ANGIOSPERMÆ (continued 3)
Reading edition
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. 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; 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.
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.
Shrub or small tree; bud-scales persistent. Leaves ovate, acuminate, base cuneate, denticulate, pubescent; stip. scarious, minute. Fl. small, in slender-peduncled racemes, male up to ½ in. long, female 1¼ in. long, 12-16 flowered.
Male per. 4-lobed; st. ab. 34; fem. per. 2-lobed; ovary 2-celled, stigmas linear-ovate, at length recurved. Caps. didymous; seeds with red aril.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
248Micrococca mercurialis Benth.
Sparingly hirsute annual, ½-2 ft. high. Leaves alt., except the lowest, petioles ½-⅔ in. long; limb oblong or ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 in. long, margin bluntly toothed. Racemes slender, axillary, 2-3 in. long. Male fl. minute, per. 3-lobed; st. usually 6, 2-seriate, sometimes up to 20, multiseriate; fem. per. 3-partite; styles short, fimbriate. Caps. 2-4-coccous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Mbomo on the River Lessi).
249Acalypha Grantii Baker & Hutchinson.
Shrub ab. 6 ft. high, probably diœcious. Leaves alt., ovate, acuminate to caudate, rounded or subcordate, digitately 5-nerved at base, 2-2½ in. long, coarsely serrate; pet. ½-1¼ in. long; stip. linear, deciduous. Male fl. not known. Fem. spikes terminal, ab. ¾ in. long; bracts small, minutely toothed; sep. 3, ovate, ciliate above; ovary 3-celled, pilose above; styles 3, purple, deeply laciniate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Sabbi); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
A. paniculata Miq.
Monœcious herb, 2-5 ft. high; stems densely pilose above. Leaves ovate, subcordate or truncate and 5-nerved at base, sparingly bristly on both sides, coarsely crenate-serrate, 1½-3½ in. long; pet. 1-3½ in. long; stip. subulate. Male racemes solitary, axillary, 2½-5 in. long; buds small, 4-lobed; st. 8? Fem. fl. in terminal oblong panicle 6-8 in. long; branches simple up to 2½ in. long, a few male fl. at the base of each; sepals 5; ovary slightly 3-lobed with wart-like lumps; styles deeply 4-6 partite.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. senensis Klotzsch.
Monœcious shrub or undershrub; stems angular or deeply grooved, usually hirsute. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, gradually acuminate, cordate and 5-nerved at base, serrate, 1¼-7 in. long; pet. ½-1¼ in. long. Male spikes axillary, ¾-2½ in. long. Fem. spikes terminal, ¾-1¼ in. long; bracts suborbicular, deeply 7-10 toothed; sep. 4; ovary 3-4 lobed; styles 3-4, slightly connate at base, purple, slightly laciniate, ab. ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land; Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. ornata Hochst.
Monœcious undershrub or woody herb; branches somewhat grooved and hirsute. Leaves ovate, caudate, 5-nerved at base, coarsely serrate, sparingly pilose on nerves, 2-4½ in. long; pet. ½-2½ in. long; stip. subulate. Male infl. axillary, solitary, slender, 1½-2 in. long. Fem. infl. terminal, solitary, 2-3½ in. long; bracts ovate-rhomboid, acuminate, ¼ in. long, 1-flowered, toothed. Ovary 3-lobed, pilose above; styles 3, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Gindua River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kulenjo).
A. villