEÆ.

16Tinospora Bakis Miers. ERG EL HAGGAR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Woody climber with thick fleshy bark. Leaves cordate, entire, glabrous. Racemes axillary or at end of lateral shoots. Flowers small diœcious, solitary or fascicled in the axils of minute bracts.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov. (Wadi El Ain, J. Kōn, J. Tellele, Daragaza).

17Desmonema mucronulatum Eng.

Climber. Leaves rhomboid sub-cordate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: J. Baginze).

18Chasmanthera dependens Hochst.

Climber. Leaves rotundate ovate, more or less lobed; inflor. in pendent racemes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dinka-land: Lau, Jur-land: Wau, & Kutshuk Ali).

19Cocculus Leæba DC. ZEGAI or ZEGAIN (Kordn.)—Arab.

Woody climber with red berries. Leaves alternate, oblong, ½ to 1 in. long. Flowers green, diœcious, small. Male flowers in axillary panicles; sepals, petals and stamens 6 respectively. Female flower solitary or in pairs on axillary peduncles; style 3-armed.

Red Sea Prov. (Port Sudan to Soturba); Berber Prov. (Atbara); Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

Used in native medicine in various parts of the world for intermittent fevers. It contains two alkaloids and is similar to the official Pareira Brava in properties.

C. Holopeira-torrida Miers. GUMALI (Fung)—Arab; LELINGA—Bari.

Pubescent, woody climber. Leaves sometimes very variable, from hastate-lanceolate to deltoid rotundate, or hastately 3-7 lobed. Male flowers fascicled, sessile or nearly so. Female flowers fascicled or solitary, subsessile.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bahr El Jebel: Bor Mission, Malik).

In Dar-Fung the pounded stem is given with Durra to donkeys for cough.

20Cissampelos Pareira Linn. DERE—Golo.

Climber with reniform-cordate leaves. Flowers diœcious. Male flowers in axillary, usually branched racemes, tetramerous; petals connate into a 4-lobed cup; stamens monadelphous. Female flowers in long, usually simple racemes, with numerous broad foliaceous bracts.

Fung, & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

The Golo women wear the plant round their necks to bring luck. In India it is used as a mild tonic and diuretic.

[54]C. mucronata A. Rich.

Climber with broadly ovate leaves widely cordate at the base and a little peltate, laxly pubescent below. Male flowers in rather short cymes.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli & Jongol’s Post).

C. rigidifolia Eng.

Climber with very broadly ovate peltate leaves about 3 in. long, softly tomentose below; male flowers in long slender racemes of umbels.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ibba River, near Nganye, Nabambisso River in Niamniam-land).

21Stephania abyssinica Rich.

Wiry climber with small broadly ovate leaves peltate and rounded at the base, glaucous and strongly reticulate, glabrous; flowers small in axillary cymes.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

ARISTOLOCHIACEÆ.

22Aristolochia bracteata Retz. ABU- and UM-GALAGEL (or ABJALAJEL), ERG EL AKRAB (or AGRAB), UM GEREISAT—Arab; LEJIR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka; KĀWKAWL (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Trailing, glaucous herb, glabrous except inside the perianth. Leaves alt., ovate-subcordate, ¾ in.-2 in. long, crenulate-undulate. Flowers solitary, axillary; bracts cordate, about ½ in. long; per. tube green, yellow inside, with short reflexed hair, dilated and globose at base, tubular above, about ½ in. long; limb maroon-coloured, unilateral, ligulate, 1 in. long; st. 6; styles 6. Caps. subglobose, about ½ in. diam.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Sinkat, J. Waratab); Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb); Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Wad Shallai, Salati, J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Taiara to J. Eliri); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel.

The whole plant is very bitter and is said to have anthelmentic and purgative properties. A portion made of pounded roots and water is used to calm abdominal pains. The leaves and roots are also used as a cure for boils and guinea-worm. It is believed to be an antidote to snake-poison and scorpion bites; the Sudanese wear the plant as a charm to avert scorpion stings, and also rub the charred roots on the site of the sting.

A. bongoensis Engl.

Glaucous twining herb. Leaves cordate, obtuse about 1½ in. long and wide; basal nerves about 8; pet. 1 in. long. Infl. elongated; bracts cordate-ovate, amplexicaul. Flowers not known. Caps. obovoid, about 2 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: near Sabbi).

23[55]Pararistolochia triactina Hutch. & J. M. Dalz.

Aristolochia triactina Hook. f.

Woody climber; stem smooth, shining. Leaves deeply cordate, entire to 3- or obscurely 5-lobed, ¾ in. long and wide; pet. 1-4 in. long. Flowers in short axillary racemes; per.: lower part obliquely ovoid, 1½ in. long, tube curved, 2 in. long, ½ in. diam., ciliate at throat, lobes 3, sub-equal, patent, triangular-caudate, 2 in. long, anthers and stigmas 10. Fruit about 1 ft. long and 1½ in. diam.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

HYDNORACEÆ.

24Hydnora sp. TARTŪS—Arab.

Parasitic, fungus-like plant with a fleshy, warted, subterranean rhizome. Flowers large evil-smelling.

Kassala, Blue Nile & Fung Provinces.

Parasitic on roots of Acacia sp. The rhizomes contain a large percentage of tannin and are used medicinally as an astringent in dysentery and also for tanning skins.

PIPERACEÆ.

25Piper umbellatum Linn.

Erect shrub, 4-5 ft. high; branches jointed at the nodes. Leaves reniform, 3-12 in. across, cuspidate, deeply cordate, basal nerves 11-13; pet. sheathing at base. Umbels of 2-7 spikes on short axillary peduncles. Flowers minute 2-sexual; per. 0; stamens about 3; stigmas 3; fr. trigonous; bracts suborbicular, ciliate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: near Nakofo River).

P. guineense Schum. & Thonn.

Stout woody creeper, climbing by means of densely hairy adventitious rootlets. Leaves ovate, acuminate, cordate to cuneate, 4-5 in. long, glabrous except under the nerves; petals up to ¾ in. Spikes solitary, leaf-opposed, in fruit up to 4 in. long; bracts rotundate, peltate; per. 0; stigmas 3. Fr. globose, mucronate, about ⅙ in. diam.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Deim Guju, Niamniam-land: Rivers Boddo, Atasilli & Kalensho).

P. capense Linn. f. ADURAKA—Zande.

Erect or climbing shrub; branches swollen at the nodes. Leaves ovate, shortly acuminate, about 4 in. long, base cordate or rounded, pellucid-dotted, 5-7 nerved, villous beneath on nerves; petals about 1 in. long. Catkins at end of short lateral branches appearing to spring from middle of petiole, about 2 in. long; peduncles about ¾ in. long; bracts peltate; per. 0; stamens 2-3, anther-cells with wide connective stigmas 2, recurved. Fr. obtuse, compressed, sessile.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

26[56]Peperomia knoblecheriana Schott.

Succulent glabrous annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves, except 2 lowest, alternate, rotundate-ovate, ⅛ in. long, subcordate. Spikes solitary and terminal, lax, ¼ in. long; flowers 8-12; per. 0; stamens 2. Berry subglobose, minute, blackish.

Banks of the Bahr El Jebel (5°-7° Lat. N.).

PAPAVERACEÆ.

27Argemone mexicana Linn.

Herb; leaves prickly; flowers yellow. Capsule with 4-7 placentas, dehiscing at apex into short valves.

Red Sea Prov.; Khartoum Prov.

Introduced.

The seeds are acrid and possess emetic and cathartic properties, they are poisonous in large doses. They yield an oil which has been suggested for use in soap-making and as an illuminant, and which has been classed as a drying oil.

FUMARIACEÆ.

28Fumaria officinalis Linn.

Pale, weak annual, with white, rose or purple flowers. Leaves much divided.

White Nile Prov. (probably introduced).

TURNERACEÆ.

29Wormskioldia lobata Urban.

Herb, 18 in.; stems not bristly. Flowers dilute yellow. Petals clawed. Stamens 5, unequal. Capsule linear, almost moniliform. Seeds pitted.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bahr El Jebel).

W. pilosa Schwfth.—W. heterophylla Sch. & Thonn.

Stout herb; stems with numerous purplish bristles. Leaves alternate, 4-5 in. long, lanceolate, toothed or pinnately lobed. Peduncles axillary, about 5-flowered. Flowers yellow. Petals clawed. Stamens 5, unequal. Capsule moniliform.

Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

CAPPARIDACEÆ.

30Cleome chrysantha Dec. SAFEIRA, ASIN (Dongola)—Arab.

Herb, up to 18 in. high. Leaves simple, oblong to rotundate-ovate. Flowers in axils of upper leaves; stamens 10-14. Capsule oval-oblong, about ¼ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.); Halfa Prov.; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Berber Desert & Wadi Aros).

[57]C. scaposa DC.

Hispid herb; flowers small. Leaves simple ovate to orbicular or cordate. Stamens 6. Capsule linear, up to 1½ in. long. Seeds minutely pitted.

Nubia (between Suakin & Berber at Wadi Omarig); Red Sea Prov. (sea coast 22° Lat. N., J. Waratab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Khartoum Prov. (J. Royan).

C. monophylla Linn. LISAN EL TEIR (Meshra El Zeraf—Arab; AKIA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Erect herb, up to 2 ft. high. Flowers deep violet; pod on short gynophore, linear, cylindrical, straight. Leaves simple, lanceolate. Stamens 6.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza and J. Kurbaj); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé); Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

C. arabica Linn.

Erect scabrous herb; leaves 3-foliolate. Racemes leafy; stamens 5-6. Capsule linear-oval, pendulous.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov.; throughout Libya and the Sudan.

C. tenella Linn. f.

Glabrous herb, 1-2 ft. high; leaves 3-fol., leaflets filiform. Stamens 6.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov.

C. brachycarpa Vahl. ABULIKEITA (N. Kordn.)—Arab; BERBA’A (Port Sudan), & BERBERAN—Hadendowa.

Low herb, 4-8 in. high; leaves 1-5 fol. Stamens 6 (one sometimes imperfect). Capsule elliptical, about ¼ in. long.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.: at Ras Renai, near Saltpans); Kordofan Prov. (at Helba & Hadfia).

C. viscosa Linn. RIHAN (Meshra El Zeraf), KOWAL (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Glandular pubescent herb, 1-2 ft. high; leaves 3-5 fol. Flowers yellow. Pod without gynophore, linear, cylindrical.

Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Darfur Prov. (Barkin)

The seeds are used for removing impurities from the eyes. (Similar to No. 37 below.)

C. polyanthera Schwfth. & Gilg.

A slender branched herb with digitate leaves and 3 linear leaflets. Flowers pink or white in lax racemes on very slender pedicels. Fruits linear, stipitate, 2 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Jur-land: Gir and between Agada & Kutshuk Ali).

C. niamniamensis Schwfth. & Gilg.

Similar to above but dwarfer. Flowers subsolitary and fruits only ½ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Gumango Hills on gneiss).

[58]C. paradoxa R. Br. NA’ANAA & MUFRAK EL ROWAIR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Erect shrubby plant, 2-3 ft. high; leaves 3-6 fol.; corolla bright yellow or rose. Capsule linear, 4 in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat & 21° N. Lat.); Kassala Prov. (J. Erimbat, Goz Regeb); Between Suakin & Berber; Kordofan Prov.

C. diandra Burch.

Glabrous or thin-glandular herb; leaves 3, 5 or 7 fol.; leaflets narrow. Perfect stamens 2. Capsule narrow linear, 2-3 in. long.

Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

C. Hanburyana Penzig.

A rank herb; stems covered with gland-tipped hairs; leaflets 5, glabrescent, gradually changing into bracts: flowers pink, racemose-corymbose. Fruits 3½ in. long, glandular-puberulous.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).

C. cf. C. Hanburyana Penzig.

Similar to above but much more pubescent.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).

31Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. TAMALEIKA—Arab; AKAKI—Dinka; KURE—Zande.

Erect herb; leaves 5-fol.; flowers white or purplish; stamens long, inserted on the gynophore. Pod linear, slightly curved, 2-3 in. long.

Berber, Bahr el Ghazal, Khartoum, Kassala, Red Sea, Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.

The seeds are anthelmintic, and together with the leaves, are used in native medicine. The plant is also eaten as a vegetable.

32Dipterygium glaucum Dec. SAFEIRA—Arab; WAKERIS-HAQ—Hadendowa; ZEIBUG—Rashida.

Shrubby herb. Leaves small, oblong or ovate; capsule elliptical, with a membranous wing, 1-seeded, strongly reticulate.

Nubia; Berber Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber; Kassala Prov.

A camel fodder plant.

33Cratæva Adansonii DC. DABKAR & UM BUKHEISA—Arab; KLIEH (J. Eliri) & BURURU (Kadugli)—Nuba; TIFTA—Bari; BIUT (Renk), KAI (Kaka), KAT, KAIT, KIT or KOG (Mongalla)—Dinka; ABUDEH—Shilluk; AGAILI—Hameg; KÄICH—Nuer.

Small to large tree. Leaves 3-fol.; flowers white, scented, with long purple stamens. Fruit a globose berry, about 2 in. in diameter, on thickened gynophore.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Birket Kolli); Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Arab; Generally distributed south of Lat. 14° N.

[59]The fruit is edible; the bark and the leaves are used medicinally. The tree occasionally attains a large size, e.g., Jonglay, Atem River. The wood is moderately hard, even grained, but not very durable. The medullary rays are thin and very numerous, the pores being uniform, rather small, arranged in short lines and curves.

34Capparis spinosa Linn. LASSAF—Arab.

Trailing shrub. Leaves coriaceous, rotundate; stipular spines recurved or nearly straight. Flowers 1-3 in. across, axillary, solitary or in loose lateral racemes, white. Frui. oval, oblong, on a strong gynophore.

Kordofan Prov.

The buds furnish the edible capers of commerce.

C. galeata Fres. LASAF—Arab.

Spinose trailing shrub. Leaves ovate to rotundate with curved mucro. Flowers large axillary, solitary. Fruit clavate-pyriform 3-4 in. long on a stalk up to 2 in. long.

Nubia: Red Sea Prov. (J. Hotarber, 22° N. Lat. & 21° N. Lat., and near Sinkat, from sea level to 4,000 ft.).

C. tomentosa Lam. HEKKABIT, MURDU, SHAROBA, or GULUM—Arab; KUBDI (Dilling)—Nuba; LULUMEH—Bari; BAN or ABBAN, BORID (Kaka & Kenissa)—Dinka; BUT—Shilluk; UNGONO—Jur; MANGAMANGA—Golo.

Scandent prickly shrub with velvety elliptical leaves. Flowers white with indefinite pink stamens, solitary and axillary or in terminal racemes or corymbs.

Widely distributed south of Lat. 15° N. and in the Red Sea Prov.

The shrub is stated to be poisonous to camels.

C. persicifolia A. Rich.

Scandent prickly shrub; prickles paired on each side of the petiole. Leaves oblong-elliptic, about 2 in. long, obtuse, nearly glabrous; pedicels 1 in. long. Fruit ellipsoid, 1 in. long, stipitate.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: near the Gash River); Berber Prov. (Atbara, left bank); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: by the River Rohl, & Niamniam-land: by the River Ibba).

C. micrantha A. Rich.

Prickly, straggling shrub. Flowers small, white, sub-corymbose. Leaves oblong-lanceolate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek, Shambé); Mongalla Prov. (at 4° 54″ N. Lat.).

C. corymbosa Lam.

Prickly, scrambling shrub. Leaves ovate or elliptical. Flowers in lateral or terminal corymbs or fascicles.

Fung Prov. (Saoleil, etc.); White Nile Prov. (El Dueim); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling).

[60]C. djurica Gilg & Ben.

Shrub with densely pilose branches. Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, about 1¼ in. long and about ½ in. broad, emarginate. Flowers in rather dense racemes. Sepals glabrous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

C. jodotricha Gilg & Ben.

Climbing shrub; young branches tomentose; spines large, recurved. Leaves ovate, 2 in. long, 1¼ in. broad, at first densely pilose, at length glabrous. Flowers in fascicles, crowded. Sepals tomentose outside.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).

C. Rothii Oliv. MURDU (Baggara), & SH’AIBEIT (Fung)—Arab; MUARTA (Dilling)—Nuba; RIADI—Bari; RIAT (Bor)—Dinka.

Thorny climber or small tree. Leaves elliptic-oblong, often emarginate. Flowers white, in axillary fascicles, up to 6 flowers. Fruit globose, somewhat pointed, about 1 in. across, turning red when ripe.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok, Renk, Melut); Mongalla Prov.

C. erythrocarpa Isert.

Thorny climber. Fruit scarlet, hexagonal, about size of a walnut. Leaves elliptical, obtuse. Flowers axillary, solitary, 2 in. across.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Kuddu, Bongo-land: Baiko).

C. aphylla Roth.

C. decidua Pax. TUNDUB—Arab; SAROP—Hadendowa; KAMRE (J. Daier), & SHIMEIL (Dilling)—Nuba; NANGOT—Shilluk.

Shrub or small tree, spiny and generally leafless. Flowers pink; fruit size of a small cherry.

Widely distributed north of Lat. 13° N., also occurs in Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

The fruit (Arabic, HUNBUG) is edible, the plant is considered useful for boils, eruptions, swelling and affections of the joints.

35Boscia octandra Hochst. MOKHEIT & UMKHEIT (Darfur)—Arab; FOG (Renk)—Dinka; ATOKA—Golo; DEB (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer; ARAY—Jur.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves more or less oval, thick and dark coloured; flowers sub-umbellate or racemose, sweet scented. Fruit globose under ½ in. diameter. Stamens 8-20. Widely distributed south of Lat. 16° N.

The fruit, called KURSAN by Arabs, is edible; an emulsion of the leaves is used as an eyewash.

B. angustifolia A. Rich. TIRLING (J. Daier)—Nuba.

Tree or shrub. Flowers greenish, fragrant. Leaves[61] coriaceous, narrow, lanceolate, oblong or obovate. Fruit globose, under ½ in. diameter. Stamens 6-9.

Kordofan Prov.; Whole Sudan through Kordofan.

B. firma Rad.

Woody shrub with crowded fasciculate, narrowly oblong elliptic leaves, 1½ in. long, ½ in. broad, very strongly reticulate below. Racemes very short. Fruits sub-globose, very small.

Fung & Kordofan Provinces.

B. salicifolia Oliv. SAHAI (Kordn.), TILEITILLA (N. Kordn.), KARAUERAU (Baggara), & SESIFAN (Fung)—Arab; KOLWAKAI (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Shrub or a straight, graceful tree. Leaves elongate-linear or lanceolate, 2-5 in. long. Flowers in axillary racemes; stamens 6-14. Fruit ellipsoid-globose, ¾ in. long, shortly stipitate.

Fung, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

36Courbonia virgata A. Brongn. KARKADAN (Mongalla), KURDAN (Baggara)—Arab; DAYA—Bari; ABRO—Golo.

Glabrous, glaucous shrub or undershrub, with leafy, virgate branches; flowers axillary, solitary; petals 0. Leaves glaucous, elliptical to ovate. Fruit globose, about 1 in. diameter.

Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov.; Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

The ashes of leaves and stem are used as a substitute for salt. Fruit edible.

C. decumbens A. Brongn.

Bush. Leaves glaucous, ovate, faintly 3-nerved, 1¼ in. long, mucronate. Flowers axillary, solitary. Fruit sub-globose, 1¼ in. long, beaked.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi Plains).

37Cadaba glandulosa Forsk. IRKIS (White Nile), KURMUT SOGHEIR—Arab.

Undershrub. Leaves small, round, closely packed on the branches. Racemes terminal, few-flowered. Petals none; petaloid appendix ligulate. Stamens 5. Fruit oblong, ½ in. long, on a gynophore.

Red Sea Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

C. rotundifolia Forsk. KURMUT, or rarely ADDIMIR (Blue Nile)—Arab; YAM—Hadendowa; KOG (Renk)—Dinka.

Shrub. Leaves orbicular. Flowers in terminal racemes. Sepals 2; petals, 2 green and a yellow tubular nectary; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled.

Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Upper White Nile Prov.

The plant is said to be a powerful purgative.

[62]C. farinosa Forsk. SURREIH or SURRAYA (Fung)—Arab; NIADA—Bari; BUT (Renk), & ANEIT or NEIT (Mongalla Prov.)—Dinka.

Undershrub or scrambling climber. Fruit slightly torulose; seeds covered by bright orange inner membrane of capsule. Leaves oval-oblong, apiculate, mostly in fascicles. Flowers greenish; sepals 4; petals 4; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled.

Red Sea, Kassala, Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Upper White Nile & Darfur Provinces.

C. longifolia DC.

Glabrous shrub, or extremities mealy. Leaves linear-oblong or lanceolate. Flowers in terminal corymbs; petals 4; appendix linear-lanceolate, as long as sepals; stamens 4.

Red Sea Coast; North of Kassala.

38Maerua jasminifolia Gilg & Ben. BUDU—Bari.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves 3-fol., fruit globose.

Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé).

M. variifolia Gilg. & Ben.

Shrub; branchlets softly pubescent. Leaves elliptic, mucronate, 1½ in. long, slightly pubescent. Flowers sub-corymbose; pedicels ¾ in. long; petals small with crinkled margins. Fruits torulose, about 1 in. long.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Mongalla Prov.

M. crassifolia Forsk. SAREH, SARHA or SURRAKH (Berber), KOWOGE (Baggara)—Arab; KAMOP (Port Sudan)—Hadendowa; TUMBU (Kadugli)—Nuba.

Stiff tree or shrub with spinose branches. Leaves small, up to ¾ in. long, obovate to linear-oval. Flowers axillary, 1-3 together; petals 0; stamens indefinite. Fruit torulose.

Red Sea Prov. (from sea level to 4,000 ft.); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bara & Abu Gamaiz); Darfur Prov.

M. aethiopica Oliv. BAK BELE—Golo.

Erect, virgate shrub. Leaves oblong to elliptical. Flowers corymbose; petals 4, rotundate; stamens indefinite. Fruit coriaceous, subglobose.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Kutshuk Ali, Jur Ghattas & Jur Aweit, Bongo-land, Gir).

M. angolensis DC. MARI (Khasa, Red Sea Prov.), RAU ER AU (Kordofan at Birket), SHAGAR EL ZERAF (Kordn.), & SHAGAR EL DUD (Fung)—Arab; DOGHING (J. Daier)—Nuba; SHALEIB (Erkowit)—Hadendowa; AFIAT (Renk)—Dinka; TIIT (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer.

Small tree. Flowers white. Fruit moniliform. Leaves lanceolate to obovate.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Has Has); Kassala Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein & near Nyemati); Upper White Nile Prov. (Ghurab El Eish, near Melut, Um Songur,[63] etc.); Kordofan (El Birkat); Darfur (Jebel Marra, Kallokitting 4,000 ft.).

Wood yellowish, heavy, hard and fine grained, but brittle; takes a good polish.

M. dolichobotrya Gilg & Ben.

Woody shrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, about 2 in. long, ⅓ in. broad, glabrous. Flowers in elongated leafy racemes. Petals shortly clawed, rather thick.

White Nile Prov.

M. oblongifolia A. Rich. ERG EL MEHABBA (White Nile), ASS’AIB (Atbara), SURREIH (Fung), ABU TAMARA (C. Kordn.), ALAG & SIRH (Khartoum)—Arab; KAFITO & NIETEH—Bari; BUN—Burun; ANEIT (Goz el Siada)—Dinka.

Straggling shrub. Leaves linear-oblong, calyx pale green, 4 sepals; petals 4, whitish green, stamens indefinite; gynophore white. Fruit about 1 in. long, very torulose or moniliform.

Red Sea Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber (J. Langeb); Berber Prov. (Atbara); Khartoum & White Nile Provinces; Most parts of the Sudan south of Khartoum.

Fruit edible.

MORINGACEÆ.

39Moringa aptera Gaertn. MAI—Arab.

Moderate to small-sized tree with whip-like branches and scanty, minute leaves. Flowers pink. Fruit capsules ridged, about 1 ft. long; seeds not winged.

Red Sea Prov. (rare).

M. pterygosperma Gaertn.

Small tree with corky bark. Leaves usually tripinnate. Flowers strongly scented; petals white with yellow dots at base. Pods up to 13 in. long, slender, 9-ribbed. Seeds winged.

Introduced from India. Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bareis); Darfur Prov., etc.

The seeds yield the Ben Oil.

CRUCIFERÆ.

40Matthiola elliptica R. Br.

Herb with a white flower, like a small Stock. Leaves petiolate, elliptic, hoary; pod siliquose, rather thick.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Ashat, and 21° N. from sea level to 3-4,000 ft.); White Nile Prov.

M. sp.

Hoary herb with subsessile, lanceolate toothed leaves, about 1 in. long; hairs stellate. Pods subsessile, very hairy.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib).

41[64]Nasturtium indicum Linn. FIKKI (Darfur)—Arab.

Glabrous branching herb. Leaves sessile, lyrate-pinnatifid, auricled. Flowers yellow, small in lax racemes. Siliqua nearly ¾ in., cylindrical.

Dongola Prov. (Argo Island); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.

42Morettia Philæana DC. TAGHAL (Atbara), SAGGAR—Arab.

Stiff, erect, hispid herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, hoary or hispid. Petals slightly longer than the very hairy sepals. Fruits strongly curved, ⅓ in. long.

Wadi Halfa; Berber Prov. (Atbara, Murat); Dongola Prov. (Omdi); Kordofan Prov. (Maties).

Good camel fodder.

M. canescens Boiss.

A stiff herb covered with whitish stellate hairs. Leaves elliptic, subacute, petiolate. Fruits ribbed, slightly curved, ½ in. long, stellate-pubescent.

Near Wadi Halfa.

43Anastatica Hierochuntica Linn.

Woody herb. Fruit short, with a round auricle on each side of the apex.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.).

The common Rose of Jericho of the Mediterranean.

44Farsetia ægyptiaca Turr. DAHAIAN (Atbara), GHARBA—Arab.

Shrubby; flowers white; siliquas small, oval. Leaves linear, hoary.

Nubia; Between Goz Regeb & Kassala; Red Sea Prov. (near Karora).

F. longisiliqua Dec. DAKHEYAN (N. Kordn.), & DAHAIAN (C. Kordn.)—Arab.

Hoary undershrub. Leaves narrow-linear. Flowers in spicate racemes, rather distant. Siliqua linear, slightly curved, hoary, 1 in. long.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (J. Kurbaj); Darfur Prov. (Kulme, & Sherif Kabbashi); Red Sea Prov. (near Karora).

F. grandiflora Fourn. UMHABEIBA (White Nile)—Arab.

Slender, erect, pale annual. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 1-3 in. long. Siliqua linear 1-2 in. long.

White Nile & Upper White Nile Provinces (Hillet Abbas to Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.

F. ramosissima Hochst.

Branching herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate. Flowers densely spicate. Siliqua short.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., up to 4,000 ft.); Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Khursi); Darfur Prov. (Plains below J. Marra, 3,000 ft.).

45[65]Sisymbrium erysimoides Desf.

Herb, 1-3 ft. high. Upper leaves lyrate pinnatisect. Siliquas divergent, rigid, linear-subulate.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 4,000 ft.).

46Diplotaxis erucoides DC.

Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Lower leaves lyrate-pinnatifid or obovate-toothed. Flowers white or purplish on ebracteate racemes. Siliqua 1 in. long, ascending. Seeds biseriate.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Karora).

47Eruca sativa Lam. GARGUIR (Egypt)—Arab.

Erect branching herb. Leaves lyrate to oblanceolate, more or less deeply toothed. Flowers white or yellow on ebracteate racemes. Siliqua linear-oblong, turgid erect, beaked. Seeds biseriate.

Nubia cultivated.

The seeds yield an oil similar to Colza. The leaves are used as a salad, and are also fed to cattle.

48Schouwia arabica DC. MAHAD, NAMNAM (Egypt)—Arab.

Tall shrubby herb with ovate amplexicaul leaves and purple flowers. Siliqua elliptical, about ¾ in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gash Valley).

49Lepidium sativum Linn. Common Cress.

Glabrous annual. Leaves entire to pinnatisect. Flowers white. Siliqua obovate to nearly rotundate, emarginate.

Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.

The young plants are eaten. The seeds yield an oil; they are also used in dysentery and diarrhœa.

50Senebiera nilotica DC. RASHAD (Port Sudan), HARRA—Arab.

Riverside herb with small white flowers. Radical leaves linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate pinnatisect. Silicules cordate-reniform.

North Sudan; Banks of the Nile; Red Sea. Prov.

51Enarthrocarpus lyratus DC. RESHAD EL BAHR, SHILTEM, SHIRTEM, & SHILTAM—Arab.

Herb; flowers yellow, streaked with purple. Radical leaves lyrate-pinnatifid. Siliquas nodulose, obtusely acuminate.

Dongola Prov. (from Egypt).

E. pterocarpus DC.

Herb, scabrid below. Leaves lyrate-pinnatifid. Siliquas erect, linear-acuminate, with winged scabrid margins.

Nubia.

52Zilla myagroides Forsk. var. microcarpa Oliv.

Shrubby, spiny herb, the spines terminating the branches. Flowers white or violet, solitary or racemose, silicules ovoid, beaked.

Red Sea Prov., & Nubia.

53Raphanus sativus Linn. FIGL—Arab. Horse Radish.

Radical leaves lyrate. Flowers white, yellow or lilac.[66] Siliqua 1-2 in. long, terete, beaked.

Cultivated everywhere.

The seeds, which yield an oil, are used in native medicine for their diuretic and laxative properties. The seed pods as well as the roots are eaten.

VIOLACEÆ.

54Viola nubica Hutchinson, n. sp.

Small annual, 4 in. high. Leaves long-petiolate, spathulate-lanceolate, acute, 1¼ in. long, nearly ½ in. broad, very thin, subentire, glabrous; stipules subulate-filiform, entire, 2-lin. long; sepals broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate; petals ⅓ in. long; spur short and blunt. Capsule ¼ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).

55Hybanthus enneaspermus Muell.—Ionidium enneaspermum Vent.

Erect or decumbent, much-branched herb, up to 2 ft. high. Flowers blue, purple or dull red, solitary, axillary.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.

56Rinorea ilicifolia O. Ktze.—Alsodeia ilicifolia Welw.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves strongly spinulose-serrate, coriaceous shining above, 6-9 in. long. Flowers yellow, in narrow terminal, racemose panicles. Capsule 3-valved, coriaceous.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

R. oblongifolia Marq.

Large tree, buttressed at the foot. Flowers waxy-yellow, in terminal, many-flowered corymbose or pyramidal panicles. Leaves oblanceolate or obovate-oblong, 4-8 in. long. Petals contorted.

Niamniam-land (Mbrwole, near the Yuru River & by the Diagbe River).

RESEDACEÆ.

57Caylusea canescens St. Hil. MUDDEYD & DENABA—Arab.

Diffuse or ascending herb, more or less pilose. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, undulate. Flowers small, in terminal bracteate racemes.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Khor Tamanib & J. Shellal, 22° N. Lat.).

C. abyssinica Fisch. & Mey.

Erect herb, up to 3 ft. high, glabrous or thinly scabrid near the extremities. Leaves entire or 3-partite, linear-lanceolate or linear. Flowers small, numerous on terminal, spike-like racemes up to 1 ft. and more long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 4,000 ft.).

58[67]Reseda pruinosa Del.

Erect or ascending herb, 1 ft. or more high. Leaves entire or trifid, narrow-lanceolate or oval. Flowers in terminal, bracteate racemes.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 3-4,000 ft.).

59Oligomeris glaucescens Camb.

Erect or decumbent herb, usually glabrous and glaucous. Leaves entire, linear, fasciculate or scattered. Flowers small in loose, elongate terminal spikes.

Red Sea, Dongola & Kordofan Provinces.

60Ochradenus baccatus Del. GURDI—Arab.

Much branched shrub, with virgate branches, which are often spinescent and at length leafless. Leaves narrow linear. Flowers small, spicate. Berries white.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (North); Darfur (Jebel Meidob and Kulme).

POLYGALACEÆ.

61Polygala persicariæfolia DC.

Erect or decumbent annual. Leaves oval or lanceolate, acute. Flowers in extra-axillary or terminal racemes. Wing sepals rotundate-ovate, 3-5 nerved; lateral petals semi-hastate or hooked at the base.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

Wing sepals elliptic and not rounded.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Addai: Bongo-land).

Leaves broader, wing sepals less orbicular than in the type.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

P. abyssinica Fres.

Annual or perennial, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves linear or oval, apiculate. Flowers secund on terminal racemes. Wing sepals ovate to obovate, 3-nerved.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 7,000 ft. and over, and plains 20-80 m. N.E. of El Fasher).

P. liniflora Bojer ex Chod.

Branches elongated, erect, grass-like, glabrous. Leaves narrowly linear, slightly decurrent. Racemes terminal, lax-flowered. Wing sepals elliptic, clawed, with few nerves.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra).

P. erioptera DC. HEBEIBU (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab, ANYAIN or LAKSHUA’I (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear or oblong, obtuse. Flowers fascicled or on racemes much shorter than leaves. Wing-sepals oval or obliquely elliptic with 1 broad median nerve.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba & between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (J. Moya); White Nile[68] Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

var. canescens Chod.

Stems and leaves with grey, dense hairs.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kordofan Prov.

var. maxima Chod.

Stems and leaves at length glabrous.

Khartoum Prov. (near Khartoum).

P. arenaria Willd, forma depressa.

Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear to obovate-elliptical obtuse. Flowers in dense strobiliform heads. Wing-sepals variable, oval to ovate-rotundate, often oblique, nerves faint.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. irregularis Boiss.

Low spreading, wiry plant. Leaves oblanceolate obtuse or retuse. Flowers in loose terminal racemes. Wing-sepals broad-ovate with 3 main nerves.

Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Taiara, Abu Gerad).

P. acicularis Oliv.

Glabrous shrub. Leaves narrow-linear to acicular. Flowers in erect terminal racemes or racemes on rigid lateral branchlets. Wing-sepals obovate-oblong, faintly nerved, deciduous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

P. senensis Klotzsch.

Wiry herb or undershrub. Leaves oblanceolate, obtuse. Flowers in very short lateral racemes or axillary fascicles. Wing-sepals broadly ovate with numerous looping nerves.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat).

62Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. SAGGAT—Arab.

Branched shrub, 8-10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, linear-lanceolate to ovate oblong, 1-2 in. long. Flowers rose or purple or violet or variegated with white, racemose. Fruit a 1-winged samara.

Fung Prov. (Famaka); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

CRASSULACEÆ.

63Tillæa pentandra Royle.

Small herb with opposite, fleshy cylindrical subulate leaves, connate at base. Flowers small, white, solitary, or 2-3 together, axillary. Fruit of 4-5 free carpels.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 9,000 ft.).

64Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb.

Shrubby herb, 2-4 ft. high, with barren and purple-spotted flowering stems. Leaves opposite, fleshy, crenate, either simple, ovate-orbicular or unequally pinnate with ovate segments. Flowers up to 2 in. long, pendulous, in paniculate[69] cymes; calyx inflated, striped purple; cor. reddish-purple; stamens 8, in 2 rows. Fruit of 4 follicles.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

65Kalanchoe crenata Haw. HARFIFOIT—Hadendowa.

Tall perennial herb with opposite fleshy, crenate leaves and yellow flowers.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, foot of Has Has).

66Umbilicus botryoides Hochst.

Small herb with perennial root-stock. Lower leaves orbicular, loosely crenate, peltate. Flowering stems usually about 6 in. long bearing a simple or somewhat branched raceme of pale pendulous flowers.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Abwo, 9,600 ft.).

67Sempervivum molle Vis.

Softly hairy, fleshy herb. Leaves alternate, fleshy, oval-rhomboid, red-spotted beneath. Flowers cymose, white or yellow.

Nubia.

SAXIFRAGACEÆ.

68Vahlia viscosa Roxb. SAFEIRA EL BAHR (Atbara), WADE (Halfa)—Arab; TELGIN—Hadendowa; TEIMER—Rashida.

Prostrate, glandular, pilose herb, with ovate-oblong, opposite leaves and yellow flowers. Calyx 5-lobed; corolla 5 petals; anthers 5; style deeply bifid; ovary inferior.

River banks; Wadi Halfa; Berber Prov. (Atbara & Berber); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.

V. oldenlandioides Roxb.

Glandular or pubescent herb with opposite linear leaves. Flowers small, numerous; calyx tube adnate to ovary, segments 5, short, triangular; petals 5, epigynous; ovary inferior; capsule sub-globose, small.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

NOTE.—These two species of Vahlia are often mistaken for species of Oldenlandia in Rubiaceæ, but are at once distinguished by the free petals and absence of stipules.

DROSERACEÆ.

69Drosera indica Linn.

Small herb. Leaves alternate, linear, the lower half glabrous, the upper part heavily fringed with gland-tipped tentacles. Flowers white; styles 3.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Gumango).

[70]PODOSTEMONACEÆ.

70Tristicha hypnoides Spreng.

Small moss-like herb, attached to boulders in streams or rivers. Leaves very minute. Flowers solitary, terminal, on peduncles, ¾ in. long in fruit; per. segments 3; st. 1; styles 2-3; caps. ellipsoid.

South Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau & Biri River, Mittu-land: Woko River near Kero).

ELATINACEÆ.

71Bergia verticillata Willd.

Glabrous procumbent herb, about 1 ft. high, aquatic; stems succulent, pink. Leaves nearly sessile, lanceolate, tapering at both ends, 1 to 1½ in. long, opposite, stipulate. Flowers crowded in axillary, sub-verticillate fascicles; stamens 10.

Kordofan Prov.

B. suffruticosa Fenzl. MIRMID or MIREMIT (Khartoum), RIMITH—Arab; OKRIT—Hadendowa; SITA—Rashida.

Deep rooted, heather-like undershrub, rooting again where branches touch the ground. Bark deciduous in papery rust-coloured flakes.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.

B. ammanoides Roth. RIMÏTH (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Herb under 1 ft. high. Leaves oblanceolate, pilose. Flowers in dense axillary, sub-verticillate fascicles; stamens 3.

Kordofan Prov.

CARYOPHYLLACEÆ.

72Silene Macrosolen Steud.

Somewhat viscid perennial, branching from the base. Flowers pinkish in forking panicles. Calyx 5-toothed, narrow tubular, up to 1½ in. long, teeth short; petals much exserted, 5. Carpophore much longer than capsule; styles 3.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500-9,300 ft.).

73Cerastium vulgatum Linn.

Downy, somewhat viscid annual, branching at the base. Stem leaves sessile, oblong to ovate. Flowers white in terminal cymes. Petals shorter or hardly longer than sepals; styles 5; sepals free.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8,600 ft.).

74Arenaria Schimperi Hochst.

Procumbent diffuse perennial. Leaves subulate, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers in loose forking cymes, white; sepals 5, free, 3-nerved; petals 5, equal to sepals; styles 3; capsule 3-valved.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, above 9,000 ft.).

75[71]Spergula arvensis Linn.

Slender herbs. Leaves linear, in opposite clusters, appearing whorled. Flowers small, white, in terminal forked cymes; stamens 5 or 10; styles 5.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.).

76Polycarpon memphiticum Fenzl.

A diffuse, densely pubescent herb. Leaves petiolate, and spathulate-oblanceolate, covered with stellate hairs. Stipules scarious. Flowers small, crowded in leafy cymes, otherwise as in the next species.

Berber Prov. (Banks of the Nile between Khartoum and Shendi).

P. Lœflingii Benth. & Hook. f.

A diffuse, prostrate or ascending, wiry, glabrous herb. Leaves sessile, linear or linear-spathulate, glabrous. Flowers small, in dichotomous cymes; sepals 5, with white, scarious edges; petals small, linear; stamens 3-5; style 3-fid.

Khartoum Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Wau & Mittu-land: Mvolo, & Bongo-land: Addai); Blue Nile Prov. (near Wad Medani).

77Polycarpæa corymbosa Lam.

Herb, 2-12 in. high, with a somewhat amarantaceous appearance. Leaves linear, sessile. Flowers numerous, small, crowded in dense cymes, forming large flat-topped heads; bracts scarious, silvery, bristle-pointed.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

Said to be a remedy for snake-bite.

P. eriantha Hochst.

Diffuse, slender herb, with numerous flowers in lax cymes, spreading all over the plant. Sepals loosely pubescent. Leaves linear, about ½ in. long, with fine setose points.

Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Mongalla Prov., Bongo-land (Gir).

P. spicata Arnott.

Small herb; leaves obovate or oblanceolate-spathulate, rosulate; flower-heads densely fascicled; sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, scarious; petals 5, shorter than sepals; stamens 5.

Red Sea Prov.: Lat. 21° N.

P. fragilis Del.

Small herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate, hoary, margins revolute. Flowers in small, densely fascicled cymes; sepals ovate-elliptic, with membranous margin, longer than petals.

Red Sea Prov.: from sea level to 4,000 ft., Lat. 21° N.

P. linearifolia DC.

Erect or decumbent herb. Leaves narrow-linear or linear-subulate. Flowers in terminal, rounded or lax, silvery,[72] many flowered cymes. Sepals scarious acute, ⅓ to ⅔ longer than petals.

Blue Nile Prov.: White Nile Prov. (South of Lat. 14° N.): Kordofan Prov. (Hillet Nu & El Obeid); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Aweit).

P. stellata DC.

Erect or diffuse herb. Leaves linear, with axillary tufts. Flowers in small capitate, divaricate cymes; sepals very acute, much longer than the petals.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

P. prostrata Dec. HAR, HARA & REYKHA—Arab.

Prostrate herb. Leaves linear-spathulate. Flowers solitary from the forks. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, with broad membranous margin, hardly longer than petals.

Nubia; Northern Sudan.

78Sphærocoma Hookeri T. Anders.

Undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Branchlets glabrous. Flower heads dense, globose, spinescent. Leaves fleshy, terete, fascicled.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (J. Hotarba: Soturba Range, Lat. 22° N.).

S. Aucheri Boiss.

Leaves shorter than those of last-named. Branchlets pubescent.

Red Sea Prov.; 21° N. Lat.

MOLLUGINACEÆ.

79Orygia decumbens Forsk.

Decumbent herb, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves obovate or rotundate, cuneate, fleshy, ½-1 in. broad, alternate, glaucous. Sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 12 or more; styles 5; capsules 5-valved.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, between hills & Sinkat); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

80Mollugo Cerviana Seringe.

Annual; stems erect, slender; branches umbellate. Leaves verticillate-linear, about ½ in. long. Flowers numerous on long filiform, axillary and terminal peduncles. Seeds smooth.

Kordofan & Darfur Provinces, Uganda (Nile Province).

Used as medicine for fevers.

M. Spergula Linn.

Diffused decumbent herb. Leaves fleshy, 3-9 in verticils, oval to lanceolate, 1 in. long. Flowers fascicled; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5-10; capsule 3-valved.

Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Hoo River); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

Used medicinally it is stomachic, aperient and antiseptic.

[73]M. nudicaulis Lam.

Annual. Leaves radical, crowded, spathulate, entire, glabrous, about 1½ in. long. Flower stems erect, 4-6 in. long, leafless, trichotomously branched. Flowers white in lax trichotomous cymes.

Nubia; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

81Glinus lotoides Loefl. RABA’A (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GETAKI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Annual, with stellate hairs, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves rotundate to oblanceolate, 1 in. long, radical and pseudo-verticillate. Flowers in axillary fascicles; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5 to many; stigmas 2-5. Seeds verrucose.

Berber Prov. (Shendi); Kartoum Prov. (Khartoum); Blue Nile Prov. (Dried pools); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

The plant is said to be a purgative. The tender shoots are eaten.

82Gisekia pharnaceodes Linn.

Prostrate or ascending, somewhat succulent annual. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, oblong-spathulate. Flowers small, in axillary clusters; petals none; carpels 5, distinct, surrounded by sepals.

Red Sea Prov. (littoral); Berber Prov. (Obak); Khartoum, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

Said to be a useful medicine for tapeworm.

G. rubella Hochst. SHA’ERET EL BAHAYAM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Much like above but cymes in lax diffuse panicles.

Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambe).

83Semonvillea pterocarpa J. Gay.

Erect, branched herb, glaucous, 1-2½ ft. high. Leaves alternate, fleshy, linear, 1-2 in. long. Flowers small, greenish, in 10-12 flowered, terminal and leaf-opposed cymes; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 6-7. Fr. compressed orbicular, separating in 2 broadly-winged cocci.

Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Mulbes).

84Limeum viscosum Fenzl. TARBA (Khartoum), RUBAA’, also HOMRA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Prostrate, glandular-viscid herb. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate to rotundate. Flowers small, in extra-axillary, compact cymes; sepals 5, viscid; petals 0; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.

Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.

L. indicum Stocks.

Diffuse, glandular, puberulous or glabrate herb. Leaves[74] nearly or quite opposite, rotundate, ⅓ in. long. Cymes sessile or subsessile, axillary; petals clawed, toothed above; stamens 6-7. Fr. minute dicoccous, bony.

Nubia

L. linifolium Fenzl. HAREISH (Kordn.)—Arab.

Glabrous herb. Leaves alternate, linear, ½-2 in. long. Cymes compact, sessile or subsessile; sepals 5; petals 0, 3 or 5, linear-spathulate; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.

Kordofan Prov. (El Murra).

FICOIDACEÆ.

85Aizoon canariense Linn.

Hairy, prostrate herb. Leaves obovate to spathulate, up to 3 in. long, alternate. Flowers sessile, solitary or clustered in axils of leaves. Calyx 4-5 partite; petals absent. Fruit pentagonal stelliform, ⅓ in. long.

Red Sea Prov.

86Trianthema pentandra Linn. RABA’A (Khartoum) & RAB’AH—Arab; LOM (Kenissa)—Dinka.

Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite, oval-oblong to obovate-elliptical, ½-2 in. long. Flowers fascicled, axillary; calyx 5-fid; petals 0; stamens 5. Capsule membranous or coriaceous.

North Sudan; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile & Kordofan Provinces; Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

The plant is used as an astringent in abdominal diseases. The Sudanese mix one spoonful of pounded roots with one rottl of Marissa and use the mixture as a remedy for gonorrhœa, the doses being taken for three days.

T. salsoloides Fenzl. DEILU (N. Kordn.) & DALLE—Arab.

Hairy herb. Leaves opposite, linear, fleshy, ½ to 1 in. long, dilated at base with membranous stipuliform teeth. Flowers axillary fascicled or on short lateral leafy shoots. Petals 0; stamens up to 5. Capsule 1-seeded.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

The ashes mixed with Simsim oil and lime are used for making soap.

T. polysperma Hochst.

Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite or nearly so, fleshy, glandular, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers dichotomously cymose, sessile in each fork. Calyx 5-lobed, with petaloid pink margin; stamens 4-6; styles 2; ovary 1-celled, ovules about 7.

Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

T. crystallina Vahl. ARARIB (Atbara)—Arab.

Prostrate herb. Leaves fleshy, linear to rotundate, ¾ in. long. Flowers axillary fascicled.

[75]Red Sea Prov. (sea-coast); Berber Prov. (Abu Hashim & Atbara); Nubian Desert; Kordofan Prov. (Debakh); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

T. triquetra Rottl. & Willd.

Diffuse, prostrate herb, covered with minute scales. Leaves opposite or alternate, over ½ in. long, linear to linear-lanceolate, fleshy. Flowers numerous, sessile in the axil. Style simple.

Between Kassala & Goz Regeb; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Geteina); Kordofan Prov.

PORTULACACEÆ.

87Portulaca quadrifida Linn.

Prostrate, fatty herb. Flowers yellow. Leaves opposite, oval, numerous, fleshy. Joints and flower-heads bristly.

Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Khartoum, Upper White Nile & White Nile Provinces.

P. oleracea Linn. RIGLA—Arab. The Purslane.

Succulent annual with obovate or oblong-spathulate, alternate, fleshy leaves. Flowers in clusters, few together, yellow, open during a short time in the morning.

Common everywhere. Wild in various parts, e.g., Red Sea, White Nile, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

Used as a vegetable and salad, the seeds are demulcent, diuretic and slightly astringent.

P. Erythraea Schwfth.

Fleshy; leaves obovate-cuneate, about 1 in. long. Flowers axillary, sessile, solitary.

No locality given (fide Mrs. Crowfoot).

P. foliosa Kern.

Herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, terete. Flowers yellow, solitary or in few-flowered heads, with numerous setæ.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mvolo near Rōl River).

88Talinum Caffrum E. & Z.

Small herb, woody below, somewhat succulent above. Leaves linear-lanceolate. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, yellow.

Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).

T. cuneifolium Willd. DANAB EL TUT (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; KUGATABBA—Bongo.

Undershrub. Leaves thick. Flowers carmine; capsules size of a pea, thinly crustaceous, nodding; seeds numerous.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Dago & Barku); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

[76]T. crassifolium Willd.

Small herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, elliptic or oblanceolate-oblong. Flowers red in terminal, few-flowered panicles.

Red Sea Prov. (coast).

POLYGONACEÆ.

89Oxygonum atriplicifolium Martelli.

Herb; stem slender, pubescent on one side. Leaves alternate, deltoid to lanceolate, ¾ in. long; petiole ¼ in. long, dilated into a membranous sheath (ochrea), with long hairs. Racemes 6 in. long; bracts like ochreæ enclosing 2-3 flowers; per. minute, pink, 5-lobed, becoming 3-spined in fruit; stamens 8; styles 3. Flowers polygamous.

Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.

var. sinuatum Baker.

Leaves thicker, pinnately lobed.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla).

90Polygonum plebeium R. Br.

Prostrate herb with short internodes. Leaves alternate, linear-oblong, ¼ to ½ in. long; ochreæ membranous, white, lacerate. Flowers clustered 2-5, axillary; per. white, small, 5-lobed; stamens 8. Fr. trigonous, shining.

Khartoum Prov.; Banks of the Nile; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

P. serrulatum Lag.

Slender procumbent annual, 2-3 ft. long. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile; ochreæ bristly. Spikes several to a stem; 1½-2 in. long; bracts ciliate; per. pink, minute; stamens 6-8, styles and nut as above.

Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Lado).

P. limbatum Meisn.

Perennial 3-4 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile, with stout adpressed hairs; ochreæ large, hairy sheathing below, deflexed above. Racemes 3 to a branch, 2-3 in. long; per. pink, minute; stamens 7; styles 2; nut lenticular, glossy, black.

Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. barbatum Linn.

Hairy perennial. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, up to 6 in. long, subsessile, hairy both sides; ochreæ without limb. Spikes, 2-3 in. long; bracts bristly on margins, per. pink, minute; stamens 6-8; styles 3; nut trigonous.

[77]Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Darfur Prov. (Kulme & J. Marra: Niurnya 6,500 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

A blue dye, like indigo, is said to be obtained from this plant in China and Japan. The root is used as an astringent and cooling remedy.

P. lanigerum R. Br.

Hoary aquatic herb, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate, up to 9 in. long; ochreæ long, membranous, ciliate. Racemes dense, 1-3 in. long; bracts orbicular; per. ⅙ in. long; stamens 6; styles 2; fr. lenticular, black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek & Ghabat El Arab, Bongo: Zariba Agad Ngulfala); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa, Yei River).

P. tomentosum Willd.

Tall aquatic herb, more fulvous than the above; stamens usually 7; bracts truncate, ciliate, otherwise as above.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Sobat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Bodumo swamps & Nabambisso River); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd); Mongalla Prov. Yei River).

P. senegalense Meisn.

Perennial, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves distinctly petioled, oblong-lanceolate, narrowed both ends, 2-8 in. long; ochreæ large, truncate, not ciliate. Racemes 2-3 in. long; bracts ovate, not ciliate; per. pale pink, minute; stamens 7; styles 2; nut orbicular, flattened, shining, blackish.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft).

P. acuminatum H.B. & K. var. microstemon Mart.

Pubescent herb. Leaves lin.-lanceolate, acuminate, 6 in. long, adpressed hairy on both sides; ochreæ bristly. Spikes dense, 2-3 in. long, 2-4 to a stem; bracts ovate, ciliate; per. pink, minute, 4-5 lobed; style bifid; nut lenticular.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. glabrum Willd. TIMSAHIYA (Khartoum)—Arab.

Glabrous marsh herb, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, up to 8 in. long; ochreæ large, membranous. Spikes dense, 2 in. long; per. pink; stamens 6-8; styles 2; nut lenticular, orbicular.

Nubia; Dongola Prov. (Saikot); Between Khartoum & Shendi; Blue Nile Prov. (Bagras, Dinder River); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, Wadi Gindi 7,300 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau in Jur).

An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve pain in case of colic.

91Rumex abyssinicus Jacq.

Very tall herb with perennial root stock; stems hollow, reddish. Leaves triangular or ovate, hastate, up to 8 in.[78] long; petals up to 4 in. long, red; ochreæ membranous, ¾ in. long. Panicle terminal, branched, 1 ft. long; flowers polygamous; per. lobes 6, 3 inner enlarged in fr. to ¼ in.; stamens 6; styles 3, stigmas fimbriate; nut 3-gonous.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6-8,000 ft.).

R. vesicarius Linn.

Branched herb. Leaves deltoid or ovate, 1¼ in. long, cordate, fleshy; petals up to 1½ in. long. Panicles terminal; flowers 1-2 on jointed ped. in the whorls; bracts as long as ped., scarious; per. segm. ⅓ in. diameter in fr., reddish, winged; nut almost 3-winged.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral); Darfur Prov. (J. Meidob, 4,000 ft.).

R. nepalensis Spreng.

Stout perennial, 3-4 ft. high. Basal leaves long petioled, oblong, rounded or cordate at base, 1 ft. or more long, cauline ovate-oblong, cordate to lanceolate. Panicles long, lax, with reduced leaves below; flowers many in a whorl; pedicels deflexed; inner per. segm. ⅛ in. in fruit, ovate-cordate margined with hooked teeth; nut ovoid-triquetrous.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Guloberi Wadi, 8,000 ft.).

ILLECEBRACEÆ.

92Paronychia argentea Lam.

Densely tufted, pubescent herb, 3-6 in. high. Leaves opposite, lower oblanceolate, mucronate, upper shorter, oblong; stipules and bracts white-scarious, the latter completely hiding the flowers which are in dense terminal clusters; per. very minute, 5-partite lobes hooded at tip.

Dongola Prov. (Khandak).

93Cometes abyssinica R. Br.

Erect perennial, 6-12 in. high, pubescent and much branched. Leaves opposite or verticillate, lanceolate, sessile. Flowers in terminal clusters, bracts enlarged in fruit, silky, long, whitish, forming globose, somewhat rotate heads about 1 in. diameter; per. ⅙ in. long, green.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Khor Tamanib, Khor Ashat, Has Has, Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft. and over).

PHYTOLACCACEÆ.

94Mohlana nemoralis Mart.

Erect annual, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, oblong, acute or acuminate, up to 6 in. long. Racemes moderately dense, 2-5 in. long; perianth small, dark green, obliquely campanulate, veined in fr., segments 4, unequal, lowest largest; stamens 4; anthers versatile sagittate; fr. fleshy, lenticular.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Naporruporru).

95Phytolacca octandra Linn.

Erect perennial, 2-3 ft. high; stems stout. Leaves alternate,[79] oblong, 3-4 in. long. Racemes very dense; per. green, 5-partite; stamens about 8; fr. globose, purple-black.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

CHENOPODIACEÆ.

96Chenopodium album Linn. FISS EL KELAB—Arab.

Erect herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, 1-1½ in. long, coarse-dentate, mealy. Panicles axillary; per. lobes 5, triangular, incurved; stamens 5, filam. short; styles 2, seed globose, black-brown.

Kordofan Prov.

The plant is eaten as a pot-herb. It is also said to have laxative properties.

C. murale Linn.

Erect herb, mealy all over. Leaves ovate, obscurely 3-lobed, coarsely serrate, 1-4 in. long. Panicles terminal and axillary, more spreading than in above. Flowers as above.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat.); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).

It is eaten as a pot-herb.

C. Schraderianum Roem. & Schult.

Herb, 2-5 ft. high. Leaves pinnatifid, 1-4 in. long, covered with stalked and sessile yellow glands. Panicle much branched and in zigzags; per. segments 5; triangular, keeled, with stalked glands.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).

97Atriplex farinosa Forsk.

Undershrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, lanceolate-oblong, 1½ in. long, short petioled, some cordate or auricled, densely white-tomentose beneath. Flowers unisexual, in terminal spikes or panicles, male flower per. 5-lobed; stamens 3-5; female flower enclosed in 2 orbicular, tomentose bracts, 1/5 in. diameter in fr., per. 0, styles 2-branched.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

98Kochia cana Boiss.

Undershrub; branchlets white, obscurely silky. Leaves alternate, oblong, 1/5 in. long, hairy. Infl. subglobose, embedded in long brown hairs, axillary or terminal, 2-sexual or female; per. lobes 5, incurved and enlarged in fr.; stamens 5; styles 2-3.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

99Halopeplis perfoliata Schweinf.

Woody, branched undershrub, 1-2 ft. high, nodes approximate. Leaves alternate, very small, sessile, decurrent, glabrous. Spikes small, dense; per. 3-toothed; stamens 1-2.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

100[80]Arthrocnemum fruticosum Moq.

Undershrub, branches short-jointed. Leaves 0. Flowers 2-sexual, very small, partially sunk in cylindric, dense spikes 1½-2½ in. long; per. 3-4 lobed; stamens 1-2.

Red Sea Prov. (Saline marshes, Er-Rih Island).

101Salsola fœtida Del. DEBERRAH (Nubia) & MULLEY (Egypt)—Arab.

Evil-smelling undershrub, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, orbicular, minute, fleshy, imbricate; bracteoles similar. Flowers in short, dense axillary spikes; per. 5-partite, segments in fr. winged, scarious; stamens 5; style 2-branched.

Wadi Halfa (on sandstone); Berber Prov. (Obeish); Between Berber & Khartoum; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin & 21° N. Lat.).

S. vermiculata Linn.

Pubescent undershrub. Leaves alternate or fascicled, ovate, up to ⅓ in. long, keeled at base. Flowers in dense spikes, as above.

Nubia (banks of the Nile, near Tingur).

102Suæda fruticosa Forsk. ADLIB—Arab.

Glabrous undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves alternate, scattered, linear, fleshy, ¼-⅔ in. long. Flowers minute, axillary, solitary or clustered; per. urn-shaped in bud; lobes 5; stamens 5; style short, 3-armed.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat & Littoral).

S. monoica Forsk.

Similar to above; upper leaves larger; flowers larger and mostly 1-sexual.

Between Suakin & Berber (Khor Langeb); Kordofan Prov. (Maties).

S. Volkensii C. B. Clarke.

Succulent undershrub. Leaves oblong, up to ⅓ in. long. Flowers clustered on nearly continuous spikes. Per. larger than in S. fruticosa, pentagonal, swollen in fruit.

Red Sea Prov. (saline soils on sea-coast).

S. vermiculata Forsk.

Spreading, white tomentose undershrub. Leaves ovate, sub-globose, up to ⅙ in. long, mealy and glandular, tubercled at base. Flowers in dense spikes; bracts spirally inserted, white-margined; filaments exserted.

Red Sea Prov.

S. vermiculata Forsk. var. puberula C. B. Clarke.

Leaves linear, up to ⅓ in. long without tubercle.

Red Sea Prov. (Coast).

103Cornulaca monacantha Del.

Much branched, rigid undershrub. Leaves alternate lanceolate, up to ¼ in. long, curved, ending in a spine, which drops off when old and the base becomes a cushion.[81] Flowers clustered, buried in wool, polygamous; per. segments 5, 1 or more spinescent in fruit.

Dongola Prov.

C. Ehrenbergii Aschers.

Leaves densely imbricated, mucronate; flowers solitary, not buried in wool, axillary, otherwise as above.

Red Sea Prov. (Coast).

AMARANTACEÆ.

104Celosia argentea Linn. DANAB EL KELB (H. Abbas), & SHEIBA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Branched herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, linear to spathulate-elliptic, 1-5 in. long; petals 1-2 in. long. Spikes dense, scarious, silvery-white, pink or straw-coloured, up to 6 in. long; per. ⅓ in. long, 5-fid; stamens 5, filaments united at base; style 3-branched.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); South of Khartoum; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Sobat River (Nasser).

The seeds are a remedy for diarrhœa. The plant is sometimes eaten as a pot-herb; it is also said to yield a strong fibre.

C. laxa Schumach. & Thonn.

Branched herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves long-petioled below, ovate to lanceolate, up to 3 in. long. Infl. much looser than in above, 2-4 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land by Nabambisso River).

C. trigyna Linn. BAMBIT (Kordn.), EL BUEIDA (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Straggling herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves long-petioled below, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 1-5 in. long. Infl. varying from linear panicles, 4-6 in. long, interrupted, to simple spikes or globular spicate heads, 1 in. in diameter, pink to silvery-white; per. ⅛ in. long; style 3-branched.

Between Korosko & Berber; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Karora); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Zalingei); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Lado: Yei River: Kagula).

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

C. Schweinfurthiana Schinz.

Scrambling herb, 4-5 ft. long. Leaves long-petioled, ovate-lanceolate, 3 in. long. Panicles linear, up to 10 in. long, or elongate, interrupted spikes; per. 1/10 in. long; style bifid.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

C. populifolia Moquin.

Straggling undershrub, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves petioled, ovate-lanceolate,[82] base rounded, 3 in. long. Panicles linear, thyrsoid, 4-7 in. long; per. 1/10 in. long, scarious white with dark lines; style bifid. Caps. 1-seeded.

Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bareis); Darfur Prov.

105Digera arvensis Forsk. HARAYRAH, NUARAH, BEBIT or LABLAB AHMAR (Blue Nile Prov.), & ASFAR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; AMMĀL (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka; KILUTUM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Shilluk.

Branched herb, 8-20 in. high. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or ovate, 2 in. long. Spikes axillary 2-7, somewhat interrupted, pink; per. 4-5-fid, ⅙ in. long; stamens 5, not united at base: style 2-fid; caps. 1-seeded.

Widely distributed: Nubia (between Suakin & Berber, Wadi Abu Salem); Kassala Prov.: Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab).

It is eaten as a pot-herb, also as fodder. The leaves are used to cure indigestion.

106Amarantus caudatus Linn. ORF ED DIK—Arab.

Erect herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, long-petioled, narrow-elliptic, 2-12 in. long. Spikes red, linear numerous, mostly in terminal panicles; bracts numerous, longer than flowers; per. 1/10 in. long, 5-fid; style 3-fid, long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post & Roseires); Kordofan Prov. (Sigei).

Cultivated for its seed, which is edible. The plant is also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The garden variety is known as “Love-lies-bleeding.”

A. tricolor Linn.

Herb, 1-5 ft. high. Leaves spathulate-ovate, acuminate, up to 4 in. long; pet. 1-2½ in. long. Spikes axillary and in terminal panicles; per. 1/10 in. long, 3-fid; bracts long-awned, longer than flowers; style 3-branched.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

A. oleraceus Linn.

Herb; a weed in cultivation. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 2 in. long, long-petioled. Spikes axillary and terminal, dense; per. very minute, segments 3.

Khartoum Prov.

A. græcizans Linn. FISS EL KELB, & LISĀN EL TEIR—Arab.

A weed in cultivation. Leaves elliptic, 1-2 in. long, long-petioled. Spikes globose, axillary and terminal; per. segments 3, minute, tailed.

Khartoum, Kassala & Kordofan Provinces.

A. Blitum Linn. LISĀN EL TEIR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

A weed in cultivation, 15 in. high. Leaves narrow-oblong to[83] obovate ½-1½ in. long including pet. Spikes copious, axillary; flowers still smaller than above.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin); Khartoum, Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

A. polygamus Linn.

A weed, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 2 in. long; pet. often very long. Spikes axillary; flowers as above.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.

107Aerva tomentosa Forsk. GHUBEISH (Nomads, Kordn.), SHEIBA (N. Kordn.), LERU or (EL) ARA or LARA—Arab; EIGAB—Hadendowa.

Undershrub, 2-4 ft. high, with dense white stellate hairs. Leaves alternate, lanceolate, 4 in. long. Flowers in spiked terminal, leafless, dense panicles, 2 in. long; per. 5-fid, ⅛ in. long, hairy; bracts hairy; stamens 5; filaments united in a tube with alternating staminodes, style 2-branched; caps. 1-seeded.

Widely distributed. Red Sea Prov.; Dongola Prov. (Khandak); Berber Prov. (Saggadi, Wadi Omari); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

The woolly spikes are used for stuffing pillows and donkey saddles. The roots are used as tooth-brushes. It is used medicinally for horses and camels.

var. β. Bovel Webb.

More tawny than type. Leaves oblong or obovate, 1 in. long. Flowers smaller; spikes more slender and interrupted.

Red Sea Prov. (between Suakin & Berber); Dongola Prov. (Debba): Kordofan Prov.

A. Ruspolii Lopr.

Bushy, tawny-woolly herb. Leaves oblong and obovate, ½ in. long, recurved. Spikes small and interrupted.

Berber Prov. (17° 30′ Lat. N.).

A. lanata Juss.

Woolly herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves ovate, 1½ in. long. Spikes axillary and terminal, ¼-½ in. long; flowers small, densely white-woolly; bracts glabrous-pointed.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, sea-coast, Erkowit); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nabambisso River: Niamniam-land).

var. β. oblongata Aschers.

Leaves thick, very woolly. Spikes in a dense, narrow panicle, 1 ft. long.

Red. Sea Prov. (Soturba).

A. brachiata Mart.

More glabrate than A. lanata and smaller. Infl. axillary; flowers very minute; stamens 2 only.

White Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

108[84]Cyathula prostrata Blume.

Hairy or glabrate herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves ovate or obovate, 1-4 in. long. Spikes terminal, 2-6 in. long, ¼ in. wide; bracts with straight and hooked spines; per. segments 5, blunt or spinose, 1/12 in. long; stamens 5, alternating with staminodes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kalenjo).

109Pupalia lappacea Juss. LAMRAGA—Bari.

Hairy herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, 2-6 in. long. Infl. in terminal subspicate clusters, 2-4 in. long; flowers about 3 together enclosed by 2 bracts and 4 bracteoles covered with white, woolly hairs and hooked and barbed spines forming very troublesome burrs; stamens 5; filaments connate at base.

Red Sea Prov.; Suakin to Berber (Wadi Omari); Fung Prov. (Roseires, Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol & rocky hills); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Maiuoli, Jur: Dimo); Bahr El Jebel.

At Rejaf the plant is used medicinally, being burnt and the ashes added to water and drunk for flatulence. It is also said to be used for leprosy; sores are bled and the ashes of the plant, called DIKERI TIMALLO, are rubbed in. Patients eat light food and no meat.

110Psilotrichum cordatum Moquin.

Herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves opposite, ovate, 1½ in. long, hairy. Panicles terminal, 1-2 ft. long; spikes ½-1½ in. long, 4-12 flowered, bracteoles 2, shorter than flowers; per. segments 5, ⅛ in. long, green, hairy; stamens 5, filaments joined into a cup at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba).

P. Schimperi Engl.

Glabrous branched herb, 18 in. high. Leaves lin.-oblong, 2 in. long. Spikes terminal and subaxillary, up to 5 in. long in fruit; per. green.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

111Achyranthes aspera Linn. ABRUKAB (Sennar), DANAB EL ABILANI or FAKHAH or NA’ANA’A (Meshra El Zeraf), ANAWIDIK (Khartoum), ERG EL ASDA & ERG EL DAM (Blue Nile)—Arab; DARATNIUWA—Hadendowa; EILUKWATEN (Dilling)—Nuba.

Straggling or erect woody herb. Leaves opposite, elliptic, 2-3 in. long. Spikes usually simple, 2-18 in. long, occasionally compound and feathery; bracteoles spiny; fr. deflexed, somewhat prickly.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Khortratib); from Lat. 15° 30′ southwards.

Root chewed and used as a styptic on cuts.

A. aspera Linn. var. argentea C. B. Clarke.

Leaves silky, strigose beneath with white hairs, often silvery.

[85]Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (near mouth of Bahr El Ghazal); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

A. aquatica R. Br.

Hirsute aquatic herb. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, 3-4 in. long. Spikes 3 in. long; bracteoles small; per. straw-coloured; fr. deflexed as above.

Fung Prov. (Deleib, Khor Agalin, & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (Abba Island & Kosti); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

112Pandiaka cylindrica Hook. f.

Hairy herb. Leaves opposite, subsessile, oblong, 1 in. long. Spikes 1½ in. long, pinkish straw-coloured; bracteoles 2, longer than per., mucronate, white-hairy; per. ¼ in. long, white-hairy; stamens 5, connate at base with quadrate alternating hairy staminodes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Limbo’s & Abu Shakka’s, Jur Majob); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

P. Heudelotii Hook. f.

Hairy herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves sessile, linear, 2-3 in. long. Spikes 1 in. long, green to straw-coloured; bracteoles ⅙ in. long, pointed; per. 1/5 in. long, hairy; stamens as above, glabrous.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. Schweinfurthii C. B. Clarke.

Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves sessile, broad-elliptic or oblanceolate. Spikes 1½ in. long, terminal, straw-coloured; stamens as above, staminodes long-fimbriate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit).

P. oblanceolata C. B. Clarke.

Sparsely hairy herb. Leaves oblanceolate-oblong, 1¾ in. long, sessile. Spikes 2 in. long, pale-brown; bracteoles 1/5 in., bristle-pointed as is the per., which is ⅓ in. long; staminodes lacerate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo, Addai).

113Alternanthera nodiflora R. Br. ABU TUMRA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Procumbent hairy herb, 6-24 in. long. Leaves opposite; oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, ½-2½ in. long. Heads axillary, ⅓ in. diameter, white; per. segm. ⅙ in. long; stamens 5, filaments united into a cup with alternate notched teeth.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).

A. achyranthoides Forsk.

Leaves usually lobed, otherwise as above but per. smaller.

Berber Prov. (Saggadi); Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Wau River); Bahr El Jebel.

[86]BASELLACEÆ.

114Basella alba Linn.

Glabrous, much branched, twining herb. Leaves alternate, ovate or cordate, 2-4 in. long, long-petioled, almost leafless in dry season. Flowers 2-sexual, in axillary spikes with 2 fleshy bractlets adnate to per.; per. fleshy, shortly 5-lobed; stamens 5; styles 3. Fr. globose, enclosed in enlarged per., 1/5 in. diameter, red, white or black.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by Nabambisso River).

Cultivated as a Spinach.

LINACEÆ.

115Linum strictum Linn.

Erect herb. Leaves linear, scabrid. Flowers yellow, small, in cymose corymbs. Capsule splitting into 5 2-seeded valves or into 10 1-seeded valves.

Red Sea Prov.

116Hugonia platysepala Welw.

Shrub, 6-9 ft. high. Leaves alternate, shining above, broadly oblanceolate to obovate oblong, acute or cuspidate. Flowers in few flowered racemes, yellow, over 1 in. across; outer sepals with revolute margins; stamens monadelphous. Fruit globose, orange-coloured, ½ in. diameter.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Yuru River).

ZYGOPHYLLACEÆ.

117Tribulus terrestris Linn. DREISA or DEREISA, GATHA (Egypt)—Arab; KÜRWAI—Nuer.

Prostrate plant with opposite pari-pinnate leaves; fruit of 5 woody cocci, each with 2 pairs of stiff spines. Flowers solitary yellow. Sepals and petals 5 each, stamens 10, distinct.

In most parts of the Sudan.

The whole plant, especially the fruit, used medicinally as a diuretic. The leaves are occasionally eaten.

T. mollis Ehrb.

Like T. terrestris, but flowers very small, fruits densely pilose and with wings rather than horns at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Khartoum Prov.

T. alatus Del. GATHA (Egypt), DREYS—Arab; SHEISHIG—Hadendowa; GUTAB—Rashida.

Prostrate herb; fruit spinosely and broadly winged, otherwise much like T. terrestris.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab, etc.); Berber Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Um Adam).

[87]T. pterocarpus Ehrenb.

Prostrate herb; fruit roundish winged, otherwise like T. terrestris.

Dongola Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber (Obak).

T. cistoides Linn.

Like T. terrestris, but stigmatic lobes not longer than diameter of style.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

T. Ehrenbergii Asch.

Densely villous herb; wings of fruit toothed.

Dongola Prov.

118Zygophyllum simplex Linn.

Prostrate, succulent, much branched herb. Leaves opposite, 1-fol., unequal, fleshy. Flowers yellow, small, on short peduncles. Fruit deeply 5-lobed, small.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., and Akik); Between Khartoum & Sabil; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

Camel fodder.

Z. album Linn.

Hoary shrub; fruit deeply 5-lobed, obcordate. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov.

Z. coccineum Linn.

Glabrous shrub; fruit 5-lobed. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Soturba hills).

Z. decumbens Del.

Glabrous herb or undershrub. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy. Flowers numerous; staminal scales deeply 2-fid. Fruit deeply 5-lobed, turbinate.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Soturba).

119Fagonia cretica Linn. ABU-SHOKA, ABU-SHWEIKA & SHOLIB—Arab; OSAR—Hadendowa.

Bushy, spinose, shrubby herb. Leaves opposite, 1-5 fol., nearly sessile. Flowers solitary, usually purple or lilac. Fruit pyramidal, deeply 5-lobed.

Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (between Goz Regeb & Bir Tussun); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Kordofan (Taiara & Obeid); Darfur Prov. (Plains 40-80 miles N.E. of El Fasher).

Used in native medicines for tumours, ulcers, etc.

var. parviflora Boiss.

Leaves 1-fol.; leaflets linear-lanceolate. Spines exceeding the leaves.

Nubia (Otao).

120Seetzenia africana R. Br.

Prostrate herb, woody below. Leaves opposite, 3-fol., with interpetiolar stipules, fleshy. Flowers small, axillary, solitary.[88] Fruit of 5 1-seeded cocci, separating longitudinally, sub-globose.

Dongola Prov. (J. Barkal).

GERANIACEÆ.

121Monsonia senegalensis Guill. EL GURUN (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Diffuse shrubby herb with ovate-cordate leaves. Flowers purple on 1-flowered peduncles. Fruit beaked, beak 3 in. long. Stamens 15.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (Jebelein & J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

M. nivea Webb.

Small white pubescent herb with ovate-lanceolate (not cordate) leaves. Fruit beak 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab).

122Geranium favosum Hochst.

Annual, up to 4 ft. high; branches glandular, pilose above.

Leaves deeply 5-lobed, segments pinnatifid. Peduncles 2-flowered; stamens 10. Carpels transversely deeply pitted, with or without tails. Fruit beaked.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & 21° N.L., etc.).

123Erodium malachoides Willd. KORĪAB—Hadendowa.

Stemless herb with decumbent branches, pubescent. Radical leaves, ovate-cordate, more or less 3-5-lobed, crenate. Fruit beak up to 2½ in. long.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & 21° N.L.); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: 9,000 ft.)

OXALIDACEÆ.

124Oxalis caprina Linn.

Tuberous stemless herb. Leaves 3-fol. with obcordate leaflets; leaf stalks up to 6 in. long. Flowers purplish in 3-8 flowered umbels on long peduncles.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

O. corniculata Linn.

Perennial herb with long creeping or underground stems. Leaves trifoliolate. Flowers yellow, 1-3 in umbels on axillary peduncles exceeding the leaves.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Niurnya 7,000 ft.).

125Biophytum Apodiscias Turcz.

Annual; leaves abruptly pinnate, crowded at nodes and ends of stem and branches, sensitive. Flowers, yellow or red, in umbels on axillary peduncles, with numerous setaceous bracts. Styles 5. Fruit a 5-celled capsule.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

[89]BALSAMINACEÆ.

126Impatiens niamniamensis Gilg.

Herb 1 ft. high. Leaves ovate-lanceolate deeply crenate, about 6 in. long. Flowers with the upper petal green, the spur dull purple.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Assika River).

I. Irvingii Hook. f.

Succulent herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves usually alternate, lanceolate, serrulate, 3-5 in. long. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs, irregular, the spur of calyx much longer than the body of the lip. Capsule short, elastically splitting into 5-valves.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole & Yuru Rivers).

LYTHRACEÆ.

127Rotala verticillaris Linn.

Herb, often procumbent. Leaves in whorls of 4-8, narrow linear, truncate or bifid at apex. Flowers sessile, whorled, small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

R. serpiculoides Welw.

Marsh herb, 1-3 in. high. Leaves opposite, linear, ab. 1 in. long. Flowers 1-4 together; calyx 4 deltoid lobes, reddish; petals rare, reddish; stamens 1-2: capsules 3-valved, reddish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).

R. decussata Hiern.

Marsh herb, 1-9 in. high. Leaves decussate, oblong, ½ in. long. Flowers sessile, solitary; calyx 4-lobed; petals 4 or 0; capsule 3-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land; between Ngama & Dokuttu).

R. stagnina Hiern.

Erect marsh herb 4 in. high. Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong, 2 in. long. Flowers 4-merous, sessile; petals 0 or caducous; stamens 2; capsules 3-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).

R. tenella Schwfth.

Creeping marsh herb. Leaves sessile, amplexicaul. Flowers minute, white; capsule globose, 4-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Bongo-land: Gir).

128Woodfordia floribunda Salisb.

Shrub with spreading branches. Leaves opposite, sometimes in whorls of 3, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, cordate or rounded at base. Flowers in axillary clusters; calyx tubular, scarlet; petals minute.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Khor Mashisha, near Dilling); Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 5-6,500 ft.).

[90]It exudes a gum said to be like Gum Tragacanth. The flowers are used as a dye. Both flowers and leaves contain tannin.

129Nesæa heptamera Hiern.

Small herb with red heptamerous, minute flowers. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate, about 1 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Pongo River).

N. erecta Guill. & Perr.

Small herb on river banks, up to 10 in. high. Leaves opposite, linear ¾ in. long. Flowers magenta or purple: petals 4-6.

Mongalla Prov. (Bor); Uganda (Nile Province).

N. cordata Hiern.

Riverside herb, up to 9 in. high. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, cordate at base, ½ in. long. Flowers in heads of 5 surrounded by 2 cordate bracts; petals pink.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur. Ghattas & Bongo-land: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi Swamps).

130Ammannia senegalensis Lam. TAMR EL FAR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Erect, branched herb with 4-winged stem. Flowers axillary, pink, 4-merous. Leaves linear-oblong to lanceolate, auricled, amplexicaul, 2-in. long, opposite.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (near Abba Island, J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Darfur Prov. (Zalingei: Wadi Azum).

The plant is used as a blistering agent.

A. baccifera Linn.

Erect herb with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate, 2 in. long. Cymes 3-7. Flowers sub-sessile, axillary; calyx 4-lobed; petals 4 or 0; stamens 4; capsule globular, dehiscing transversely about the middle.

Dongola Prov. (between Dongola & Korti); between Khartoum & Shendi; Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

The leaves are used for blistering, but the effect is said to be most painful.

A. salicifolia Monti in Comment.

Marsh herb, 18 in. high, with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, lanceolate. Flower small, in dense cymes, whorled, 4-9 in each axil. Capsule 1-celled.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); between Khartoum & Shendi).

A. urceolata Hiern.

Erect annual with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, linear, ½ to 2 in. long. Flowers in dense axillary clusters, 6 in each axil. Capsule 1-celled.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

131[91]Lawsonia alba Lam. HENNA—Arab.

Glabrous shrub; branches angular, sometimes spinescent. Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, elliptic, ab. 1 in. long. Flowers in long axillary or terminal panicles, small, greenish yellow, smell like mignonette.

Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat River, Tawfikia). Introduced.

The leaves are used to dye the finger nails and the palms of the hands an orange colour. The seeds yield an oil.

PUNICACEÆ.

132Punica granatum Linn. RUMMĀN—Arab. The Pomegranate.

Shrub or small tree with large scarlet flowers. Fruit size of an orange; seeds surrounded by a pink, edible pulp.

Introduced from Asia.

ONAGRACEÆ.

133Jussieua diffusa Forsk.

Procumbent aquatic herb, usually supplied with pale pinkish spindle-shaped floats. Leaves alternate, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, narrow at base. Flowers yellow; calyx 5-lobed, enlarged in fruit; pet. 5; stamens 10.

White Nile, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

J. pilosa H. B. & K. ARKALA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; LŪNG (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Differs little from J. diffusa Forsk. except by its erect habit and more hirsute young parts.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

J. acuminata Sw.

Stems glabrous. Leaves lanceolate subacute, 3-4 in. long, ½-1 in. broad, glabrous or nearly so, pinnately several nerved. Fruits wrinkled, 1 in. long.

Khartoum Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku Stream); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

J. villosa Lam.

Erect herb, 4 ft. high; stem woody, somewhat winged, hairy above. Leaves alternate, linear to lanceolate, ½ to 5 in. long. Flowers 4-merous, solitary, yellow, sessile, small. Capsule up to 2 in. long.

Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).

J. villosa Lam. var. linearis Jacq.

Erect, hirsute herb. Leaves narrow linear; fibres of old capsules persistent.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro).

[92]J. linifolia Vahl. SOFSAF (N. Kordn.) & TOTO—Arab.

Erect herb, 2 ft. or more; stem narrowly winged. Leaves linear-lanceolate 1-3 in. long. Flowers small, yellow, 4-merous, sessile, axillary. Capsule cylindrical, 2/3 in. long.

Khartoum to Berber (banks of the Nile); Atbara; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

134Ludwigia jussioides Lam.

Erect herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves linear-oval to lanceolate, 1½-4 in. long, alternate. Flowers axillary, yellow, up to 1 in. in diam.; 4-5-merous. Capsules 1 in. long and 1/12 in. diam.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

L. parviflora Roxb.

Erect annual, 6-18 in.; stem often angular. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, tapering to base, ab. 1½ in. long. Flowers tetramerous, yellow. Capsule under ½ in. long, cylindrical, somewhat inflated, 4-veined.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai).

135Trapa bispinosa Roxb. CHUWALAGEIR (Kenissa)—Dinka. Water Chestnut.

Aquatic herb; stems ascending in water, giving off numerous pectinate roots. Leaves alternate, floating petioles dilated into floats; blades triangular, broadly dentate on upper edges. Fruit ab. 1 in. long, shield-shaped, armed with 2 curved, barbed spines.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Main River); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

Although it is not known in the Sudan as edible the fruit is much used in India as an article of food and is eaten raw or cooked.

136Epilobium hirsutum Linn.

Erect herb, hirsute, 2-5 ft. high. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate, serrulate, amplexicaul, 1-5 in. long. Flowers sessile, axillary, solitary; calyx tube narrow, elongate, 4-lobed; petals 4, pink or purple; stamens 8; stigma 4-lobed. Capsule 2-3 in. long.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra).

HALORRHAGACEÆ.

137Laurembergia Engleri Schindler.

Low herb in swamps with reddish glabrous stems and alternate linear obtuse leaves scarcely ½ in. long. Flowers minute, sessile, axillary. Fruits muricate.

Bahr El Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).

THYMELÆACEÆ.

138Gnidia Mittuorum Gilg.

Heather-like undershrub, 4-12 in. high; stems 4-angled. Leaves oblong or obl.-obovate, ½-1 in. long. Heads terminal,[93] 7-10 flowered; involucral bracts 3-4, ovate, ¼ in. long. Flowers brownish-yellow; pedicels minute, bearing a tuft of white hairs; calyx under ½ in. long; lobes 4, minute; petals 4 inserted on calyx tube, scale-like; stamens 8, sessile in calyx-tube, in 2 rows.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Deim Adlan, Mittu: Deragoh).

G. Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Glabrous herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves scattered, lanceolate or oblong, ½-1 in. long. Flowers yellowish-brown in terminal heads of 15-25 fl., or in axillary 1-3 headed racemes; invol. bracts 4-5, ovate; calyx smaller than above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi).

G. apiculata Gilg.

Undershrub, 1½-3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, crowded, linear or narrowly elliptic, ½-2/3 in. long. Heads numerous, terminal, peduncled and lateral ones sessile, 10-15 flowered; invol. bracts 7-14 in 2 rows; calyx tube pubescent.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Gumango hills); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

139Lasiosiphon Kraussii Meisn. BURURU—Golo.

Woody herb, 4-24 in. high. Leaves opposite, elliptic, lanceolate or narrow-ovate, ½-2 in. long. Heads solitary, terminal, many flowered; peduncles 1-4 in., velvety; invol. bracts 6-10, hairy; calyx yellow, hairy below, pubescent above, ½ in. long, 5-lobed; petals minute, scale-like; stamens 10, in 2 rows.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (Heiban); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra 6,000-9,500 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: between Kutshook Ali’s Zariba & the River Wau, between Pongo River & Jur, Dar Fertit, Golo Desert).

The crushed roots are used for poisoning fish. It is also a virulent poison to man and animals.

140Arthrosolen chrysantha Solms-Laub.

Virgate, bushy, or heather-like undershrub, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves scattered, linear, ¾ in. long. Heads terminal, solitary, many-flowered; invol. bracts ovate to linear; pedicel with ring of hairs; calyx tube ½ in. long; lobes 4; petals 0; stamens 8 in 2 rows.

Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit).

141Dicranolepis Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, oblong or obl.-lanceolate, caudate-acuminate, 2-3 in. long, with yellow-brown hairs beneath. Flowers solitary, sessile, 1 in. long; calyx tube slender, lobes 5, ⅙ in. long; pet. 5, scale-like, forked; stamens 10, in 2 whorls. Drupe oval, ½ in. long.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: River Diagbe at Wando).

D. cerasifera Gilg.

Shrub. Leaves variable, ovate to lanceolate, acute or[94] acuminate, 1-2½ in. long, hairy beneath. Flowers 1-2 together, not seen. Drupe smaller than a cherry, reddish.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by Diamwonu River).

NYCTAGINACEÆ.

142Boerhaavia elegans Choisy.

Tall branched herb. Leaves opposite, petioled, broadly ovate, 1½ in. long, whitish beneath. Flowers in lax, terminal, slender panicles, usually solitary, rarely 2-3-nate on the rachis; perianth tube cylindric, lower part persistent 5-angled, viscid ⅙ in. long, enclosing the fruit, upper part petaloid, shortly 5-lobed; stamens 2, exserted, connate at base.

Coast of Nubia.

B. adscendens Willd.

Glabrous herb 2-3 ft. high. Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong or rotundate, up to 2 in. long, pet. 1 in. Panicles terminal, 9 in. long. Flowers umbelled, 4-9 at ends of panicle; perianth minute; fr. under ⅛ in. long.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Sobat.

B. repens Linn. RIGLA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; TEB (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Glabrous creeping or scrambling herb. Leaves in unequal pairs at the nodes, ovate or lanceolate, ab. 1 in. long. Peduncles axillary bearing 4-10 flowered umbels; per. minute, 5-ribbed, glandular between the ribs; lobes pinkish; fr. minute; stamens 1-3.

Red Sea Prov. (between Suakin & Berber: Wadi Abu Salem, Suakin, Erkowit, El Galabeheb & Khor Ashat); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad & Bara); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

var. diffusa Hook. f. TERBA (N. Kordn.), LADUA (White Nile) & MUDDEYD (Egypt)—Arab.

More pubescent. Leaves ovate or ovate-rotundate; fr.-perianth less glandular.

Wadi Halfa; Khartoum Prov. (J. Royan); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung. Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid, Abu Haraza, Bara); Darfur Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

The plant is eaten by the Sontals in India as a pot-herb. The root is used in infusion, or given in powder, and has laxative, diuretic and cooling properties. It has been prescribed for asthma with success. Taken in large doses it acts as an emetic. The plant is much used, in external applications, for dropsical swellings.

var. viscosa Choisy.

More robust than type; stems and leaves densely glandular, hairy. Leaves ovate or subrotundate, sinuate, up to 1¼ in. long.

[95]Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, Soturba & 21° L.N.); Kordofan Prov.

B. verticillata Poir. SHINEMAQ (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Tall, much-branched, glabrous herb. Leaves broadly ovate, 2 in. long. Panicles of 3-5 flowered whorls and terminal umbels; per. minute, stalked glands at base; stamens 2.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba; Sea-coast about 21° L.N., Wadi Surrawib; Wadi El Omari; Sinkat); Fung Prov. (Singa); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Bir Sodari).

B. plumbaginea Cav. ABU LEBBEN—Arab.

Scrambling or procumbent herb. Leaves broadly ovate, petioled. Flowers arranged as above; per. white or lilac up to ⅓ in. long in upper part, funnel-shaped, lower ⅓ in. long in fr. with 10 large glandular disks near apex.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Khor Tamanib & Erkowit); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Roseires); White Nile Prov. (12° 10 N.L.).

A decoction of the root is used for jaundice.

B. pentandra Burch. ERG EL TUEIRĀT (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Procumbent herb. Leaves large, cordate-ovate, serrate. Whorls in large lateral and terminal panicles; bracts lanceolate, ½ in. long; pedicels ½ in. long; per. upper part funnel-shaped, ⅛ in. long, base ⅓ in. with many glandular disks at top; stamens 3.

Kassala Prov. (between Kassala & Goz Regeb); Blue Nile Prov. Ganeib Assad); Kordofan Prov. (Bara).

PROTEACEÆ.

143Protea abyssinica Willd.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or lanc. oblong, 6 in. long, coriaceous. Flowers in terminal turbinate heads surrounded by densely imbricate silvery and silky bracts, outermost minute, increasing inwards, innermost oblong, 1½ in. long; per. ¾ in. long, tubular, compressed, 2-tipped, fulvous hairy in upper half; stamens 4; anthers subsessile, ¼ in. long; nut hairy.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); W. Abyssinia (Baro, Sobat District & Blue Nile).

P. madiensis Oliv.

Shrub or small tree; bark red-brown. Leaves lanc.-elliptic, 6-8 in. long, coriaceous, hairy both sides. Heads somewhat sunflower-like, up to 4 in. across; bracts glabrescent, outer ¼ in. long ovate, inner up to 3 in. long, pinkish; per. 2 in. long, yellow.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo; Sabbi, Niamniam: Tuhami’s Zariba, Biri River near Deim Zubeir: Swei River & Gumango River).

[96]DILLENIACEÆ.

144Tetracera alnifolia Willd.

Climbing shrub. Leaves broad-elliptical or obovate-elliptical, entire or obscurely denticulate. Flowers paniculate, white ⅓ to 2/3 in. in diam.; sepals glabrous within.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: near Kuddu by the Roali River).

The stems when cut transversely yield a supply of potable fluid.

T. strigillosa Gilg.

Undershrub, about 2 ft. high from a woody rhizome. Leaves oblanceolate, dentate. Flowers white, very few together; sepals glabrous inside; petals emarginate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near River Biri, and also Niamniam-land: by the Ibba River, Nganye).

PITTOSPORACEÆ.

145Pittosporum abyssinicum Del.

Shrub or tree. Leaves coriaceous oblanceolate, at first rusty tomentose. Flowers ¼ to ⅓ in. long in umbellate clusters in dense terminal corymbose panicles. Sepals rusty tomentose. Ovary pilose. Capsule globose under ½ in. diam.

White Nile.

BIXACEÆ.

146Bixa Orellana Linn.

Shrub. Leaves oblong lanceolate to ovate oblong. Flowers in terminal racemes, pink, large. Fruit covered by a mass of red-brown soft prickles, oblong.

Mongalla Prov. (Kagulu); Congo. Introduced and cultivated.

The source of Annatto.

COCHLOSPERMACEÆ.

147Cochlospermum niloticum Oliv. AKIT—Jur.

Usually a woody dwarf-plant, but occasionally up to 3 ft. high. In the dwarf plants the large, solitary yellow flowers are seen just above the ground. Leaves palmate; seeds covered with cottony hair.

Southern Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Deim Zubeir, between Wau & Chakchak & Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (Bari & Madi countries); Nuba Mts. Prov. (near Talodi).

The swollen subterranean portion is used medicinally in Nuba Mountains Province, i.e., chewed as a tonic, etc.

[97]FLACOURTIACEÆ.

148Oncoba spinosa Forsk. ALDUKOI (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; AKALAKWALA—Jur.

Spiny shrub with showy white flowers; spines up to 2 in. long. Leaves subcoriaceous, elliptical, short, acuminate, crenate-serrate or serrulate.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

The fruit is the size of a Tangerine Orange, and is used by the Dinkas to make a kind of rattle.

149Caloncoba Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Tree up to 30 ft. Leaves ovate-elliptic, rounded at the base, about 5 in. long. Flowers large and showy; petals 1¾ in. long. Fruit 1½ in. diam., apiculate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: at Teh & Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).

150Lindukeria dentata Oliv.

Shrub or small tree, up to 30 ft. high, glabrous. Leaves membranous, oblong-elliptic to elliptic, dentate-serrate, 3-10 in. long. Flowers up to ¾ in. diam., in loose axillary racemes, 1-3 in. long. Sepals 3; petals 6-10. Fruit globose, with spreading spines, about ½ in. in diam.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Wando).

L. Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Shrub. Leaves oblanceolate, acuminate, serrate, 6-7 cm. long. Flowers few and very small in axillary cymes. Fruits small and echinate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku River).

151Flacourtia sp.

Shrub. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, crenate, sub-mucronate to obtuse.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

SAMYDACEÆ.

152Casearia Engleri Gilg.

A tree. Leaves oblong-elliptic, rounded at base, shortly acuminate, about 6 in. long and 2½ in. wide, glabrous. Flowers small in axillary fascicles. Fruits like coffee berries, yellowish white, about ½ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land, Sine loc. Schwfth. III. 241).

153Homalium Abdessamadi Asch. & Schwfth.

Tree, 40 ft. high. Leaves 3 in. long by 2 in. broad, crenate-dentate, broadly elliptic, alder-like. Flowers paniculate, branches of panicle catkin-like. Fruits pilose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (by the Ibba River, near Nganye).

[98]FRANKENIACEÆ.

154Frankenia pulverulenta Linn. EIRARIB—Hadendowa.

Small diffuse herb. Leaves opposite, often fascicled, obovate, oval or rotundate. Flowers rose to purple, sessile, solitary in the forks or fascicled in leafy heads or cymes. Calyx tubular 4-6 toothed; petals 4-6; stamens 6; ovary 1-celled.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Gwob, Erkowit).

TAMARICACEÆ.

155Tamarix mannifera Ehrb.

Coastal tree or shrub. Leaves scale-like, encircling the stem, subacute. Flowers in dense spikes. Seeds long-pilose.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.).

T. nilotica Ehrb. TARFA—Arab.

Riverside shrub with scale-like leaves and slender erect branches. Flowers white or pinkish-white, crowded in spicate panicles at the ends of branches.

Northern Sudan, Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov., etc.

T. articulata Vahl. FAREQ (Nubia), ABL (Egypt), TARFA (Sudan)—Arab; ERU—Hameg.

Tree with feathery foliage; branchlets articulate. Leaves minute, sheathing. Flowers loosely scattered on long slender spikes.

Red Sea Prov. (Baraka, Dongonab); Kassala Prov. (Gash); Fung Prov.

Wood white, moderately hard, when burnt green gives an offensive smell. Galls, called BIGM by Arabs, are used for dyeing and tanning.

PASSIFLORACEÆ.

156Adenia venenata Forsk. KUDUR—Arab; LORING—Bari; KUDUL—Jur.

Soft woody climber; the lower part of the stem is often inflated and tuberous in appearance, up to over 1 ft. in diameter. Leaves alternate, palmately 5-lobed. Flowers cream coloured; unisexual; calyx tubular, 5-lobed; petals 5.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat); Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek), also Jur-land & Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé).

A. sp. Schweinfurthii Engl.

Climber; leaves ovate, 4 in. long, rounded and with 2 very large glands at the base. Flowers in short lateral cymes. Calyx tubular, ⅓ in. long; lobes lanceolate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land; by the Boddoh River).

[99]A. sp.

Climber; leaves linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, up to 6 in. long and 1¼ in. broad, minutely dotted below. Flowers ⅓ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Schwfth. III 109 & III 111).

A. sp.

Soft, slender stemmed climber. Leaves digitately 5-lobed, nearly 2 in. long, very thin, lobes lanceolate, subacute, minutely pubescent below. Flowers not seen. Fruits stipitate, narrowly ellipsoid, about 1.5 cm. long, with the persistent hairy calyx at the base.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

CUCURBITACEÆ.

157Peponia Cienkowskii Hook. f.

Prostrate or climbing herb; tendrils simple or divided. Leaves ovate, cordate, 5-7 lobed, 3 in. broad. Flowers monœcious; calyx tube ⅓ in. long; petals large, white or yellowish; filaments 3, free, anthers cohering, one 1-celled and two 2-celled, conduplicate; stigma 3-partite. Fruit ovoid or cylindric, fleshy.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

158Trochomeria djurensis Schwfth.

A slender climbing herb. Leaves more or less pentagonal and 5-lobulate, acute, widely cordate, scabrid; tendrils short. Male flowers with tubular calyx 1 cm. long, and minute lobes. Corolla-lobes linear-lanceolate, 2-3 cm. long; female flowers very small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

159Adenopus breviflorus Benth.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves palmately 5-lobed, apiculate. Flowers yellow, 1½ to 2 in. across; male flower: stamens 3, monadelphous. Fruit ovoid, mottled green when young, scarlet when ripe, size of a large egg.

Blue Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Melut); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Yabo River).

160Lagenaria vulgaris Seringe.

Musk-scented climbing herbs; tendrils forked. Leaves orbicular-cordate, more or less 3-7 lobed, toothed, 1-6 in. broad. Male flower solitary 2-5 in. diameter, white; filaments 3, free; anthers flexuous, cohering. Female flower smaller. Fruit woody.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.); Between Berber & Khartoum.

161Luffa cylindrica Linn. LUFA—Arab.

Semi-woody climber; tendrils forked. Leaves palmately 5-7 lobed, denticulate. Flowers yellow, about 2 in. across. Anthers in male flower much twisted and divided; filaments dilated at the base. Fruit mottled green when young, brown when ripe, with a dehiscing cap.

[100]Khartoum Prov. (Cultivated); White Nile Prov. (12° N. Lat.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (wild).

Fruit called LIF in Arabic, when wild about 6 in. long; when cultivated up to 18 in. long. The fibrous, spongy substance which fills the fruit is used as a substitute for a sponge or brush, also for inside soles of shoes and the manufacture of sun helmets. The pulp is edible; an oil is obtained from the seeds, which are also emetic and cathartic.

L. echinata Roxb. WASSI, ARSH & UMSHWEIKA (White Nile)—Arab.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils forked. Leaves orbicular-reniform, 2-4 in. broad, scabrid, shallow-toothed. Flowers yellow, 1 in. diameter. Male flower anthers 3 flexuous; female flower 1-3 together. Fruit 1 in. long echinate.

Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Bahr El Zeraf), Red Sea Prov. (Khor Gateb).

The fruit is said to have purgative properties and to be a remedy for dropsy. A mixture of the spongy tissue of the fruit and of milk (known by the Sudanese as “Wassi purgative”) is taken by barren women to stimulate pregnancy.

162Eureiandra Schweinfurthii Cogn.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves deeply trilobed, about 3 in. broad, scabrid. Stamens 5, much twisted. Fruit narrowly, 2 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

163Momordica pterocarpa Hochst.

Climbing herb. Leaves digitate, 5-fol.; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, obliquely cordate, 2-4 in. long. Male flowers crowded at end of a peduncle with a hooded green bract ¾ in. long; corolla yellow, 1 in. diameter; anthers 3, cells nearly straight. Female flower solitary, ebracteate. Fruit 2-3 in. long, ovoid, pointed, with 8-10 short wings, red when ripe.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

M. Balsamina Pinn. (EL) SHA’ALUK & (EL) YEIR (Blue Nile), (EL) ERRA (N. Kordn.) & BEYLÄSĀN (Egypt), TAMR EL ABID—Arab.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves palmate, 3-5 lobed. Flowers monœcious; male flower solitary on bracteate peduncle, yellow or white, centre black, anthers flexuous. Fruit fleshy, beaked, red when ripe, 1-3 in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat & Karora); Blue Nile, Fung, Darfur & Kordofan Provinces.

The fruit is eaten, especially by the Fellata. In Syria it is used for curing wounds. The leaves are cooked and eaten; they are said also to be good camel fodder.

[101]M. Charantia Linn.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves palmately 7-9-fid, cordate. Flowers yellow, monœcious, on long, slender peduncles, with a reniform bract near the base. Fruit about 1½ in. long, ovoid-fusiform, with longitudinal tubercled lines, with a decurved beak, orange when ripe; seeds enclosed in scarlet pulp.

Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

M. Schimperiana Naudin.

Herbaceous climber. Leaves ovate, cordate, dentate. Fruit size of an egg, covered with soft bristles, scarlet when ripe.

Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

M. Morkorra A. Rich.

Glabrous or pubescent climber. Leaves ovate, cordate, 3-5 in. long; tendrils simple. Flowers monœcious; corolla rotate, yellow, 2 in. broad. Fruit ovoid, red when ripe, densely hairy, 1-2 in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Roseires & Fazoghli); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas and Niamniam-land, by the Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro).

M. multiflora Hook. f.

Slender climber. Leaves ovate, cordate, faintly sinuate-toothed, 2-6 in. long; tendrils simple or forked. Male flowers many on solitary or paired peduncles, hairy; corolla ¾ in. diameter; yellow; anthers 3, cells curved. Fr. ovoid, red, crowned with dried flower.

Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

M. Cymbalaria Fenzl.

Climber with woody, tuberous root. Leaves orbicular-reniform, 1-2 in. broad, fleshy, 5-7 lobed; tendrils simple. Male flower racemose, hairy; corolla 5-lobed, ½ in. diameter, yellow; filaments 2, one 2- and one 3-cleft; cells twisted. Fr. spindle-shaped, 8-ribbed, greenish.

Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Mongalla Prov.

The tubers are used to procure abortion.

164Cucumis Melo Linn. AGUR or AJUR (N. Kordn., Wild form), FAGUS (Sweet Senat), AJUR (Bitter Senat), also SENAT, SENAT-TIBISH, & SENAT AJUR (Kordn.), AJUR EL KELB (Meshra El Zeraf) & SHAMMAM—Arab The Sweet Melon.

Prostrate or climbing, prickly herb. Leaves cordate, reniform or ovate, 3-5 lobed, irregularly toothed, scabrid, ½ to 1 in. long. Male flower fascicled 1 to many, small, yellow; anthers 3, cells twisted, connective produced, oblong, serrate. Fruit ovoid-globose, greenish-yellow.

Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Abu Selem); Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Khartoum, Fung, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces. Cultivated and also wild.

[102]C. Figarei Del.

Trailing and climbing herb; tendrils simple. Leaves scabrid, 5-7 deeply lobed, toothed, 1-2 in. diameter. Flowers hairy, yellow, small. Fruit broad ovoid, covered with blunt tubercles.

Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Omareg); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Nyemati, Jebelein); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Mulbes); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi, Shambe); Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

C. Prophetarum Linn. HABASHKOL (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Annual climber with stiff, rough hairs. Leaves 3-5 lobed, 1¼ in. broad. Male flower yellow, hairy; anthers 3, appendaged. Fruit broad ovoid; green, with pale longitudinal bands, covered with soft spines, 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.

The fruit is bitter and is used as an emetic.

C. dipsaceus Ehrenb. AJUR EL GHAZAL (Meshra El Zeraf) & AJUR—Arab; APET (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka; ABDALOUR—Jur; ABERTGH (Meshra El Zeraf)—Shilluk.

Slender herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves rounded or oblong-reniform, entire or shallowly 3-5 lobed; scabrid, 2-4 in. broad; petioles bristly. Male flower hairy; anthers appendaged. Fr. broadly ovoid, ½ in. long, densely bristly.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola Prov. (Old Dongola to Merowe); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Dinder mouth); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Meginas); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

C. sativus Linn. KHIAR—Arab. The Cucumber.

Climbing herb, stem hispid. Leaves 3-5 lobed. Fruit fusiform-oblong, green, tubercled.

Cultivated everywhere.

C. metuliferus E. Mey.

Herbaceous climber. Leaves palmately 3-5 lobed, toothed, stiffly pubescent, 2-4 in. diameter each way. Male flower: anthers 3-appendaged. Fruit long, ovoid, 3-5 in. long, with scattered stout conical prickles, orange when ripe.

Blue Nile & Mongalla Provinces. Cultivated.

C. Pepo DC. ARAA or GARAA KOSSA—Arab.

Prostrate herb. Leaves deeply 5-lobed. Petioles and leaf-nerves prickly. Fruit oblong, large.

Cultivated. Vegetable Marrow.

165Bryonopsis laciniosa Linn.

Slender climber; tendrils forked. Leaves 5-7 in. broad, 5-7 lobed, cordate, scabrid, serrate. Male and female flowers in the same leaf axil; corolla campanulate, small, yellow;[103] stamens 3, anthers cohering, flexuous. Fruit globose, 1 in. diameter, green, striped with yellow.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.).

166Mukia scabrella Arn.

Hispid herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves cordate, almost triangular. Flowers monœcious, small, yellow, male and female together in axillary clusters. Fruit almost globose, with a few scattered hairs, ½ in. diameter, scarlet.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Between Suakin & Berber (Gireshab); Upper White Nile Prov. (opposite Tonga Mission); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

Used medicinally on the West Coast as an aperient and sudorific, and also for flatulency.

167Zehneria cordifolia Schwfth.

Slender climber. Leaves cordate or triangular-cordate, 1½-2 in. diameter. Male and female flowers in the same axil. Flowers white. Fruit a berry, ¼ in. diameter, globose.

Bahr El Jebel (Sudd); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Mbomu, near the Lesi R.).

168Melothria deltoidea Benth.

Slender trailing or climbing plant. Leaves triangular-hastate. Flowers white, monœcious; anthers distinct; fruit almost fusiform. Tendrils simple.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

M. tridactyla Hook. f.

Very slender thread-like branches. Leaves deltoid, very thin, 2 in. long and broad, scabrid-warted on both sides; tendrils thread-like. Flowers very small, on slender racemes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Boddo River, 3729 Schwfth).

169Kedrostis foetidissima Cogn. SHA’ALUK—Arab.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves broadly ovate, cordate, 1-3 in. Flowers small, male in slender racemes, female solitary, monœcious. Fruit fœtid, rugose, beaked, orange coloured when ripe.

Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dinka-land, Djuiho).

The root is used for curing piles and asthma. The berry is used as cure for sore throat, also when pounded up is given to sick cattle. The stem is dried and pounded and used for mixing with snuff.

K. sp.

Small climber with yellow flowers.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).

170Corallocarpus Fenzlii Hook. f.

Prostrate herb. Leaves orbicular, 3-5 lobed, 3-4 in. diameter. Fruit ovoid, long beaked, fleshy, scarlet.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

[104]C. erostris Hook. f.

Prostrate herb. Leaves orbicular, obtusely 5-angled. Fruit hardly or not at all beaked, scarlet.

Nubian Coast; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi Soturba).

C. Gijef Hook. f.

Prostrate; stem woody. Leaves scabrid, reniform, ovate, ¾ in. diameter, 3-lobed, distantly toothed, scabrid-glandular; tendrils stout, corky, white. Flowers small, greenish-yellow. Fruit very short beaked, scarlet.

Sudan North (Between Berber & Red Sea, in Wadis); Kassala Prov. (J. Kirureb); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Kaija Nuba).

C. Ehrenbergii Hook. f.

Prostrate. Leaves deeply 3-5 lobed. Fruit beak slender, ½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin).

C. etbaicus Hook. f.

Prostrate; stem angular. Leaves 3-5 lobed, 1-2 in. diameter, ashy grey. Fruit short-beaked, ½-⅔ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba).

171Ctenolepis fimbristipula K. & P.

Herbaceous climber; tendrils simple. Leaves deeply 5-lobed. Fruit size of a cherry, when ripe red, with white markings. Stipular bracts, broad, fringed.

Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Mulbes); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

172Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. BATTIKH—Arab. The Watermelon.

Climbing or trailing herb; tendrils 2-3-fid. Leaves glabrous or slightly hairy, palmately 3 or 7-lobed; lobes pinnatifid. Fruit globular, up to size of a man’s head, green.

Cultivated everywhere on river banks and sandbanks.

The natives of the Bahr El Ghazal Prov. grow amongst their rain crops an inedible variety called KOREISH BATTIKH (Arab) or DITIRA (Zande), and extract an edible oil from the seeds.

C. Colocynthis Schrad. HANDAL—Arab; DUAB—Nuer.

Climbing, or more usually, prostrate herb. Leaves much as above, but scabrid on both surfaces. Fruit globose, the size of a cricket ball, intensely bitter.

North Sudan.

The Colocynth Fruit, or Bitter Apple of Commerce. The pulp is extracted and exported, it possesses powerful cathartic properties and is widely used in medicine. In the Sudan a tar is obtained from the fruit with which water bags are dressed in order to prevent camels from tearing them open. The powdered pulp, either alone or mixed with Black Pepper, is used as a preventative against the Clothes Moth.

173[105]Cephalandra indica Naud.

Climbing perennial; tendrils simple; stem angular and grooved. Leaves usually broad cordate-ovate, more or less deeply 5-lobed, glabrous. Flowers diœcious, solitary, axillary; stamens 3, anthers connate. Fruit ovoid-oblong, slightly beaked, scarlet.

Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé & Mongalla).

The scarlet, oblong fruit, is eaten both raw or cooked. The juice of the tap-root is used for diabetes.

C. Moghadd Aschers. MUGHAD—Arab.

Climbing. Leaves pentagonal or sub-5-lobed to nearly the middle, dentate, with glandular teeth, very acute, up to 4½ in. long, closely scabrid-warted all over; tendrils slender, undivided. Flowers fairly large, with spreading gamopetalous corolla. Fruits oblong, fibrous, 2½ in. long.

White Nile Prov.

C. quinqueloba Schrad. MUGHAD (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Prostrate or climbing herb; tendrils simple. Leaves deeply 5-lobed, 3-5 in. broad, with glands at base of nerves. Flowers diœcious. Male flower solitary or subcymose; stamens 3; anthers connate, twisted. Female flower solitary, white or yellow. Fruit oblong-ovoid.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bara); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nuer & Dinka Country); Sudd Country (Hillet El Nuer).

Fruit edible.

C. diversifolia Naud.

Prostrate or climbing herb. Leaves 1-6 in. broad, upper ovate-cordate, acuminate, toothed; lower palmately, deeply 3-5 lobed, hispid. Male flower, corolla broadly campanulate; stamens 3, filaments partly free. Fruit ovoid, marbled red, white and yellow.

Between Suakin & Berber (J. Okurr); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

174Cucurbita maxima Duchesne. ARAA- or GARAA-STAMBULI or -AASSALI (Egypt)—Arab. Pumpkin.

Creeping herb. Leaves large, 5-lobed. Fruit large.

CARICACEÆ.

175Carica Papaya Linn. PIPI—Zande. Paw-Paw.

Small, soft-wooded tree, showing leaf-scars on the stem. Leaves large palmatifid. Fruit of female tree almost sessile on stem close to base of the leaves, the size of a small melon, the orange-yellow pulp of which is eaten.

Introduced. Cultivated in gardens.

Fruit edible, possesses a digestive principle called Papain, similar to Pepsin, which is marketed as a drug.

[106]CACTACEÆ.

176Opuntia Dillenii Haw. BRITTEIN—Hadendowa.

Succulent subarborescent plants with more or less prickly, jointed stems and branches; joints flat, obovate. Flowers from upper edge of joints, yellow, tinged with red, 2-3 in. across. Fruit pyriform, edible when ripe.

The Prickly Pear, cultivated and sub-wild. Originally introduced from America.

OCHNACEÆ.

177Ochna Schweinfurthiana F. Hoffm.

A tree, 25 ft. high. Leaves oblanceolate, widely emarginate, about 3½ in. long and 1½ in. broad, serrulate, many-nerved; flowers clustered, long-pedicellate; sepals 1 cm. long; fruits 1 cm. long, reticulate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Deragoh).

O. ardisioides Webb.

Small or middle-sized tree, with coriaceous leaves; flowers in twos, on old wood. Style 4-5-fid.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Roseires).

O. leucophlœos Hochst.

Tortuous shrub. Leaves coriaceous, closely serrulate, 3-6 in. long. Flowers 3-10 together, on old wood, yellow; anthers dehiscing by pore-like slits.

Fung Prov.

O. sp.

Shrub, with dark bark; leafless at time of flowering; flowers white.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Between Wau & Deim Zubeir).

O. sp.

Mittu-land (Derago).

178Lophira alata Banks. TANGA—Dinka & Jur, ZAWA—Zande.

Tree with long, glossy leaves; fruit like a shuttlecock, usually 3-winged. Flowers white or yellow, in terminal pyramidal panicles.

Mongalla Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (from Wau southwards).

The seeds yield an oil which is used in cooking, for hair oil and for making soap. The wood is very hard and heavy (density 1.1), difficult to work. It is dark brown in colour, and is suitable for heavy joinery and sleepers.

179Ouratea Arnoldiana De Wild & Dur.

Gomphia Arnoldiana DC.

Shrub or tree. Leaves oblong-oblanceolate, acutely acuminate, about 6 in. long, 2 in. broad, with very numerous but[107] obscure parallel nerves, minutely and distantly toothed; flowers yellow, few in racemes, shorter than the leaves.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole River).

O. densiflora De Wild & Dur.

Gomphia densiflora DC.

Shrub or tree. Leaves oblong-obovate, very shortly acuminate, about 6 in. long, 2½-3 in. broad, rather closely serrulate, with rather distant lateral nerves; flowers in lax panicles longer than the leaves.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku Stream).

180Sauvagesia erecta Linn.

Small herb. Leaves lanceolate or oblong, serrulate; stipules persistent, pectinate-ciliate. Flowers small, white, rose or violet; fertile stamens 5; staminodes in two rows, inner of 5 petaloid, and outer of numerous capitate hairs. Capsule 3-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dokuttu: Bongo-land, to Congo).

The plant is very mucilaginous.

DIPTEROCARPACEÆ.

181Monotes Kerstingii Gilg. MELLA—Dinka.

Small tree; fruit surrounded by the enlarged ring-like sepals. Leaves elliptic, rounded at both ends, with about 12 pairs of lateral nerves, softly white tomentose below, about 4 in. by 2¾ in.; flowers small, in axillary cymes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: East of Tonj, Bongo-land & Dar Fertit).

MYRTACEÆ.

182Syzygium guineense DC. KORONGO, AGUA or AGUD—Golo; KULOH or KULA—Jur; SANAMBIRI—Zande.

Two types: (a) A large tree with heavy foliage. Leaves ovate-oblong, short-acuminate. Flowers pale yellow, fragrant. (b) Small tree with ovate or obovate leaves. Flowers white.

Fung Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 4-8,000 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces: Jur-land & Mittu-land: Kuragera.

A good timber tree; wood red, hard, even-grained, durable; fruit a small, purple edible berry. Leaves aromatic when bruised.

183Psidium pomiferum Don. The Guava tree.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves opposite, oblong or elliptic-oblong. Peduncles axillary, about 1½ in. long, with 1-3 flowers; flowers white. Fruit oblong, size of a small lemon, strongly aromatic when ripe.

Introduced from West Indies. Grown in gardens.

[108]MELASTOMATACEÆ.

184Osbeckia saxicola Gilg.

Hispid pilose herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acute, up to 7 cm. long, long setose-pilose on both surfaces. Flowers paniculate, rose. Fruits urn-shaped, calyx deciduous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Niamniam-land: by Nambia Brook, near the Kishi).

O. senegambiensis Guill. & Perr.

Small shrub; branches 4-angled, scabrid; nodes with long-spreading bristles. Leaves opposite, elliptic to lanceolate, with 3 parallel nerves. Flowers ¾ in. diameter, rose or purple, usually 5-merous, in terminal racemes; anthers 10, 2-tubercled at base. Capsule enclosed in 10-ribbed, bristly calyx-tube.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near the Pongo River between Wau & Chak-Chak).

185Antherotoma Naudini Hook. f.

Small herb, stem 4-angled. Leaves opposite, in few pairs, ovate, ½ in. long. Flowers small, 4-merous, surrounded by a 4-leaved involucre; lobes of calyx alternating with bristles; stamens 8-10, with connective produced below, 2-tubercled at base, anthers opening by large pores. Capsule membranous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai & Dar Fertit: near the Kuru River).

186Dissotis petiolata Hook. f.

Shrub. Leaves 4-6 in. long, elliptic, with 5-parallel nerves, opposite. Flowers solitary or 2 together, 5-merous, pink or purple, enclosed in leafy bracts, anthers 8-10, some longer, incurved, connective produced, as long as anther-cells. Capsule 5-valved, with a minute ring of bristles.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

D. capitata (Vahl) Hook. f. var. Barteri Hook. f.

Small shrub, scabrid, 4-angled. Leaves 3-5 in. long, opposite, 5-7 parallel-nerved. Flowers in small bracteate heads; stamens and capsule as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Khor Tela: between Tonj & Wau).

D. phæotricha Triana. (Osbeckia postpluvialis Gilg).

Hispid herb, 6-8 in. high, 4-angled. Leaves 2 in. long, oblong with 3-5 parallel nerves. Flowers 4-merous, capitate; bracts small, pectinate, with bristles; calyx bristly; petals purple, obovate; anthers of 2 lengths; connective short, 2-fid, shorter; stamens 2-tubercled at base. Capsule as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: near Kulengo, Jur Ghattas).

D. rotundifolia ex Gilg. (D. prostrata Triana).

Herb. Leaves ovate, 3-nerved, about 1¼ in. long, ¾ in. broad, slightly pubescent. Flowers few, rose; calyx lobes lanceolate,[109] acute, ⅓ in. long. Fruits nearly glabrous, ⅓ in. long, calyx persistent.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Atazilli).

D. Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Bushy plant, 4 ft. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, 1½-3 in. long, ¾-1 in. broad, hispidulous, 5-nerved. Flowers with 2 large bracts at the base, mauve; calyx densely covered with very hairy bristles; smaller lobes between the calyx lobes.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

D. scabra Gilg.

Herb, 3-4 ft., stems subquadrangular. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 4 in. long, 1½-2 in. broad, scabrid above, scabrid-puberulous below. Flowers in terminal cymes. Calyx with numerous disk-like processes outside, setose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: between Tonj & Duguru & Niamniam-land: Kulensho).

187Tristemma roseum Gilg.

Branchlets slender, glabrous. Leaves elliptic, acute, 2½ in. long, 1 in. broad, slightly setulose. Involucres sessile. Receptacle glabrous. Calyx lobes obtuse. Flowers rose.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Assika River).

T. Incompletum R. Br.

Erect, bristly shrub; branches 4-angled. Leaves opposite, elliptic to lanceolate, 4-6 in. long, 5-7 nerved, hairy. Flowers capitate, enclosed in broad, hairy bracts. Receptacle with a single ring of bristles. Petals ¼ in., white or pink; stamens 10, mostly equal, with 1 pore, 2-tubercled; crown of ovary bristly. Fruit dry.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

T. papillosum Gilg.

Erect shrub, bristly; branches 4-angled. Leaves opposite, elliptic to lanceolate, 4-6 in. long, 5-7 nerved, hairy. Flowers capitate, enclosed in leafy bracts. Receptacle quite glabrous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

T. grandifolium Gilg.

Branches setose. Leaves ovate-elliptic, acuminate, pubescent on both surfaces, 5 in. long, 2½ in. broad. Involucres sessile, 4-7 flowered. Receptacle with 2 rings of hairs.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

COMBRETACEÆ.

188Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. DAROT or DURŪT—Arab; KOTWANG (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Tree, 60 ft. high. Leaves alternate, 1 ft. or more long, ovate, tips sometimes reflexed. Flowers small, green or white, in lax axillary spikes; petals (as in others of this genus) 0;[110] stamens 10, in 2 rows. Fruit 2-winged, 3-4 in. long, 1 in. broad.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

Exudes a gum. Bark burnt as perfume by Sudanese women. Wood handsome and close grained, has been sold as Teak.

T. near macroptera Guill. & Perr. SIORO—Golo.

Young leaves purplish, slightly pubescent, mature elliptic, cuneate at each end, about 9 in. long, 3-3½ in. broad, at length quite glabrous. Flowers and fruits not seen.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

T. laxiflora Engl. GURFA—Bongo.

Medium tree. Leaves elliptic, rounded at the base, about 6 in. long and 3 in. broad, glabrous. Spikes axillary, very slender, 5-6 in. long. Fruit 2-winged, 3 in. long, 1 in. broad. Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Khor Dehab, Blue Nile.

T. Schweinfurthii Eng. & Diels. DURŪT—Arab; LINGA—Dinka.

Very similar to preceding, but leaves very unequal-sided and cuneate at the base and narrowed to the apex.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: near the Gendua River); Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Seneina, near J. El Amira & Singukai); Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

T. aff. T. Schweinfurthii Eng. & Diels. TAMAREIB (Kordn.)—Arab.

Leaves verticillate, ovate to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, sub-cuneate at the base, 3-4 in. long, strongly reticulate and tomentellous below. Fruits narrowly oblong, 2½ in. long, ¾ in. broad, flat, glabrous.

Kordofan Prov. (near Um Ruaba).

T. salicifolia Schwfth.

Stems and leaves glaucous, glabrous. Leaves lanceolate, acute at both ends, 6 in. long, 1-1¾ in. broad, finely reticulate below. Spikes axillary. Young fruit pubescent.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

T. torulosa F. Hoffm.

Tree, 30 ft. Leaves elliptic, rounded at each end, about 9 in. long and 5 in. broad, softly tomentose below and strongly nerved. Spikes about 4 in. long, tomentose. Fruit 3 in. long, 1 in. broad, tomentellous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

T. sp.

Tree, 15 ft. high. Leaves broadly elliptic, rounded at each end, 8 in. long and 5 in. broad, reticulate and sparsely pubescent below, with about 15 pairs of lateral nerves. Flowers and fruit not seen.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, III 228 Schwfth).

[111]T. Spekei Rolfe.

Small tree with rough bark, 10 to 20 ft. high. Leaves elongate oblong-obovate, about 12 in. long and 4 in. broad, very densely and softly tomentose below, with very strong lateral nerves. Fruits oblong-elliptic, 3 in. long, 1½ in. broad, tomentellous.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

T. splendida Engl. & Diels. DURŪT—Arab; FIOK or PHUK—Dinka; TO & FIAWE—Golo; FIOK & POH—Jur; GURFA—Bongo; BAKAIPUR—Zande.

Tree, 50 ft. high, with rough bark. Leaves large, elliptic, slightly narrowed at each end, 9 in. long, 4 in. broad, leathery, softly tomentose below.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

Bark rough; when powdered, is used as snuff by Sudanese women. This species is very resistant to grass fires.

T. Brownei Fresen. SUBAKH & SUBARAYA—Arab; TAHAT—Rashida; ’MBRA—Nuba.

Large tree, with delicate branch tracery; old bark rough, young bark smooth, whitish. Fruit 2-winged, purplish-red, up to 3 in. long. Leaves in large tufts near the ends of branches, broadly lanceolate or elliptic acuminate.

Fung Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 5,200 ft.); Kordofan Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

T. sericea Burch.

Small tree; bark steel coloured; the whole covered with silky pubescence. Leaves crowded in pseudo-verticils, oblanceolate-cuspidate. Fruit 2-winged, roundish-ovate, rusty-velvety, 1 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Biri River).

T. sp. 1337 Schwfth.

Shrub, with viscid young parts. Leaves (very young) ovate-elliptic, small, with about 5 pairs of lateral nerves, pubescent on the midrib. Spikes short.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

T. glabra Roxb.

Very large tree with smooth bark, flaking off in large pieces. Leaves sub-opposite. Fruit 1½ in. long, 5-winged.

Introduced.

Exudes a gum. The timber is light-brown in colour and fairly strong, but does not resist white ants. The bark is sometimes used for dyeing; it is also considered tonic and astringent. A fine white lime-like ash is obtained by burning the bark.

T. Dawei Rolfe.

Small tree. Leaves elongate-obovate, up to 12 in. long and 4 in. broad, with numerous lateral nerves. Flowers not seen. Fruits red, glaucous, flat, 4 in. long, 1¾ in. broad.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

189[112]Anogeissus leiocarpus Guill. & Perr. SAHABA (Kordofan) & SEILAG—Arab; DARO—Rashida; SHIRGI (Dilling), KÏRĪD (J. Eliri) & TAMURU (Kadugli)—Nuba; SINGA & M’BA—Golo; KHAI—Hameg; AMMET (Goz El Siada)—Dinka; YIN—Burun; MET—Nuer; SIRINGA—Bongo; BANGA—Zande.

Tall, graceful tree, with slender drooping branches and smooth bark which flakes off. Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate. Flowers in globose heads, small; petals 0; fruit small, coriaceous, broadly 2-winged.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Darfur Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

Timber white, strong, elastic, useful for building carts, implements, etc. Not suitable for railway sleepers. The roots are rich in tannin and the wood ashes are used in W. Africa as a mordant for fixing dyes. Yields an insoluble gum.

A. near leiocarpus Guill. & Perr. SAHABA—Arab.

Differs chiefly by its more marked heartwood.

Kordofan Prov.

Timber dark, hard and capable of taking a good polish.

190Gulera senegalensis Lam. OBEISH or RUBEISH—Arab; KŪĪ (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Small tree or shrub with downy branches, the whole plant minutely black dotted. Leaves opposite, oval, subcordate, cuspidate. Flowers in pedunculate involucrate heads. Fruit densely clothed with very long silky hairs, making a fluffy head.

Kordofan, Darfur & Nuba Mts. Provinces.

Good camel fodder.

191Combretum trichanthum Fresen. TARŌB—Rashida; SHĀF—Hadendowa.

Small tree; young branches pubescent. Leaves opposite, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 4-8 in. long, densely hairy when young. Flowers 4-merous, small, in axillary spikes; petals obdeltoid, minutely fringed stamens 8, in 2 rows; fruit 4-5 winged, ¾ in. long.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

C. Hartmannianum Schwfth. HABIL (White Nile), SUBAKH or SUBAKH SODA (Fung)—Arab; KARSO (J. Daier), HAGGIARN (Dilling), KWAE (J. Eliri) & N’DARU (Kadugli)—Nuba.

Small to fairly large tree. Leaves opposite, long acuminate-caudate. Flowers: calyx 4-lobed; petals 4, minute; stamens 8, in 2 rows. Fruit 4-winged.

Fung Prov. (Roseires & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Nuba Mts. Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

Exudes a gum. The timber is said to be good. Some portions of the tree are used as perfume by the Nuba.

[113]C. lecananthum Engl. & Diels. M’NA—Golo; DERA—Jur.

Small tree. Leaves oblong-elliptic, 4 in. long, 1-1¾ in. broad, thin, glabrous. Racemes shorter than the leaves, slender. Fruits broadly elliptic, 1 in. long, 4-winged, glabrous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

C. multispicatum Engl. & Diels. HABIL—Arab; MANĀ or TEPELU—Golo; GŎK—Nuer.

Moderate-sized tree; branchlets and leaves pubescent, the latter alternate, broadly oblong-elliptic, mucronate, 4 in. long, 1¾ in. broad, glossy when young. Flowers paniculate, pubescent, small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo & Jur-lands).

C. ghasalense Engl. & Diels. HABIL—Arab; TEPELU—Golo; BAZE—Zande.

Moderate-sized tree. Leaves in whorls of 3, oblong-elliptic, acute at both ends, 3 in. long, 1¼ in. broad, glabrous and closely reticulate on both surfaces. Flowers in short panicles, crowded.

Kordofan Prov. (Fertangul); Darfur Prov., Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

The smoke from the wood is used as perfume by Sudanese women.

C. brunneum Engl. & Diels.

Small tree, 20 ft. high; branchlets glabrous. Leaves opposite, ovate-lanceolate, rounded or subcordate at the base, obtuse and emarginate at the apex, 2-2½ in. long, about 1 in. broad, reddish-brown and closely reticulate when dry. Fruits sub-orbicular, 4-winged, ¾ in. broad.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Mittu-land).

C. undulatum Wall. SUBAKH or SUBAKH BEIDA (Fung)—Arab; BOGWEH—Bari; BAZI—Hameg.

Tree, 40 ft. high: branchlets glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 3, oblong-elliptic, acute, 6 in. long, 2 in. broad, undulate, glossy or viscid when young. Flower paniculate, small, hairy.

Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Ghebeish); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Kutshuk Ali & Mittu-land: Ngama); Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Thombé).

The smoke from the wood is used as perfume by Sudanese women.

C. glutinosum Perr.

Small tree. Leaves in whorls of 3 or 4. Fruit 4-winged. Flowers small, pubescent, greenish-white, on small axillary spikes.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

C. cordofanum Engl. & Diels.

Leaves obovate-elliptic, acutely acuminate, 6 in. long, 2½ in. broad, softly tomentose below. Fruits thinly winged, oblong, truncate at the base, 1 in. long, ¾ in. broad, puberulous.

Kordofan Prov. (Um Dajog).

[114]C. gallabatense Schwfth.

Middle-sized tree. Leaves about 6 in. long, lanceolate, hoary pubescent.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

C. Schweinfurthii Engl. & Diels.

Tree. Leaves variable, from 1½ in. long, obovate to 12 in. long, broadly lanceolate, acute to acuminate. Fruit 4-winged.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Ngoli & Niamniam-land, by the Gumango).

C. verticillatum Engl.

Small tree, branchlets rusty tomentellous. Leaves in whorls of 4, lanceolate-elliptic, long acuminate, about 8 in. long and 2 in. broad, shortly pubescent and rather densely lepidote-glandular below. Flower-spikes axillary, 2½ in. long. Fruits 4-winged, ¾ in. long, tomentose between the wings.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Bongo-land: Gir).

C. bongense Engl.

Shrub with sweet-smelling flowers. Leaves clustered ovate-lanceolate, subacute, 3½ in. long, 1½ in. broad, very densely lepidote below, with tufts of hairs in the axils of the leaves. Spikes simple, 3 in. long, tomentose. Fruits broadly elliptic, 1¼ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Dakuttu); Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Debri).

C. adenogonium Steud.

Tree. Leaves usually ternate, ovate to lanceolate, downy beneath, leaving deep scars after falling off. Flowering branches leafless. Flowers small on short woolly spikes. Fruit 4-5-winged, about 1 in. long, shining.

Darfur Prov.

C. populifolium Engl. & Diels. BEMBU—Golo.

Shrub or tree, 20 ft. high. Leaves in whorls of 3, elliptic, sub-acuminate, 3 in. long, 1½ in. broad, densely lepidote below. Fruits suborbicular, 1 in. broad, densely rusty-lepidote.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land; S.W. of Old Wau).

C. splendens Engl.

Branchlets softly pubescent. Leaves ovate, more or less slightly cordate at the base, acute, about 5 in. long and 3 in. broad, softly pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers crowded in short spikes, hairy. Fruits elliptic, lepidote, 1¼ in. long.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, mid-zone).

C. lepidotum Hochst.

Tree; branches compressed, scaly. Leaves opposite, ovate, acute, 2-4 in. long, viscid, glandular above and densely scaly beneath. Flowers in axillary spikes of the length of the leaves. Fruit lepidote.

Fung. Prov.

[115]C. collinum Fresen. UM-SUMAIN—Arab; ARGADA—Hameg.

Small tree; fruit 4-winged. Leaves sub-opposite, 3-5 in. long, ovate to elliptical, sparingly scaly above, densely so beneath. Flowers small in simple axillary spikes shorter than the leaves.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).

C. parvulum Engl. & Diels.

Undershrub from a woody rhizome. Leaves oblong, rounded at both ends, very mucronate, 3½ in. long, very strongly reticulate below, pubescent between the veins. Flowers few and clustered at the ends of the peduncle. Fruits broadly elliptic, with membranous wings 1 in. long, puberulous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit).

C. paniculatum Vent.

Climber with large panicles of small scarlet flowers. Leaves with twisted stalks, elliptic, 5 in. long, 2½ in. broad, glabrous. Fruits suborbicular, with broad membranous wings about 1 in. across.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Kuddu).

C. capituliflorum Fenzl.

Woody climber. Flowers in globose, densely woolly heads arranged in short terminal and axillary panicles, dull yellow. Leaves opposite or ternate, lanceolate, undulate 4-6 in. long. Fruit 1½ in. long; wings narrow, woody.

Blue Nile Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

C. molle R. Br.

Shrub or small tree; young leaves densely hairy.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Biri River & Deim Zubeir).

C. racemosum Beauv.

Showy shrub, 20 ft. high. Young leaves and flowers carmine.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

C. mittuense Engl. & Diels.

Climber. Leaves oblong-elliptic, acute, about 4 in. long, 2 in. broad, thinly papery, glabrous. Flowers paniculate, with coloured leafy bracts, pale pink, tassel-like; calyx green; stamens carmine. Fruits obovate, with very membranous wings, about 1 in. across.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: by the Roah River).

C. near C. comosum Don.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).

C. aculeatum Vent. SHEKHEIT (Fung), SHUHEIT (Dongola) & SHEHEIT (Kordn.) or SOGHEIT—Arab; MARTE (Dilling) & MINDIGIRI (Kadugli)—Nuba; REGA—Bari.

Scandent shrub. Petioles of leaves persistent, forming decurved spines. Flowers rather small, white; calyx 5-lobed;[116] petals 5; stamens 10; anthers orange. Fruit 4-5-winged.

Dongola Prov. (Wadi Id El Murakh); Berber Prov. (Atbara River: Goz Regeb); Red Sea Prov. (Khors, Karora Hills); Fung. Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Blue Nile Prov. (Upper); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan, Darfur, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

C. platypterum Hutch. & J. M. Diels.

Climber with large panicles of reddish long, tubular flowers, about 1 in. long. Leaves oblong, rounded at the base, 6 in. long, glabrous. Fruits like “Honesty,” orbicular-obovate, broadly winged, about 1½ in. broad.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).

C. sp. (cf. C. altum Guill. & Perr.). KUSI (J. Daier)—Nuba.

Small tree; fruit 4-winged; shoots sometimes twining. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute, 4 in. long, 2 in. broad, glabrous.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Daier). 884 S.G.H.

C. sp. GOAK—Dinka; BOADUN—Burun.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada).

RHIZOPHORACEÆ.

192Rhizophora sp. Probably R. mucronata Lam.

Mangrove. Leaves obovate-elliptic, long-mucronate, leathery, about 4½ in. long and 2 in. broad. Flowers few. Sepals oblong, leathery. Petals hairy inside. Seeds germinating before falling.

Muddy shores of Red Sea, south of Suakin.

193Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Lam.

Tree with smooth bark, marked on young branches with scars of leaves and stipules. Leaves rather thick, oval, bright green. Fruit scarlet, 1 in. long. Seeds germinating before falling.

Muddy shores of Red Sea, south of Suakin.

HYPERICACEÆ.

194Hypericum Lalandii Choisy.

Small tufted herb, under 10 in. high. Leaves lanceolate or linear-oblong, about ¼ in. long, gland-dotted. Flowers yellow in dichotomous cymes.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

H. perforatum Linn.

Somewhat woody plant with perennial stock. Leaves with translucent and some dark dots; corolla yellow with black dots. Stamens polyadelphous.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, over 6,000 ft.).

195[117]Psorospermum salicifolium Engl.

Leaves lanceolate, acute, 2 in. long, ½ in. broad, glabrous. Flowers in small close cymes. Sepals and petals streaked with resin, the latter densely hairy inside.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Kutshuk Ali & Kuragera); Niamniam (Tuhami).

P. senegalense Spach.

Shrub; twigs and young leaves rusty tomentose. Flowers in dense corymbs, white, streaked with brown; stamens 5-adelphous. Leaves opposite or alternate, elliptic.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit).

P. tenuifolium Hook. f.

Glabrous shrub. Leaves elliptic, opposite, opaquely punctate, 2-4 in. long. Flowers in terminal corymbs; stamens 5-7-adelphous.

Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

196Haronga madagascariensis Chois. KAWA (Mongalla Prov.)—Makraka.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves opposite, entire, rusty tomentose when young, ovate-oblong, connected by an interpetiolar ridge. Flowers small, 5-adelphous, in broad terminal corymbose cymes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Khor Tela, between Wau & Tonj, and near the Mongo-longbo stream); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

The fruit is edible; the seeds are used in French Guinea in cookery. The wood is of great beauty, it works well and finishes without trouble. A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the tree. It is found in Mongalla Prov., frequently associated with Berlinia acuminata.

GUTTIFERÆ.

197Garcinia sp.

Branchlets angular, glabrous. Leaves elliptic, shortly acuminate, acute at the base, 3½ in. long, 1½ in. broad, with numerous lateral nerves prominent on both surfaces. Fruits clustered, ⅔ in. long; stalks ½ in. long.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole River).

TILIACEÆ.

198Christiana africana DC.

Tall tree; young parts, leaves, stalks, calyx and carpels covered with dense yellow stellate tomentum. Leaf stalks 3-4 in. long; leaves cordate-ovate or oblong, palmately 5-nerved, 6-12 in. long. Flowers in terminal corymbose cymes. Calyx 3-lobed.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the River Hu).

199[118]Grewia flavescens Burret. GADDEIM (Darfur), UM KHALATOT (Goz El Siada), KHELISAN & YABELAYUS—Arab; KINDAL (J. Eliri)—Nuba; BAMBURTI—Golo.

Straggling shrub with quadrangular stems. Leaves sub-coriaceous, pilose, ovate-oblong, subcordate, coarsely serrate, 2-4 in. long; stipules 2, subulate-lanceolate, deciduous. Peduncles axillary, 2-3 flowered. Petals emarginate. Drupe 1-4 lobed, pilose.

Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Darfur Prov. (Kulme, & J. Marra, 4,000 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Khor Niual: between Chak-Chak & Deim Zubeir & Bongo-land: Addai).

G. venusta Fresen. KURMUZ—Hameg.

Perennial or undershrub, white, stellately tomentose. Leaves roundish oblong, palmately 3-5 nerved, 3-5 in. long. Cymes many flowered, extra axillary. Drupe size of a large pea 2-4 lobed, crustaceous, copper-coloured, pilose.

Blue Nile Prov.

G. Kakothamnos K. Schum.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves obovate-elliptic, serrulate, about 1 in. long, stellate-pubescent. Flowers axillary, subsolitary; pedicels ⅓ in. long, bibracteate above the middle; sepals ½ in. long.

Darfur Prov.

G. salvifolia Heyne. BASHAM (Fung)—Arab; DILI—Burun; KEM (Goz El Siada)—Dinka; BAIDI—Hameg.

Large shrub or small tree; fruit edible, usually 2-lobed. Leaves lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, entire undulate or serrulate. Flowers yellow in axillary fascicles.

Fung Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada).

G. occidentalis Linn.

Small tree. Leaves obliquely ovate, acute, about 2 in. long and 1 in. broad, crenate, nearly glabrous. Flowers 3-4 together in very small umbels; sepals mauve inside, ½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

G. ferruginea Hochst.

A small tree. Leaves obovate-elliptic, acute, very closely crenulate, 4-5 in. long and about 2 in. broad, closely covered with short stellate hairs below. Flowers in threes the middle one opening first; sepals linear-lanceolate, ½ in. long, tomentose; fruits reticulate.

Locality? (fide Mrs. Crowfoot).

G. mollis Juss. BASHAM (Kordn.)—Arab; KUAM (J. Eliri)—Nuba; ULUMBA or EUWI—Golo; KAM—Nuer; POIGO—Zande.

Shrub or small tree, giving out long, semi-scandent shoots. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, with 3 basal nerves. Flowers yellow, solitary. Drupes indistinctly 4-lobed, dark yellow.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts.[119] Prov. (J. Debri & J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Niamniam-land & Jur-land); Red Sea Prov. (Katai Geraita).

The bast yields a fibre; the wood ashes are used as a substitute for salt; the fruit is edible; the wood is used for bows and arrows; it is light red or pink, and very elastic.

G. monticola Sond.? BASHAM (Baggara)—Arab.

Shrub. Leaves oblong, acute, 4 in. long, 1¾ in. broad, glabrescent above, softly tomentellous below, 3-nerved at the base. Fruit the size of a pea, whitish.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Durein & J. Fertangul).

G. betulæfolia Juss. GADDEIM—Arab; HEDDA—Rashida; TOMUT—Hadendowa; KARII (J. Eliri) & ARUING (Rashad—Talodi)—Nuba; ANGALOA—Hameg; AFOR & APOR (Kenissa) & AFWĀR (Renk)—Dinka; OFADOH—Shilluk.

Shrub. Leaves small, somewhat variable, irregularly crenate serrate; flowers white, solitary; fruit orange coloured, 2-4 lobed, edible.

Almost throughout the Sudan, particularly south of Khartoum.

G. erythræa Schwfth.

Shrub. Leaves rounded-obovate, 3-5 nerved at the base, repand-dentate, about 1¼ in. long, slightly stellate-pubescent below. Flowers solitary; calyx ⅓ in. long.

Kordofan Prov. (Darfur boundary on J. Sinin).

G. villosa Willd. TAMR EL ABID & TUKKU (Kordn.), ABU KHALAFOF & GEREIGDAN (Goz el Siada), MUTRAK (Baggara)—Arab; EIGERA (Dilling), LUĪ (J. Eliri) & TUMBU (Kadugli)—Nuba; ANTAMANA-WANSHU—Hameg; ATENDIT (Renk), GUNKEIT & LUBLUB (Goz el Siada)—Dinka; DILMAN & KELAIIN—Burun.

Large shrub with cordate nearly orbicular leaves, 1-4 in. in diameter. Flowers dull-yellow, in compact axillary clusters. Fruit globose, with a brown, stellate hairy rind, edible.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Nuba Mts. Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Mongalla Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

Used for spear shafts (Aylmer).

G. sp. (Glomeratæ) No. 1168 S.G.H. TOMUT—Hadendowa.

Shrub, covered with short, stellate hairs. Leaves ovate-rounded, 1½ in. long, 1¼ in. broad, serrate. Flowers clustered. Buds ¼ in. long, tomentose.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

200Triumfetta lepidota K. Schum.

Erect shrub, 4 ft. high. Leaves suborbicular to oblanceolate, subtrilobed, up to 6 in. wide. Cymes 2-4 to each node. Sepals[120] scaly outside, ¾ in. long. Fruit woody, globose, 8-10 celled, strongly tuberculate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the River Lehsi).

T. micrantha K. Schum.

Leaves lanceolate-oblong, 2½-3 in. long, ½-¾ in. broad, serrulate, tomentose or pubescent below. Sepals stellate-pubescent outside. Fruit with densely pilose prickles, the latter with 2-8 terminal spinules.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi).

T. buettneriacea K. Schum.

Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 2-3 in. long, ⅓-1¼ in. broad, sparingly pilose on both surfaces. Sepals stellate-pubescent outside. Fruit with glabrescent prickles, much broadened at the base, terminated by 1-4 spinules.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas, & Bongoland: Gurfala).

T. flavescens Hochst. DERBAKE—Hadendowa.

Shrubby; stem pilose, black-dotted. Lower leaves stalked; blades roundish, truncate or cordate, acute, irregularly toothed. Flowers yellowish, numerous, in small clusters along the sides and ends of branches. Capsule small, covered with grey down and small, hooked prickles.

Red Sea Prov. (in several places).

T. rhomboidea Jacq. ALLOSEG, ALLUSEIG or LUSEIG—Arab.

Herb with variable, irregularly serrate leaves and small globose fruit covered with prickles, downy. Flowers yellow, small, in spicate inflorescence.

Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla, etc.); Red Sea Prov. (Karora).

Yields a soft, glossy fibre. The mucilage is used as an injection in venereal diseases.

T. annua Linn.

Erect, somewhat pilose, annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves ovate, acuminate, dentate, 3-nerved, on very long stalks. Fruit size of a pea, smooth between the glaucous hooked prickles.

Darfur Prov. (Zalingei).

T. pentandra Guill. & Perr.

Erect, slightly downy herb. Leaves subcordate, slightly 3-5 lobed or roundish-acuminate. Flowers minute, in lateral cymes. Stamens 5-8. Fruit oblong, about ¼ in. long, hairy on the edges of the appressed prickles.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

T. tomentosa Bojer.

Softly hairy perennial or shrub; fruit globose, covered with straight, black spines. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate,[121] slightly cordate, passing gradually into bracts. Flowers small, yellow, numerous in terminal panicles.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

201Honckenya ficifolia Willd.

Handsome-flowered shrub, with purplish branches. Leaves rather variable, usually more or less deeply 3-7 lobed. Flowers large, violet, in terminal racemose cymes. Capsules 1-2 in., 4-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the River Yubbo).

A valuable fibre plant.

202Corchorus tridens Linn.

Annual 1-2 ft.; leaves oblong-linear, coarsely crenate-serrate, the two lowest teeth often prolonged into filiform tails; capsule terminating in 3 spreading or reflexed points.

Between Suakin & Berber; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

C. acutangulus Lam.

Annual; leaves oval or ovate, crenate-serrate, the two lowest teeth often prolonged into filiform tails; fruit 3-winged.

Kordofan Prov. (J. Kon); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).

C. olitorius Linn. MOLOKHIA or MULUKHIA—Arab; MORAMBIDA—Zande.

Annual; leaves ovate-lanceolate, the two lowest serrations produced into fine tails; capsule linear, with a long beak, altogether 1-3 in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Between Khartoum & Berber (El Mesherif); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

Cultivated and wild. It is used as a vegetable, the fibre is inferior to that of the true jute. The plant is also used in native medicine.

C. Antichorus Ræuschel. SUTEIH (Atbara) & UM SHITEIH (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Prostrate or decumbent perennial. Leaves small, roundish, plicate-crenate, palmately 3-nerved. Flowers solitary or in pairs. Capsule 1-1½ in. long, slender, beaked at apex, 4-valved.

Nubia; North Sudan; Berber Prov. (Atbara); Khartoum Prov. (Khartoum); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

The plant is used as a demulcent.

C. fascicularis DC.

Procumbent annual; leaves short-stalked, oblong or lanceolate, 1-2 in. long, 3-nerved. Capsule about ¾ in. long, cylindrical, short-beaked.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Bunzaga); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Gir).

[122]C. trilocularis Linn.

Annual, erect or decumbent. Leaves 1-3 in. long, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate. Pedicels short, 2-3 flowered; petals bright yellow. Capsules 2-3 in. long, 3-4 angled; beak short and straight.

White Nile Prov.

203Glyphæa grewioides Hook. f.

Slightly pilose shrub, 8-12 ft. high. Leaves ovate or oblong, subcordate, 3-nerved. Flowers bright-yellow, in terminal cymes. Fruit oblong or fusiform, indehiscent, 1-2 in. long. Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

STERCULIACEÆ.

204Melhania ferruginea A. Rich.

Woolly herb or undershrub. Leaves longer than the stalks, subcordate oval-oblong, velvety, palmately 3-5 nerved. Epicalyx of 3 broadly-ovate, unilateral segments. Petals convolute, persistent. Capsule pointed; seeds 10 in each cell.

Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé).

M. Denhamii R. Br. DUBAGHA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Undershrub with a false likeness to Senra incana. Leaves as long as leaf-stalks, about 1 in. long, ovate-oblong, velvety. Flowers on axillary peduncles, red. Capsules subglobose, 5-celled, with 1-2 seeds in each cell.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

205Dombeya multiflora Planch.

Shrub. Leaf blades equal to stalks, 1-2 in. long, cordate-roundish or oblong, palmately 5-7 nerved. Inflorescence appearing before the leaves, in stalked axillary cymes. Styled deeply 5-cleft.

Fung & White Nile Provinces.

D. multiflora Pl. var. (a) vestita Schum. GREGDAN (Baggara)—Arab; KINDAMOI (J. Eliri)—Nuba; DERDER—Hameg; POPWA, PURPUR and METEMBOA—Zande.

Shrub or small tree, with palmate leaves and white flowers, which turn pink after being fertilized, the corolla persisting.

Fung Prov.; South Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra N.W. slopes 6,500 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

206Melochia corchorifolia Linn.

Erect herb or undershrub. Stem with a line of somewhat stellate hairs down one side. Leaves variable in size, oblong-ovate to ovate, rounded at base, serrate. Flowers pink, in terminal clusters, pentamerous. Capsules 5-valved, 1 seed to each.

Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper[123] White Nile Prov. (Banks of the White Nile); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).

Kordofan Prov.

var. densiflora K. Schum.

The root-bark is chewed in Kordofan Prov. as a salve for sore lips. The stem yields a fibre, and the leaves are eaten.

207Waltheria americana Linn. ERG EL NĀL (Kordn.)—Arab.

Villose undershrub or tall woody herb; leaves plicate; flowers yellow, in dense sessile axillary fascicles. Sepals 5, connate below; petals 5; ovary 1-celled; ovules 2. Capsule small, enclosed in calyx, membranous, 1-seeded.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

208Hermannia modesta Planch.

Low growing annual, covered with glandular hairs. Leaves subsessile, linear-oblong, obtuse up to 1½ in. long. Flowers in axillary peduncles. Filaments dilated above; styles 5.

Red Sea Prov. (coast); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

H. tigrensis Hochst.

Erect, stellate hairy annual, about 1 ft. high. Leaves subsessile, elliptic-oblong, acute; stipules falcate. Flowers solitary on solitary axillary peduncles; filaments petaloid.

Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid).

209Leptonychia chrysocarpa K. Schum.

Small tree. Leaves oblong-elliptic, obtusely long-acuminate, glabrous, about 6 in. long and 2½ in. broad, entire. Flowers not seen. Fruits axillary, about 3-4 together, depressed globose, stellate-tomentellous, ¾ in. in diameter.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku).

Wood carved for ornaments.

210Sterculia tomentosa Guill. & Perr. UMTELEIH (Baggara)—Arab; KULOWI (J. Eliri); HEIMOR (J. Heiban); FEIDER (Rashad-Talodi); BOKARAK (Kadugli)—Nuba; DA or KANDI—Golo; M’BURU—Zande.

Fairly large tree. Leaves palmate, large. Flowers small, in drooping panicles; petals none. Capsule large, hairy, 3-4 valved. Seeds numerous, brown, with small orange aril.

White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); South Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

Wood white or pale pink, soft, light, perishable. The seeds yield a dark orange-red coloured oil. A fibre is obtained from the bast, and a clear gum exuding from wounds in the bark, partly soluble in water, is used in Europe for dyeing silk fabrics.

S. cinerea A. Rich. TARTAR—Arab; OMFA—Hameg.

Large tree with palmate leaves and scaly bark. Flowers numerous in much-branched axillary panicles. Fruit of[124] 3-5 sessile, reflexed follicles which are downy outside and bristly within. Seeds numerous, black, with yellow aril.

Fung and Kordofan Provinces.

Wood of poor quality. A gum, similar in quality to that of the foregoing, exudes from the bark. Strips from the young plants are used as cordage.

211Cola cordifolia R. Br. KUKUROKU—Zande.

Large tree, 120 ft. Leaves very large, widely rotundate-cordate, entire or slightly lobulate, up to 1 ft. broad, softly stellate-pubescent below, strongly 7-nerved at the base. Cymes fulvous-tomentose. Fruits velvety-tomentose, with large red seeds.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Yei River).

According to Wood in his Report on the Bahr El Ghazal forests, 1922, “this tree is confined to the Southern Bahr El Ghazal, where it is fairly common on banks of streams in the evergreen zone. A very lofty tree, up to 120 ft., with straight stem and large, dense crown. Does not lose its leaves. Bark brown, not very rough; wood white, soft, perishable. Most of the large trees (10 ft. girth) are hollow in the centre.”

BOMBACACEÆ.

212Adansonia digitata Linn. TEBELDI, HOMEIRA, HUMR (Dongola)—Arab; HUMAR—Hadendowa; FAK (J. Daier), TUBERLI (Dilling), KISHAWIYI (J. Eliri), MANSALLO (Kadugli), ORA (Tagele)—Nuba; UFFA—Hameg; DUNGWOL—Dinka; KUSHA—Nuer; GAG—Shilluk; BUL—Burun. The Baobab Tree.

A large tree, often of great girth; bark whitish, shining. Leaves digitately 5-7 fol. Flowers 2-3 in. across, white. Fruit 8-10 in. long, ovoid, filled with fibres and acid mealy pulp, in which the seeds are embedded.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola Prov. (Wadi El Murakh); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Hillet El Shilluk); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (North).

The hollow trunk is used for a reservoir for the storage of rain water, and in some places as a burial place for dead. The bark yields a strong fibre used for ropes, baskets, etc. The fruit, called GONGOLEIS by Arabs, contains a subacid pulp which makes a pleasant drink with water, and is used as a cooling medicine.

213Ceiba pentandra Gaertn. Eriodendron anfractuosum DC. Kapok or Silk Cotton Tree.

Introduced.

Tree; young bark covered with conical prickles. Leaves digitately 8-15 foliolate. Flowers white, 2-8 together in axillary clusters. Capsule 3-4 in. long, densely lined with long silky hairs.

[125]Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov. (Bara); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

The floss surrounding the seed is used for stuffing cushions, lifebelts, etc.

MALVACEÆ.

214Malva parviflora Linn. KHUBBEIZA—Arab.

Herb; stem trailing. Leaves cordate, orbicular, slightly 3-5 lobed, crenate-dentate. Flowers purplish, in axillary, few-flowered clusters. Stamens monadelphous, anthers to top of column; stigmas linear.

Cultivated in most parts.

Cooked as a pot-herb, also used medicinally to allay irritation both externally and internally.

M. verticillata Linn.

Erect herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves cordate, roundish, 5-lobed. Flowers purplish, in dense axillary or terminal clusters. Carpels 10-12 in a whorl, enclosed in accrescent calyx.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

215Malvastrum spicatum A. Gray.

Erect, branching herb, 1-2 ft. high, stellately tomentose. Leaves ovate, crenate-serrate, sometimes lobed. Bracts of epicalyx shorter than calyx. Flowers small, yellow, in a dense terminal, leafy spike; stigmas capitate.

Fung Prov.

M. tricuspidatum A. Gray.

Erect herb, 2-3 ft. high, with adpressed, simple hairs. Leaves long-stalked, ovate-lanceolate, toothed, hairy. Flowers yellow, subsessile in axillary and terminal clusters. Carpels 8-12, each 3-pointed.

Fung Prov.

216Sida urens Linn.

Erect, hirsute perennial. Leaves cordate, ovate-serrate. Flowers usually in dense axillary clusters; epicalyx 0; carpels 5, awnless or with short beaks.

White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab; Bongo-land: Gir).

S. humilis Cav.

Perennial; branches long, prostrate, rooting at the nodes. Flowers pale yellow, under ½ in. diameter. Leaves broad-ovate, cordate, variable in size. Ripe carpels 5, separating from the axis, pointed.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: near Khor Mulmul).

S. spinosa Linn.

Annual or perennial, much branched, often with small, recurved prickles at the nodes below the petioles. Leaves oval to oblong, crenate-serrate. Flowers white, ½ in. in diameter. Ripe carpels 5, with 2 long, rough beaks.

[126]Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Between Khartoum & Berber; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

The leaves are demulcent, the root is a tonic and is used in some cases of cattle disease.

S. cordifolia Linn.

Erect, much branched, semi-shrubby, with silky hair; leaves densely velvety, ovate, cordate; flowers yellow; ripe carpels 10, wrinkled, with 2 straight beaks.

Nubia; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov.

The root and seeds are used in native medicines.

S. rhombifolia Linn.

Shrubby; branches rough with stellate hair. Leaves rhomboid-lanceolate, dentate-serrate above, stellate hairy on under-surface. Flowers yellow; ripe carpels 9-10, beaked or not beaked.

White Nile Prov.; Mongalla Prov.; Darfur Prov. (shady places).

Roots used for rheumatism. Yields an excellent fibre.

S. grewioides Guill. & Perr.

Shrubby plant. Leaves oblong or roundish, cordate, crenate, downy on both surfaces. Flowers small, yellow, axillary, solitary or in pairs; carpels 7-8, indehiscent, beakless or beaked; beaks inflexed.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (River Sobat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé); Mongalla Prov.; Darfur Prov.

S. Schweinfurthii E. G. Baker.

Leaves shortly petiolate, broadly ovate, coarsely and double serrate, cordate, about 4½ in. long and 3 in. broad, shortly stellate-pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers numerous in lax, very slender panicles; pedicels filiform.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: near Mongbo-longbo stream).

217Wissadula rostrata Planch.

Tall, shrubby plant. Leaves cordate. Flowers small, yellow, paniculate; carpels 5, beaked.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov.

Yields a good fibre.

218Abutilon angulatum Mast. AMBORU, UMBARU or UMBORU—Arab; BUTNIEID (Dilling)—Nuba.

Tall, woody herb, up to 8 ft. high. Leaves long-stalked, roundish, cordate, 5-7 nerved, pale on under-surface. Flowers yellow, on loose terminal panicle. Fruit globose, depressed; carpels about 20, obtuse, reniform, 1-seeded.

Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Upper[127] White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Nuba Mountains Prov. (Dilling); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau); Mongalla Prov.

A. graveolens Wight & Arnott. MAKHSHASH EL RIGAL (Baggara)—Arab; DOEIRI (Dilling)—Nuba.

Downy, bushy herb; calyx large, densely pubescent; corolla yellow, sometimes turning pink on withering. Leaves ovate, cordate, somewhat dentate, pubescent, pale beneath. Carpels 20 or more, 3-seeded.

Khartoum to Berber; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mountains Prov.; Red Sea Prov.

The leaves and root are used in medicine; the stems yield a fibre.

A. glaucum Webb. HANBŪK & UMBUR—Arab. The fruit GARGADAN.

Downy undershrub. Corolla yellow, with purple centre. Leaves cordate, 7-9 nerved, irregular dentate, as long as the stalk. Carpels 20 or more, 2-3 seeded.

Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Khartoum Prov. & South.

A. fruticosum Guill. & Perr.

Densely white-downy, much branched, rigid perennial. Leaves small, short-stalked, cordate, denticulate. Peduncles axillary, 1-3 flowered. Carpels 10, persistent, 2-3 seeded.

Red Sea Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

A. ramosum Guill. & Perr.

Erect branching, hairy perennial. Leaves cordate, sometimes 3-lobed, 5-7 nerved, long-stalked. Peduncles axillary and terminal, shorter than leaf-stalks; flowers white or yellow. Carpels 8-10, long 2-awned.

Fung & Kordofan Provinces.

A. bidentatum Hochst.

Erect undershrub with downy branches. Leaves short-stalked, cordate-ovate, denticulate, pilose. Flowers in small axillary panicles. Fruit subglobose; carpels 16-20, each with 2 teeth; seeds 3 in each carpel.

Red Sea, Fung & Kordofan Provinces.

A. hirtum Don.

Erect, downy perennial. Leaves long-stalked, ovate-cordate, serrate 6-7 nerved. Peduncles axillary or terminal, 1 or more flowered. Petals large, bright orange, hairy at base. Fruit truncate; carpels 12 or more, short bidentate; seeds 3.

Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).

219Malachra radiata Linn.

Tall, hispid herb; flowers small, pink, in dense heads with distinct bractlets and surrounded by a general involucre.

Fruit turbinate; carpels 5. Leaves short-stalked, palmately 5-7 lobed.

[128]Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Bahr El Zeraf); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).

220Urena lobata Linn. KĀRI (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Tall herb, erect, branched, covered with stellate hairs. Leaves shallowly 5-lobed; flowers pink. Ripe carpels 5, densely stellate hairy and covered with spines deflexed at the ends.

Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; South Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab & Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov.

The bark yields a fibre of good quality, suitable for bags, twine, etc.

221Pavonia hirsuta Guill. & Perr. UMBERRU (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Downy perennial or undershrub; branches or stems procumbent, up to 5-6 ft. long. Leaves scabrous above, cordate, suborbicular or obscurely 3-lobed. Flowers yellow, with purple centres, on solitary stalks in axils of upper leaves. Styles 10; carpels 10, covered with reflexed bristles. White Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

P. glechomæfolia A. Rich. KULAM & KUNUTAL (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Rigid herb with slender hirsute branches. Leaves ovate, cordate, slightly 3-lobed, crenate-serrate. Flowers yellow, about 1 in. across, with 5 free, oval bracteoles. Ripe carpels 5, without beak.

Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur (Kulme); Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).

P. triloba Hochst.

Erect, bushy herb; stems long-pilose. Leaves more or less trilobed, about 1¼ in. long, with two types of stellate hairs below. Epicalyx persistent, of several linear bracts.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

P. arabica Hochst.

Erect tomentose perennial. Leaves as long as stalks, oblong, subcordate. Peduncles solitary, axillary; epicalyx of 10-20 linear, villose bracts, arching over the ripe fruit. Corolla pink, longer than calyx. Fruit subglobose, size of a pea.

Red Sea Prov.; 21° N. Lat.; Darfur Prov.

P. Kotschyi Hochst.

Densely villose, low growing, woody perennial. Leaves oblong-ovate, obtuse, coarsely serrate, 3-5 nerved. Epicalyx of 10 linear bracts. Peduncles axillary, solitary, 1-flowered. Corolla yellow, about 1 in. across. Carpels 5, each with 2 large wings.

Fung & Kordofan Provinces.

[129]P. zeylanica Cav.

Leaves digitately divided almost to the base, lobes 3-5, oblanceolate, 1 in. long, densely tomentose below with stellate hairs; flowers solitary, on long pedicels; epicalyx of 10 linear bracts; fruits slightly winged.

Red Sea Prov. (Karora).

P. macrophylla E. Mey.

Tall pilose herb or undershrub. Leaves long-stalked, oval, cordate-acuminate, or 3-lobed, crenate-serrate. Peduncles axillary, 1-flowered. Epicalyx of usually 5 foliaceous segments; petals pink; styles 8-10; carpels 5, obovate.

White Nile Prov.

222Kosteletzkya adoensis Hochst.

Large herb or undershrub. A line of hairs along one side of the stem shifts to the other side at each successive joint. Leaves long-stalked, roundish-cordate, acuminate, 3-nerved, sometimes 3-pointed, hispid. Epicalyx of 7-10 linear-lanceolate bractlets. Corolla yellow. Carpels 5; seeds flat.

Fung Prov.

K. flava Bak. f. (K. Buettneri Gürke).

Leaves linear to linear-lanceolate, up to 5 in. long and ½ in. broad, the lower often hastate at the base, serrulate, scabrid. Flowers solitary, axillary. Epicalyx of 7-10 linear bracts a little shorter than the calyx. Fruits depressed, pentagonal, bristly.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

K. Chevalieri Hochr.

Erect herb with rod-like stems, about 4 ft. high, densely strigose-hispid. Leaves suborbicular, widely cordate at the base, slightly 3-lobed, about 2 cm. diameter, softly stellate-pilose. Flowers in dense terminal spikes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land; Bongo-land; Kulongo).

223Senra incana Cav.

Soft, downy undershrub; corolla deep purple. Epicalyx of 3 cordate palmi-nerved leaflets. Capsule 5-valved, ovoid; seed 3-pilose. Leaves palmately 3-5 lobed.

Fung & White Nile Provinces.

224Hibiscus Trionum Linn.

Much branched, hispid annual. Flower yellow, with a purple centre; calyx persistent, ventricose, accrescent. Epicalyx 7-12 linear segments. Leaves long-stalked, usually deeply palmately 3-5 lobed.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin & Soturba); Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

H. dictyocarpus Webb.

Stem woody, erect, hairy. Leaves long-stalked, 3-5 lobed, central lobe longest. Epicalyx of 10-12 linear, spathulate bracts. Peduncles solitary, axillary. Corolla yellow, with purple centre. Styles 5. Fruit roundish, 5-winged.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

[130]H. vitifolius Linn.

Tall, much-branched perennial. Flowers bright yellow, with a purple centre; bracteoles 5-8. Leaves palmate, 3-5 lobed, serrate. Capsules 5-winged. Epicalyx of 8-12 linear bracts.

Red Sea Prov.; Fung Prov. (Saoleil).

H. obtusilobus Gärcke.

Herb, 18 in. high. Leaves longer than stalks, cordate, 3-5 lobed, central longest. Epicalyx of 6-9 linear-oblong bracts, shorter than calyx; calyx segments 1-nerved. Capsule covered with forked bristles.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

H. diversifolius Jacq.

Tall, prickly herb. Flowers large, yellow, with red-purple centre; bracteoles 5-8. Leaves palmate, 3-5 lobed, long-stalked. Capsule pointed, hispid, ultimately smooth. Epicalyx of numerous subulate segments.

Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

H. corymbosus Hochst.

Erect, stellate-tomentose perennial, 2-3 ft. high. Lower leaves deeply 3-lobed, upper simple, oblong-lanceolate. Flowers yellow, crowded, corymbose. Epicalyx of 8-10 linear segments.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: near Dogguru, & Niamniam-land: Gumba & Bendo).

H. physaloides Guill. & Perr.

Herb with somewhat irritant hairs. Flowers solitary, pale yellow, with maroon centre, or purple. Leaves variable, long-stalked. Epicalyx of about 10 filiform segments, shorter than calyx. Capsule ovoid, beaked, hispid.

Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Shambé); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

H. intermedius A. Rich.

A weak herb with deeply 3-5 lobed glandular leaves, pilose on the nerves, with weak hairs; flowers axillary, solitary, pale-yellow with purple centre; pedicels ⅓ in. long. Epicalyx of 10 linear bracts; capsule pubescent.

Red Sea Prov. (Has Has); Bahr el Jebel (Sheikh Tombé).

H. rhabdotospermus Gärcke.

Woody herb, downy or villose. Leaves cordate, ovate, palmately 5-7 nerved. Epicalyx of 15-20 linear segments; corolla yellow, 1 in. across. Capsule ovate, woody.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

H. articulatus Hochst.

Herb with yellow flowers, up to 2 in. diameter. Leaves short-stalked, rough, upper ones palmately 3-5-partite, lower ones roundish. Epicalyx of 8-10 strap-shaped segments.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat mouth); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Wau & Deim Zubeir); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

[131]H. surattensis Linn.

Scrambling, prickly herb, with solitary, showy pale-yellow flowers with a purple centre, 2-4 in. across. Epicalyx of 10-12 linear-spathulate segments. Leaves palmately 3-5 lobed, secondary nerves distinct.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nabambisso River).

H. lunariifolius Willd. SHALIGA (Kordn.) & MIMLIGADA (Fung)—Arab.

Tall herb, with showy yellow flowers, with dark centre; bracteoles 5-7, linear, as long as sepals. Leaves ovate, cordate, generally 3-5 lobed, coarsely serrate dentate, densely tomentose with stiff stellate hairs.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper Nile Prov. (Renk).

Yields a good fibre.

H. rostellatus Guill. & Perr.

Prickly and hairy herb. Leaves cordate, angular, palmately 5-lobed. Epicalyx of 10 linear segments, much shorter than calyx and each provided at apex with a spoon-shaped appendix. Flowers pink, rather large.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nabambisso River).

H. calycinus Willd.

Undershrub. Leaves downy to subglabrous, obtusely 3-5 angled. Flowers solitary, large, yellow, with purple centre. Epicalyx of 5 broadly spathulate, acute bracts, equal to the 5-nerved segments of calyx.

Fung & White Nile Provinces.

H. panduriformis Burm. BUTNIEID (Dilling)—Nuba.

Bushy herb, up to 6 ft. high and covered with bristly hairs. Leaves ovate, often somewhat 3-lobed, cordate, tomentose. Flowers yellow with purple centre; bracteoles 7-10, connate below, spathulate-linear.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli, Wad El Abbas, & Jongol’s Post); Nuba Mountains Prov. (Dilling); Mongalla Prov. (Bari country); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab); Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

H. Grantii Mast.

Erect, villous undershrub. Leaves very short-stalked, sub-cordate, somewhat wedge-shaped at base and slightly 3-lobed at apex. Flowers numerous, in terminal leafy panicles. Epicalyx of 12 linear bracts; petals pink.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

H. Sabdariffa Linn. KARKADE, KIRKEN or JO (Darfur)—Arab; KOKORO (Kadugli)—Nuba; LAKBUR—Bari; TED (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer; NOMBA—Zande.

Erect annual or perennial. The cultivated plant usually takes a deep red colour. Capsule ovoid, pointed. Leaves entire or with shallow lobes.

Generally cultivated, but occurs wild in Southern Sudan.[132] The fleshy calyx is subacid and is used to prepare a refreshing drink. The plant yields a strong, silky fibre; it is known as Rozelle or Red Sorrel in the West Indies.

H. cannabinus Linn. TIL—Arab; N’ZEEBEE—Zande.

Tall herb; all parts hairy. Flowers yellow with maroon centre. Leaves deeply 5-7 lobed. Epicalyx of 5-7 segments. Capsule pointed.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile; Upper White Nile, Kordofan; Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

Two varieties are in cultivation, both are used for the fibre which is made into Sagia ropes. The seeds yield an oil; the leaves possess aperient properties.

H. micranthus Linn. GHUBEISH (N. Kordn.)—Arab. Undershrub with spreading branches and stellate pubescence. Leaves 3-nerved, wedge-shaped at base, about 1 in. long. Flowers ½ in. long, pink. Epicalyx of 7-8 linear segments. Seeds numerous, cottony.

Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov. (El Dueim); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Sungur); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

H. micranthus Linn., var. ABUTKULA—Hadendowa.

Procumbent herb, with white flowers, turning pink after fertilisation.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov.

H. ternatus Mast.

Erect branching herb. Leaves palmately 3-lobed, upper leaves more deeply cut. Epicalyx none; calyx lobes 3-nerved; corolla yellow, under 1 in. long. Capsule pointed, hairy. White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).

H. Solandra L’Herit.

Tall, woody herb, not unlike Wissadula rostrata in general appearance. Leaves ovate to more or less deeply 3-lobed, cordate, dentate-serrate. Flowers pink, ½ in. across, in few-flowered terminal raceme; bracteoles none.

Blue Nile Prov. (Geneib Assad).

H. sudanensis Hochst.

Woody, with prickly stems. Leaves triangular, truncate at base, up to 6 in. long, dentate, glabrous above, glabrescent or pubescent below. Flowers axillary, solitary or 2-3. Bracteoles 10, linear.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov.

H. esculentus Linn. BAMIA & WEIKAH—Arab; KWEINDE (Dilling)—Nuba; KARAN—Hameg; FOMAH (Renk)—Dinka; BARA (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer.

Tall, erect, woody herb. Leaves long-stalked, palmately 5-lobed. Corolla large, yellow, with purple centre. Capsule 4-6 in. long.

[133]Cultivated. The young pods are used as a vegetable, the stem yields a good fibre.

225Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. GUTUB & GID EL GUTN (N. Kordn.), MĀNAGIGA (Meshra El Zeraf) and GUTN EL KHAL—Arab.

Hairy herb or undershrub, somewhat like a small cotton plant. Leaves 5-lobed; ovary black punctate.

Kordofan Prov. (Fertangul & North Kordofan); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

226Thespesia near Garckeana F. Hoffm. NAJIKAR (J. Daier)—Nuba.

Small tree. Leaves palmate, 3½ in. broad, stellate-pubescent below. Capsule the size of a chestnut, seeds hairy, said to be edible.

Nuba Mountains Prov. (J. Daier).

227Gossypium arboreum Linn. var. rosea Watt.

Cotton plant.

Semi-cultivated in various parts of the country.

G. Nanking var. Roji Watt.

White Nile Prov.

var. soudanensis Watt.

Semi-cultivated.

var. Brouniana Watt. ALAS—Dinka.

Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

var. Bani Watt.

Khartoum Prov.

G. obtusifolium Roxb. var. africana Watt.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin); White Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

var. Wightiana Watt.

Darfur Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

G. hirsutum Linn. GUTN AMERICANI—Arab.

Cultivated in northern provinces under irrigation and as a rain crop in the south.

G. peruvianum Cav.

Hybrids of this species are cultivated in the Central Sudan under the name of Egyptian Cotton.

G. cf. G. mexicanum Tod.

Two varieties with yellow and red flowers, respectively, are found among native cultivation in the Fung Province.

G. purpurascens Poir. GUTN ARABI, GUTN MUMTAZ—Arab.

Found semi-cultivated in various parts of the country.

G. herbaceum Linn.

Darfur Prov. (cultivated).

G. brasiliense Macf. ROKO—Zande. Kidney Cotton.

Stout, woody plant, up to 15 ft. high. Corolla, calyx, ovary and bracts punctate. Seeds cohering; staple short. The cotton is called RAMU by the Zande.

Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.

[134]EUPHORBIACEÆ.

228Synadenium Grantii Hook. f.

Shrub, 8-10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, thinly fleshy, oblanceolate or obovate, 3-7 in. long. Cymes axillary, repeatedly forked. Invol. 2-sexual or male, ¼ in. diameter, saucer-shaped with a red entire, spreading gland-rim, from the inner edge of which spring 5 inflexed, fringe lobes, overtopping the rim. Inside the invol. the stamens (male flowers) arranged in 5 groups, separated by membranous walls; ovary (female flowers) when present, central, stalked, with a rudimentary 3-crenate rim as per., 3-lobed, as most common in this family; styles 3, deeply bifid, recurved.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

229Euphorbia convolvuloides Hochst.

Bushy herb, 6-20 in. high, tomentose. Leaves opposite, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, ⅓-1½ in. long, acute, obliquely subcordate; stipules subulate, free or connate. Flowering branchlets short, bearing clustered white or tawny minute involucres; invol. differs from above by the rim-gland which is not continuous but 4-lobed; gland-lobes entire or crenulate. Capsules obtusely 3-angled, 1/12 in. diameter, tomentose, separating into 3 lobes from the central axis, as in all this genus.

Kordofan Prov. (J. Kon, Obeid).

E. hirta Linn. ABULEBBEN—Arab.

Yellow hairy herb, 4-16 in. high, with milky juice as in all this genus. Leaves opposite, obliquely lanceolate, or rhomboid-oblong, or ovate, ⅓-2 in. long, serrulate. Cymes axillary globose or divided into 2-3 globose heads; invol. crowded, minute, rim-glands 4, with minute dorsal appendage. Capsules globose 3-angled, puberulous, minute.

Khartoum Prov.

The root is said to be given to allay vomiting.

E. hypericifolia Linn. MABLEBEN (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GNIOR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Herb, 3-18 in. high. Leaves opposite, from linear-oblong to ovate, ¼-1½ in. long, usually denticulate. Cymes axillary, ⅙-½ in. diameter; few or many-flowered. Invol. cup-shaped, minute, rim-glands minute, appendaged, white; styles deeply bifid.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: around Matamma); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Bahr El Jebel; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

E. scordifolia Jacq. MALBEINA HAMRA & UMLEBEINA (Kordn.)—Arab.

Bushy, woolly herb. Leaves opposite, oblong or oblong-elliptic, ¼-¾ in. long, obtuse, obliquely subcordate, serrulate.[135] Invol. usually crowded along axillary, leafy branchlets. Flowers much as above.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Erkowit, Soturba); Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Turra); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

E. granulata Forsk. LIBBEYN or LIBBEIN—Arab.

Hirsute prostrate weed. Leaves opposite, oblong or oblong-obovate, oblique at base, under ½ in. long. Infl. in short, leafy axillary racemes. Invol. campanulate, green, minute; rim-glands 4 or 3, appendages 2-3 lobed.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Darfur Prov.

var. glabrata Boiss. GONOIH (Halfa Prov.)—Arab.

Leaves glabrous above, pubescent beneath. Rim-glands somewhat more petaloid than in type.

Wadi Halfa (Islands); Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.); Kordofan Prov.

E. polycnemoides Hochst.

Bushy herb, glabrous. Leaves opposite, usually minute, up to 1 in. long, linear to linear-oblong, often falcate, mucronate, base unequal, sharply denticulate. Invol. solitary, axillary spaced along branchlets, green or purplish, minute; rim-glands 4, with or without a minute notched or 2-lobed appendage. Seeds 4-angled rugose.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma & Goz Regeb: J. Erimbat); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Jur Ghattas).

E. ægyptiaca Boiss. MALBEINA & UMLEBEINA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Small prostrate herb. Leaves opposite, up to ½ in. long, oblong, unequal at base, slightly toothed; stipules free usually. Infl. in short leafy axillary racemes. Invol. minute campanulate, open down one side for extrusion of capsules; rim-glands 4, appendages minute or obsolete.

Nubia (deserts & between Suakin & Berber); Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat.); Dongola Prov. (Dongola to Merowe); Berber Prov. (Abu Hamad, banks of the Nile & Mesherif); Khartoum Prov. (Khartoum & Wad Shellai); Blue Nile Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.

Used in native medicine as a purgative.

E. sanguinea Hochst. & Steud.

Prostrate weed. Leaves opposite, under ½ in. long, oblong or obliquely elliptic, very oblique at base, rounded at apex, often with a red spot. Infl. as above; invol. campanulate, minute; rim-glands 4, appendages narrow, usually 2-3 lobed.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat.).

[136]E. prostrata Ait.

Small prostrate weed, puberulous on upper side. Leaves up to ⅓ in. long, oblong to elliptic, more or less toothed, rounded at apex. Infl. as above; invol. campanulate, minute; rim-glands 4, minute, with appendage just exceeding the margin or obsolete.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat.).

E. crotonoides Boiss.

Erect herb, 1-2 ft. high, with narrow wings decurrent from short, flat petioles. Leaves alternate, except at forking of flowering branches, linear to lanceolate, ¾-3 in. long, irregularly serrate. Flowering branches raceme-like, 1½-8 in. long. Invol. sessile or subsessile, solitary, woolly, pubescent; rim-glands 4, distinctly stalked, entire, red or purple. Capsules with long, soft, spreading hairs.

Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Kordofan Prov.

E. bongensis Kotschy & Peyr.

Bushy herb, up to 1 ft. high, with perennial rhizome. Leaves alternate, linear, ½-1½ in. long. Invol. solitary, terminal, minute, subsessile; rim-glands 4-5; 2-lipped or obliquely funnel-shaped. Capsules velvety.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur River, Kutshook Ali’s Zariba).

E. arabica Hochst. & Steud.

Erect, glabrous annual. Leaves opposite, short petiolate, linear, ½-1 in. long, straight or curved. Infl. on axillary peduncle-like branchlets or on peduncles, up to ⅓ in. long, with 2-3 invol. and sometimes one in axil at base; invol. minute; rim-glands 4, minute, appendages inconspicuous or none.

Red Sea Prov. (J. Waratab & 21° N. Lat.); Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb).

E. dracunculoides Lam.

Erect, glabrous annual, 3-12 in. high. Leaves opposite above, alternate below, sessile linear or linear-lanceolate, ⅓-2 in. long. Invol. solitary at forks or ends of branches, minute; rim-glands minute, narrowly oblong or half-moon shaped, 2-horned.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Suakin 21° N. Lat.).

It yields a clear oil, used as drying-oil and for burning. The fruit is said to remove warts.

E. acalyphoides Hochst.

Annual, 6-15 in. high. Leaves alternate, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, ¾-1¾ in. long; petals ¼-1¼ in. long. Peduncles axillary, shorter than petals, bearing 1-3 sessile invol., which are minute; glands elliptic or elliptic-oblong, pubescent.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

E. macrophylla Pax.

Perennial, 18 in. high. Leaves alternate, 3-5 whorled at base of umbels; stem-leaves obovate to elliptic, 3-6 in. long,[137] whorl-leaves varying from oblong to rhomboid or lanceolate. Umbels terminal, 3-5 rayed, compound or simple by abortion, with 2-3 distant flowering nodes; invol. ⅓ in. diameter; glands 5, ⅙ in. diameter, elliptic-oblong, shortly 2-lipped.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

E. schimperiana Scheele.

Erect herb, ½-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, or with a whorl of 3-5 under the umbel, ¾-3½ in. long, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate, narrowed to base, sessile, glabrous. Cymes terminal, 3 to many times forked, sometimes terminating in a 3-5 rayed umbel; bracts opposite, sessile, ¼-1 in. long, triangular-ovate. Invol. solitary sessile or nearly so, minute, cup-shaped; glands 4, minute, somewhat half-mooned shaped, 2-horned.

Fung Prov. (Bunzaga).

E. arguta Soland.

Herb, 3-15 in. high. Leaves alternate, sessile, lanceolate or oblanceolate, serrate. Umbels 3-5 rayed, terminal or axillary near the apex; rays up to 5 in. long, cymosely 2-4 times divided. Invol. solitary, sessile, or nearly so, minute; glands 4, minute, transversely oblong, entire.

Nubia (Wadi Halfa).

E. agowensis Hochst.

Undershrub, with herbaceous branches. Leaves alternate, with a whorl of 3 at base of umbel and opposite on its branches, elliptic-obtuse, ½-1¼ in. long, denticulate. Umbels terminal, 3-branched, 1-3 times forked or lateral and axillary, 1-10 in. long. Invol. in cymes of 3 at ends of umbel branches, minute; glands 4, transversely oblong, minute.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

E. cyparissioides Pax.

Bushy, glabrous herb, about 1 ft. high. From a perennial root stock. Leaves alternate on stem and branches, whorled or opposed under the cyme or umbel, sessile, linear, ⅓-1¼ in. long. Invol. solitary or in subcapitate cymes, terminal, minute. Glands 5, rarely 7, minute, margins straight or creniculate. Capsules much exserted.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit, Deim Gudju, Niamniam-land, at River Ibba).

E. cuneata Vahl.

Woody shrub, up to 10-12 ft. high; branches horizontal, often spine-tipped, glabrous or at first puberulous. Leaves alternate, scattered and, on short secundary branches, tufted, usually ⅓-1 in. long, linear-cuneate to cuneate-spathulate. Cymes umbel-like, ⅓-⅔ in. long, axillary or terminal, with 1 or 3-5 invols. with reduced leaves under cymes and invols. Invol. 1/5-1/4 in. diameter, broadly cup-shaped; glands 5, peltate, concave, elliptic or suborbicular, about 1/12 in. diameter. Capsules erect, ¼ in. diameter, puberulous.

[138]Red Sea Prov. (J. Kuureb, J. Waratab, sea coast, 21° N. Lat., Karora).

E. nubica N.E. Br. JAGIA (J. Daier)—Nuba.

Unarmed green, early-leafless shrub, up to 6 ft. high; branches alternate, cylindrical; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves not seen. Umbels terminal of 5-7 simple rays, about ½ in. long; bracts early deciduous, oblong, acute, ½ in. long, whorled at base of umbel, and orbicular-obovate, ⅙ in. long, paired below the invols. Invol. ¼ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped; lobes scarcely toothed or ciliate, but sometimes bifid; glands 4, transversely elliptic or orbicular. Capsules ¼ in. diameter, much exserted.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Daier); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Duli Konga, 7,500 ft.).

E. consobrina N.E. Br.

Shrub of habit much as above. Leaves soon deciduous, sessile, linear-lanceolate, acute, ⅙-¼ in. long. Umbel of 3, or less, simple rays, up to ½ in. long, terminal, based by a whorl of leaves. Invol. solitary, about ⅙ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped, the 5 lobes subquadrate, subentire, slightly ciliate; glands as above. Capsules slightly exserted, curved to one side.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, Wadi Teeke, between Suakin and Berber).

E. scoparia N.E. Br. KURKABAN & SHAGAR EL SIM (Baggara)?—Arab; IMGEIL (Dilling)?—Nuba.

Unarmed tree, 15-25 ft. high; branchlets alternate, abundant, green, cylindrical, fleshy, ¼-½ in. thick, marked with leaf scars. Leaves caducous, alternate, scattered below, clustered at ends of branchlets, linear, sessile, about ½ in. long. Invols. in dense sessile clusters, about ⅙ in. in diameter at tips of branches, cup-shaped, minute; lobes 5, ovate subciliate; glands 5, minute, transversely elliptic, entire. Ovary erect on stout pedicel as long as invol.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Dakhila, south of Roseires); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling)?

E. venenifica Trém. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; RIS (Tagele)—Nuba; JIANGO—Zande.

Bushy shrub, up to 7 or 8 ft. high, with fleshy, cylindrical branches armed with conical prickles. Leaves deciduous, 3-11 in. long, narrowly lanceolate to oblong-cuneate, tapering into the short petiole. Cymes solitary in axils of spine tubercles, ½-¾ in. long including the short peduncle, once or twice forked, the branches bearing 3 invols.; central invol. sessile, lateral short pedicellate, about 1/7 in. diameter, cup-shaped, lobes 5, broadly cuneate, fringed at top, rim-glands 1/12 in. diameter, transversely oblong. Capsules deeply 3-lobed, erect, about ⅓ in. diameter.

[139]Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Abu Gurun’s Zariba, Mittu: Dukutu, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

Used by natives for poisoning arrows.

E. Teke Schweinfth.

Very large tree; young branches fleshy, 4-angled, about ½-¾ in. diameter, armed with geminate, diverging stipular spines, about ⅙ in. long, blackish. Leaves glabrous, elongated cuneate-obovate, 3-12 in. long, tapering into the ⅓-1 in. long petioles. Cymes axillary, sessile, of 2-4 peduncle-like branches, 1½-2½ in. long, each with 2, about ½ in. long branches, each end ending in a solitary sessile invol.; bracts under invol. nearly ¼ in. long, ovate, deciduous. Invol. under ½ in. diameter, broadly cup-shaped; lobes 5, broadly cuneate, fringed; glands 5, transversely elliptic-oblong; ovary erect, glabrous.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru and Diagbe Rivers).

E. triaculeata Forsk. var. triacantha N.E. Br.

Spiny, succulent, leafless bushy plant, 5-20 in. high; stems with branches about ½ in. thick, usually 3-5 angled, angles often prominent, with deep notches forming triangular teeth, each margined with a horny shield bearing 1 straight needle-like spine up to 1 in. long and 2 small prickles at its base. Cymes small, solitary in axils of teeth, with 3 invols.; bracts scale-like. Invol. minute; lobes 5-6 transversely rectangular, fringed; glands united into a 5-lobed spreading rim; ovary not exserted.

Red Sea Prov. (J. Waratab & Khor Seterra).

E. monacantha Pax.

Succulent, much branched, very spiny, leafless plant, 4-8 in. high; stems about ½ in. thick, with several spiral series of tubercles or tuberculate angles, each tubercle bearing 1 spreading spine ⅓-¾ in. long, with or without a pair of minute prickles at its base on a 3-lobed horny shield. Leaves scale-like, deciduous. Invols. 3 together in axils of the shields, sessile or nearly so, with a pair of oblong toothed bracts, cup-shaped, about 6⅛ in. diameter, lobes 5, cuneate; glands variable contiguous or separated; ovary sessile.

Red Sea Province (Suakin).

E. Thi Schweinfth. ANKHAU—Hadendowa; DAMBOTIT—Rashida.

Succulent, spiny, leafless bush, 2-4 ft. high; branches erect, up to about 2 in. diam., 4-6 angled, constricted at intervals of 1-2½ in.; angles compressed, lobed by the constrictions with continuous horny margins; spines varying from ⅙-¾ in., in pairs, diverging, ⅙-½ in. apart. Cymes solitary in axils of spines, subsessile, with 3 invols.; bracts small, ovate. Invol. ⅙ in. diam., lobes 5, cuneate, fringed; glands 5, transversely oblong. Caps. ⅛ in. diam., partly exserted.

[140]Nubia (Wadi Teeke, between Suakin & Berber); Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat).

E. abyssinica Gmelin. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; HEID—Hadendowa.

Tree with succulent, leafless branches, which are ascending, forming a large crown and up to 8- (usually 6-) angled; angles scolloped or crenate owing to frequent constrictions; spines continuous on top of angles, in groups of 5 or 2, divaricate, about ½ in. long. Cymes crowded at top of branchlets; invol. with 5 transversely-elliptic, yellow glands. Capsules with a distinct 3-lobed calyx at base, crimson streaked with white when ripe.

Red Sea Prov.: Between Suakin & Berber; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd country?).

E. Murieli N.E. Br. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab.

Large tree with ascending, leafless and spineless branches, forming a large crown; branches slightly constricted at regular or irregular distances; constrictions all of same diameter; angles 4, sometimes 5, margins even; spines 0; spine shields horny, oblong, ¼-½ in. apart, not connected by horny border. Leaves rudimentary, minute. Cymes numerous at top of branchlets; pedicels ½-1 in. long bearing, on branches ¼-⅓ in. long, 3 invols.; bracts minute, suborbicular; invol. ¼ in. diameter; lobes 5, short; glands 5 erect, contiguous or nearly so, reniform, forming a lip. Capsules exserted, curved to one side, ⅓ in. diameter.

Bahr El Jebel.

E. Erythrææ N.E. Br.

Small, leafless, succulent, spiny tree; branches ascending, candelabrum-like, 3-4 or 5-7 angled, irregularly constricted; angles wing-like, up to about 1 in. broad, straight or wavy; spines in pairs up to ⅓ in. long, on suborbicular shields close together but not connected. Flowers and fruit not known.

Nubia (between Suakin & Berber: Harassa valley).

E. calycina N.E. Br.

Succulent, spiny, leafless tree, 30 ft. high; branches 4-angled, wing-like, faintly sinuate, with small central core; constrictions slight, 5-7 in. apart or more; spines up to ⅙ in. long, in pairs ½-¾ in. apart, on oblong or suborbic. shields which are not connected by horny border. Leaves scale-like. Cymes on peduncles ½-¾ in. long, bearing a central, sessile, male invol. and 2 lateral hermaphr., on short branches. Invol. about ¼ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped; lobes 5, broad, fringed; glands 5, subcontiguous, transverse reniform, 2-lipped with ends decurved. Ovary exserted.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek, Mittu-land: at Legbi).

[141]E. Candelabrum Trémaut. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; AURI (J. Daier)—Nuba; BAKUNGI & FUFUMI—Bari; KAKOB—Bongo; BOL & BUAL (Bahr El Jebel)—Dinka; BULL—Nuer.

Armed tree with stem up to 3 ft. diameter, forming a large crown of candelabrum-like habit; branchlets fleshy, 3-4 or 5-angled, not wing-like, constricted at intervals; core thicker than in preceding; spines geminate, diverging, up to ⅙ in. long, on rounded horny cushions which are not decurrent. Flowers and fruit not known.

Southern Sudan (on poor soil or rock).

The milky juice is used for poisoning arrows.

230Bridelia scleroneuroides Pax. APIAT (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; INZI—Golo.

Shrub or small tree; branchlets yellowish hairy. Leaves alternate, oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 in. long, pubescent above when young, softly and densely pubescent beneath; lateral nerves straight to the margin. Flowers monœcious; male flowers small, numerous, subsessile in leaf-axils; sepals 5, ovate; petals 5, broad-ovate, toothed at apex; stamens 5; female flowers fewer or solitary: sepals as in male; petals elliptic-ovate, thick, slightly bifid; styles 2, bifid. Drupe globose, ¼ in. diameter, 2-celled.

Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Khor Tela).

B. ferruginea Benth. var. orientalis Hutchinson.

Shrub or small tree; branchlets rusty, hairy. Leaves elliptic, short-acuminate, 2-4 in. long, pubescent on nerves and veins below; lateral nerves 11-13, unbranched to margin. Male flowers: sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, slightly hooded, pubescent outside with long adpressed hairs; petals 5, minute, obovate, toothed; stamens 5; disk thick, wrinkled. Female flowers: sepals as in male; petals lanceolate, acute; disk bottle-shaped, enclosing ovoid ovary, pubescent; styles 2, bipartite. Fruit ovoid-oblong, 1-celled.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Okel; Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

B. micrantha Baill.

Densely crowned tree, 20-40 ft. high; branchlets rusty-tomentose when young. Leaves oblong-elliptic to obovate, 2-7 in. long, shining above; lateral nerves 8-16, ascending and finally forming a marginal nerve. Male flowers small, short-stalked; sepals 5, triangular, pubescent at base; petals 5, obovate-cuneate, 3-lobed or toothed. Female flowers sessile; sepals as above; petals ovate entire; disk almost enclosing the ovoid ovary, densely pilose outside; styles 2, 2-lobed. Fruit ovoid, ⅙-¼ in. diameter, 1-celled.

Mongalla Prov, (Yei River).

[142]A food plant of the African Silk Worm (Anaphe infracta) in Uganda. The timber is white and very durable.

231Megabaria ugandensis Hutchinson. KAPAH—Kaliko.

Tall tree; branchlets glabrous. Leaves alternate, clustered towards ends of branchlets, broadly elliptic, 3-11 in. long, glabrous. Infl. diœcious; male in glabrous panicles at ends of branchlets, axis 6-8 in. long, bracts ovate-triangular, up to ⅙ in. long; spikelets up to ½ in. long, each with a membranous bract at base; calyx 5-partite, lobes broad-ovate; petals 5, small, elliptic; stamens 5; disk-glands 5. Female infl. a panicle of racemes; calyx and petals as in male; disk cupular; ovary and fruit ovoid.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Deim Guju in Dar Fertit); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

232Amanoa Schweinfurthii Baker & Hutchinson.

Monœcious, glabrous shrub, about 10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic, slightly emarginate, shining above, 3-4 in. long. Flowers in axillary spicate clusters on short lateral leafy branches. Male flowers several in each head; sepals 5, ovate; petals 5, short, scale-like. Female flowers solitary in each head.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mayob).

233Andrachne aspera Spreng.

Monœcious diffuse, scabrous herb, about 1 ft. high, from a perennial root stock. Leaves alternate, orbicular or sub-reniform, ¼-¾ in. broad. Flowers axillary; male flower fasciculate; sep. ovate-lanceolate, minute, 5-6; pet. 5-6, equalling sep., lanceolate; disk-glands 5-6, opposite petals; female flower solitary; sepals longer than in male, oblong-lanceolate; pet. very small, lanceolate; disk-glands 5; styles 3, 2-partite; ovary 3-celled. Capsule globose, ⅛ in. diam.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Suakin, 21° N. Lat.).

234Antidesma venosum Tul. YUKDASHI—Golo.

Diœcious, willow-like shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, elliptic or oblanceolate, up to 6 in. long, glabrous or pubescent above and thinly pubescent to tomentose below. Male spikes up to 6 in. long, silky; calyx 3-5 partite; pet. 0; stamens 3-5. Female racemes 1-5 in. long. Flowers pedicellate, ellipsoid, glabrous about ⅓ in. long.

Damp places; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dar Nuba); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (moist ground near Khors: Dar Fertit, Niamniam-land and Jur); Mongalla Prov. (Gigging).

The juice is said to be substitute for collyrium.

235Mæsobotrya floribunda Schweinfth.

Diœcious tree or shrub. Leaves alternate, elliptic, 3-6 in. long, shortly acuminate, margin remotely repand denticulate; pet. ½-1¼ in. long, stout. Male racemes crowded in leaf-axils, about 2 in. long; calyx 5-6 lobed, minute; pet. 0; stamens[143] 5-6 free; disk-glands large, fleshy. Female racemes solitary or geminate, axillary, about 3 in. long; cal. lobes ovate, imbricate; disk cupular, short ovary ovoid, styles 2, short, bilobed. Flowers ovoid, ¼ in. long, purple.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land, Assika River).

Wood yellowish white, works well, density 0.651; suitable for joinery.

236Hymenocardia acida Tul. GARE & GERE—Bongo; KWANGE & GARA—Golo; AKAN—Jur; BAGBODI—Zande.

Tall, diœcious, apetalous shrub; branchlets rusty puberulous. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate to elliptic-oblong, up to 3½ in. long. Male flower in catkin-like spikes, up to 2½ in. long; cal. cupular, shortly 5-lobed, pinkish; stamens 5; anthers with a golden gland on the back near the top. Female flower in axillary short racemes; calyx 5-8 partite, pubescent; ovary glabrous, winged; styles 2. Fruit 2-winged, much like that of a small maple.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (Gurgus forest); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Dinka & Mittu-lands); Bahr El Jebel (Mongalla Prov. southwards).

The bark yields a red tan; it is also used by the Bongos as an antiseptic.

237Drypetes (Cyclostemon) Mildbrædii Hutchinson.

Large diœcious, apetalous shrub; bark light-grey; branchlets angular, puberulous. Leaves alternate, oblong or elliptic, shortly acuminate, 4-8 in. long, midrib and lat. nerves pubescent. Flowers fasciculate on 2-year-old wood; pedicels very short. Male flower sep. 4, suborbicular, ⅙ in. diam.; stamens 10, free, inserted round the fleshy, lobed disk. Female flower sep. 4, a little larger than male; disk annular, thick; ovary slightly bilobed; stigmas flat, 2-fid.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru River).

238Phyllanthus inflatus Hutchinson. sp. nov.

Leafy branchlets arising from short scaly branchlets. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 1¼ in. long, ¾ in. broad, glaucous. Fruit large, bladder-like, 1½ in. long, crustaceous; stalks ½ in. long.

Mongalla Prov. (Lado District: Kagi Ko, Yei River).

P. reticulatus Poir. KOROPONGO—Golo.

Erect or scrambling, monœcious, apetalous shrub, at length nearly glabrous. Leaves alternate, oblong or elliptic, ½-1¼ in. long; stip. lanceolate, acute. Male flower small, axillary, fascicled; sep. 5, ovate-elliptic, 1-nerved; stamens 5, 2 or 3 of the filaments connate, the others free and shorter; disk-glands 5, obovate. Female flower solitary or few; sep. as in male and disk also; ovary depressed globose; styles 3 short, erect. Fruit ¼ in. diam., fleshy or coriaceous.

Berber Prov. (Atbara: El Leya, Zeidab); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad El Haddad); Kordofan Prov.; Upper[144] White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau, Mittu-land: Mvolo, Niamniam-land); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

The roots yield a red dye. The leaves have diuretic and cooling properties.

P. floribundus Muell. Arg.

Armed monœcious trailing or climbing shrub. Leaves alternate, ovate or ovate-elliptic, mucronate, ¾-3 in. long. Racemes fascicled in axils of branchlets, up to 2 in. long, bearing clusters of 2-3 male and 1 female flower. Male flower sep. 5, oblong, minute, disk-glands 5, fleshy; stamens 5, free. Female flower sep. soon deciduous; disk cupular; ovary ellipsoid; styles 4-5, bilobed. Fruit depressed globose, small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).

P. discoideus Muell. Arg.

Shrub to tall tree, diœcious. Leaves ovate-elliptic to obovate-oblanceolate, 1-4 in. long. Male flowers numerous, in axillary fascicles; bracts large orbicular, deciduous; sep. 4, obovate-oblong, very small; disk fleshy entire; stamens 4, free. Female flower axillary, geminate; sep. 4, larger than male; disk fleshy; ovary ellipsoid. Capsule 3-4 lobed, ⅓ in. diam.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. capillaris Schum. & Thonn.

Whitish pubescent monœcious shrub, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves obovate or elliptic-obovate, ⅓-1 in. long, glaucous beneath. Male flower axillary, fascicled; pedicels ¾ in. long; sep. 5, minute, obovate; glands 5, fleshy; stamens 5, free. Female flower mostly solitary; sep. 4-5, ovate-elliptic, minute; disk saucer-shaped; styles 3, bipartite. Fruit depressed, globose, minute.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. nummulariæfolius Poir.

Small monœcious shrub. Leaves obovate or rounded-obovate, ¼-¾ in. long, otherwise as above.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land): Sueh River & Mt. Baginze); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

P. pentandrus Schum. & Thonn.

Woody monœcious herb, 18 in. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or lin.-lanc., up to ¾ in. long. Male flower axillary in lower leaves, 2-3 together; sep. 5, ovate, glands 5, flat; stamens 5, free. Female flower solitary in axils of upper leaves; sep. and disk as male; styles shortly bifid. Capsule depressed-globose, minute.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin 21° N. Lat.); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad, Obeid, etc.); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).

[145]P. amarus Schum. & Thonn.

Monœcious herb, 1 ft. high. Leaves oblong or elliptic, ⅙-½ in. long; one male and one female flower in each leaf axil. Male flower sep. 5, ovate, minute, glands small; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower sep. larger than male; disk 5-lobed; styles 3, short, bifid. Capsule depressed 3-lobed.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).

P. maderaspatensis Linn.

Erect monœcious herb or undershrub; flower branchlets almost winged. Leaves lin.-lanceolate or oblanceolate, up to 1½ in. long; stip. lanceolate and auricled about ⅛ in. long. Male and female flower sometimes together in leaf axils, or female solitary, much larger than males; ped. 1/12 in. Male flower, sep. 6, oblong-lanceolate, minute; disk-glands 6, flat; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower, sep. 6, 2-seriate ovate-elliptic; disk of 6 flat glands; styles 3, bifid. Capsule 3-lobed, ⅛ in. diam.

Nubia (between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: woods north of Matamma); Fung Prov. (Roseires & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf southwards); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

An infusion of the leaves is used for headaches. Cattle eat the leaves.

P. prostrata Welw.

Small prostrate, monœcious herb. Leaves elliptic, spinescent at apex, ¼ in. long. Male flower axillary and geminate in lower parts; sep. 6, oblong, minute; glands 6, orbicular; stamens 3, filam. connate. Female flower solitary in upper parts; sepals 6, in 2 rows oblong; disk annular; styles 3, bifid. Capsule depressed globose, ⅙ in. diam.

Khartoum Prov.

P. odontadenius Muell. Arg.

Monœcious annual, 2-3 ft. high; branches winged. Leaves oblong, ⅓-¾ in. long. Male flower axillary in lower leaf-axils, few together; sep. 6, oblong, minute; glands minute; stamens 3, filam. connate. Female flower solitary in upper leaf axils; sep. 6, biseriate, larger than male; disk annular crenate; styles 3, bilobed. Capsule enclosed by whitish persistent sepals.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

P. Niruri Linn. ERGANA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Erect branched monœcious herb, 1 ft. high, with fine feathery foliage. Leaves oblong or oblong-elliptic, ¼-½ in. long. Male flower solitary in lower parts of branchlets; sep. and glands 6 resp., small; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower solitary in upper parts of branchlets; sep. 6, larger than[146] male; disk flat, about 10-toothed. Capsule globose-trilobed, 1/10 in. diam.

Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol): Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

The leaves are used medicinally for various disorders.

P. rotundifolius Klein.

Monœcious herb, 1 ft. high. Leaves rounded-obovate, under ½ in. long. Two or three male and one female flower together in each axil. Male, sep. 6, glands 6; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female, sep. larger than male, ovate; disk crenulate, small; ovary depressed globose.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin 21° N. Lat.).

239Fluggea microcarpa Blume. DABALAB (Blue Nile)—Arab; MALI—Hameg; BUGGULTYEN (Dilling)—Nuba.

Diœcious, apetalous shrub or small tree, growing in moist ground. Leaves alternate, elliptic or obovate, obtusely pointed or emarginate, up to 2½ in. long. Male flowers numerous in axillary fascicles; ped. ⅙ in.; sep. 5, unequal, largest 1/12 in. long, obovate; disk-glands large and fleshy with 3 or 4 depressions on outside; stamens 5, free. Female flower also in axillary fascicles, numerous; sep. as male; disk annular; ovary ovoid; styles 3, connate at base, bilobed, rarely absent. Fruit white, depressed globose about ⅙ in diam.

Kassala Prov. (Gendua River & Goz Regeb); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Tonga & Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel.

Wood reddish-yellow, close-grained, strong and durable. The bark is astringent and is used as a fish poison.

240Croton lobatus Linn. UMDILEIDMĀN (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Tall monœcious woody herb. Leaves digitately 3-5 partite, 1-4 in. long, alternate, crenate, pet. up to 4 in. long. Racemes axillary and terminal, up to 5 in. long, bearing female flower below, male above, 2 ft. to each bract. Male flower, sep. 5, greenish, minute; pet. 5; stamens 10-13. Female flower, sep. 5, ¼ in. long, lin.-lanceolate, glandular-hairy; pet. 5, represented by a minute hair each; disk shortly 5-lobed; styles 3, free, 6-7 lobed. Capsule ¼ in. long.

Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); White Nile Prov. (rocky hills); Kordofan Prov. (between Taiara & Gefil).

C. polytrichus Pax.

Shrub? Monœcious; branchlets rusty tomentose. Leaves oblong-ovate or obl.-elliptic, acuminate, biglandular at base, 1-2 in. long, stellate pubescent. Racemes stellately pubescent terminal, 4 in. long, upper ⅔ male, female below. Male flower, sep. 5, minute; pet. 5, minute; disk-glands fleshy, suborbicular; stamens 15. Female flower, sep. 5; pet. a tuft of hairs; disk undulately lobed; styles 3, bilobed.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).

[147]C. niloticus Muell. Arg.

Diœcious shrub; stems and branches clothed with scaly pubescence. Leaves dimorphic—of the young branchlets broadly ovate or ovate-rhomboid, 2-4 in. long, digitately 5-nerved; of the older branches 1 ft. long and broad deeply cordate, 7-nerved; pet. 1-6 in. long. Male flower not known; female racemes axillary and terminal, 3½ in. long; sep. 5, minute; pet. 0; disk saucer-shaped, fleshy; styles deeply bilobed.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

C. gratissimus Burch. NIMARDAK (J. Daier)—Nuba.

Large monœcious shrub, twigs and under surface of leaves covered with silvery scaly tomentum. Leaves alternate ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 in. long. Racemes terminal, up to 2½ in. long, bisexual. Male flower, sep. and pet. 5, ovate 1/10 in. long, scaly; disk-glands thick, opposite the sepals; stamens 10-5. Female flower, sep. and pet. 5; disk minute; ovary densely clothed with fringed scales. Capsule ⅛ in. long, slightly 3-lobed.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Daier, Talodi: Um Qualeet).

A decoction is drunk for malaria, and also used as a massage lotion in cases of fever.

C. leuconeurus Pax.

Monœcious tree, 15-20 ft. high. Leaves ovate or elliptic-ovate, 2-5 in. long, crenate-serrate with short stipitate glands between the teeth. Racemes terminal, interrupted. Female flowers few, mixed with males. Male flower hairy; sep. and pet. 5, 1/10 in. long; glands small and fleshy; stamens about 18. Female flower, sep. 5, pet. rudimentary, pilose; disk fleshy; ovary globose densely tomentose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Mvolo).

241Jatropha tuberosa Pax.

Monœcious, 1-2 ft. high; root tuberous. Leaves sessile, upper deeply 3-lobed, 6 in. long, lower lanceolate, 3-5 in. long, serrulate. Cymes terminal, dichotomous. Female flower terminating each axis, male lateral; bracts ¼ in. long, glandular-toothed; sep. 5, pet. 5, all minute; glands 5; stamens 8 in 2 series, 3 inner filaments connate. Female flower, sep. and pet. 5, larger than male; disks 5-lobed, lobes toothed; styles bifid.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Mangob).

J. melanosperma Pax.

Monœcious herb, 18 in. high. Leaves deeply 3-lobed to subentire 2½-6 in. long, serrulate. Cymes small; flowers crowded, much as above; seeds black, shining ¼ in. long; the bracts are smaller and eglandular.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land).

J. lobata Muell. Arg.

Monœcious undershrub, about 1 ft. high. Leaves digitately[148] 3-5 lobed, 1½-3 in. long and broad, serrate. Cymes few-flowered, 1 in. diam.; bracts ¼ in. long, gland-toothed; sep. and pet. minute, gland-toothed; glands small; stamens 8. Female flower, sep. and pet. larger than male; disk 5-lobed. Capsule ½ in. long, buff-coloured.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, etc.); Kordofan Prov. (Katul Gumbara).

J. aceroides Hutchinson.

Small shrub. Leaves digitately 5-lobed, 1-4 in. long, coarsely dentate. Cymes few-flowered. Male flower, sep. 1/10 in.; pet. 1/5 in. long; glands large round contiguous; stamens 8; filaments partially connate. Female flower, sep. larger than male; pet. 0; disk deeply 5-lobed. Fruit not known.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Ashat, Khor Gwob).

J. Curcas Linn. HABB-EL-MELUK (Egypt)—Arab.

Sappy shrub. Leaves 5-lobed or entire, ovate-rounded, 3½-5½ in. long and wide; pet. 3-7 in. long. Cymes shorter than leaves. Male flower, sep. 1/7 in. long; pet. 2/9 in. long, pilose within, connate below; disk-glands cylindric; stamens 8, 3 inner connate. Female flower, sep. larger than male; pet. ¼ in. long, pilose; disk deeply 5-lobed. Capsule ellipsoid, 1 in. long.

Introduced: Khartoum Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Renk); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Deim Zubeir, planted by Marchand); Bahr El Jebel.

It is used as a hedge-plant. The seeds are poisonous and act as a violent purgative. An oil is extracted from the seeds which is used for making soap.

J. glandulosa Vahl.

Shrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves 3-lobed, orbicular in outline, 1-2½ in. long and wide, hairy, glandular-dentate; stip. reduced to a mass of sessile glands. Cymes 2 in. diam.; bracts glandular-toothed. Male flower, sep. pubescent, glandular-toothed, minute; pet. 1/5 in. long, connate lower ⅔; disk-glands fleshy; stamens 8, filaments connate half-way. Female flower, sep. pubescent, gland-toothed; pet. 0; disk 5-lobed, fleshy.

Between Suakin & Kassala (J. Iskeneib).

J. gallabatensis Schweinfth.

Shrub, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves simple to 3-lobed, 2-3 in. long; fimbriate-glandular-serrate; stip. fimbriate, glandular. Cymes terminal, 1¼ in. diam.; bracts ¼ in. long, stipitate-glandular. Male fl.: sep. toothed, minute; pet. ⅙ in. long; disk-glands flat; st. 8, 3 inner connate. Fem. fl.: sep. glandular-fimbriate, ⅙ in. long; pet. 5, ¼ in. long; disk 5-lobed. Seeds pale, ⅓ in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

J. Schweinfurthii Pax.

Densely tomentose herb. Leaves 3-lobed to middle, 3-6 in.[149] long, serrate. Cymes corymbose; peduncle up to 3 in. long. Male fl.: crowded; sep. and pet. 5, small, obovate; disk-glands obovate; st. 8, 3 inner connate. Fem. fl.: sep. lanceolate, pubescent outside, small; pet. free, ⅙ in. long, disk 5-lobed. Caps. tomentose, ½ in. long; seeds ⅓ in. long, shining.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

J. æthiopica Muell. Arg.

Soft, fulvous-haired herb, 9 in. high. Leaves 3-partite, up to 4 in. long and broad, sharply serrulate; stip. glandular-fimbriate. Cymes 1½ in. diam. on 1½ in. long, stout peduncles. Male fl.: sep. small, toothed above; pet. free, small; st. 8, free. Fem. fl.: sep. ⅙ in. long, fimbriate; pet. 1/5 in. long, free; disk 5-lobed, ovary ellipsoid.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur).

242Manniophyton africanum Muell. Arg.

Diœcious shrub or climber; branches scabrous-stellate. Leaves alt., from ovate to 2-3 lobed, 3½-6 in. long; basal nerves 5; pet. up to 4 in.; stip. rigid, subulate, small. Male panicles solitary or 2-3 together in upper axils, up to 10 in. long, rough stellate-hairy; fl. clustered; calyx lobes 5 triangular, ⅛ in. long; pet. 5 connate, glabrous, 1/7 in. long; disk glands small; st. 17-20, free. Fem. panicle smaller and fewer flowered than male; cal. as male; cor. tomentose outside; disk absent. Caps. deeply trilobed, ab. 1 in. long, rusty hairy.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: near Um Yuru River).

243Caperonia serrata Presl. LASAKWA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

An erect, monœcious, hispid annual. Leaves narrow-lanceolate, sharply serrate, 2-4 in. long, glabrous or nearly so. Racemes axillary 2-4 in. long, nearly glabrous; upper fl. male, lower fem., all solitary to a bract. Male fl.: calyx lobes 5, ovate-triangular; pet. 5, spathulate-oblong, subequal; st. 10, connate below, 2-seriate above, disk 0. Fem. fl.: sep. 8-10, unequal, inner larger; pet. 5, shorter than inner sep. Caps. ¼ in. wide; accrescent sepals 1/10-1/8 in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Sobat River (Nasser); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).

244Chrozophora plicata A. Juss. var. (α) typica Prain. TERBA (Blue Nile), AKASA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GHANEM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Prostrate branching herb, with thick root stock. Leaves nearly orbicular or subtrilobed, margin undulate, plicate, ab. 1 in. long, woolly. Racemes monœcious, axillary dense, upper fl. male. Male fl. calyx 5-lobed valvate; pet. 5, pink;[150] st. 12-15 connate below, 3-seriate above. Fem. fl.: calyx 5-lobed, pet. 5; disk-glands alt. with petals. Caps. 3-coccous, red-purple, ⅓ in. wide, pubescent.

Nubia; Dongola Prov.; On river banks and depressions on cotton soil in most parts of the Sudan; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani, Sennar, Abu Surga); White Nile Prov. (Geteina & Salati); Kordofan Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nuer District).

var. (β) obliguifolia Prain.

Leaves up to 2 in. Petals yellow.

Nubia; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (near Shendi); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

The fruit yields a blueish dye. A strong fibre is yielded by this plant but it is not easily detachable. The seeds and leaves have purgative properties.

C. oblongifolia A. Juss.

Bushy white or tawny herb or undershrub. Leaves ovate-rhomboid or oblong to lanceolate, margins sublobed, 1-4 in. long. Racemes as above. Male fl.: calyx as above; pet. yellowish-white; st. 5-10, 1-2 seriate. Fem. fl. much as above, but pet. linear. Caps. 2-coccous, blue-purple, ½ wide, scaly and with fringed margins.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (hills & sea-coast).

C. brocchiana Vis. var. (α) typica Prain. AGASSIR (Kordn.) & TARBA (Darfur)—Arab.

Woolly herb or undershrub. Leaves rhomboid or ovate, ¾-1½ in. long, margin undulate, often 3-lobed, velvety. Racemes very dense, sessile. Male fl.: calyx pubescent; pet. yellow; st. 5-10, 1-2 seriate. Fem. fl.: sep. and pet. ¼ in. long. Caps. 3-coccous, white, tinged violet, ⅓ in. wide, scaly.

Nubia; Dongola Prov. (Debba); Kassala Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Sennar); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad, Goghan); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

var. (β) Hartmanni Schwfth. ATTARR (Kordn.)—Arab.

Leaves rather larger, 1-2 in. long, margin distinctly 3-lobed; long spreading stellate hairs on both surfaces.

Berber Prov. (Saggaddi); Between Atbara & Red Sea Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

245Manihot utilissima Pohl. BABWA (sweet var.) & BAZMANGI (bitter var.)—Zande.

The Manioc or Cassava.

Shrub or tall woody herb with tuberous roots and 3-7 lobed leaves.

Cultivated on the Bahr El Jebel and the southern portion of the Bahr El Ghazal.

[151]It is cultivated for its tubers which are eaten when cooked. The juice of the uncooked tuber is poisonous. The tubers also yield tapioca.

246Cephalocroton cordofanus Hochst.

Monœcious undershrub, highly aromatic when young. Stems and leaves stellate- and often glandular-pubescent when young. Leaves alternate, ovate-cordate, dentate, ½-2 in. long. Male perianth 4-lobed, hairy, st. 8; fem. perianth 4-lobed, lobes bi-tri-pinnatipartite, ovary 3-lobed, tomentose, styles 3, many times divided.

Nubia; Kassala Prov. (North of Meharrakat & Gedaref, Matamma); Atbara River (Hillet Idris); Fung Prov. (Roseires, Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.

247Erythrococca bongensis Pax.

Diœcious, apetalous shrub, 2-6 ft. high. Leaves alt., short-petioled, ovate, base cuneate, margin obscurely crenate, 1-2 in. long; stipules accrescent, usually spinulose. Male fl. minute, in sessile glomerules; per. 3-lobed; sta. 9-12; fem. fl. not known.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gurfala).

E. africana Prain.

Diœcious shrub; bud-scales persistent. Leaves alt., short-petioled, ovate, acuminate, 2-2½ in. long, margin faintly crenate; stipules minute, scarious. Fl. small, in slender-peduncled racemes. Male fl. per. 4-lobed, green; st. 24, filaments shorter than anthers. Fem. fl. per. deeply 2-lobed. Ovary usually 2-celled; stigmas connate at base, papillose. Caps. didymous, rarely 3-coccous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).

E. flaccida Prain.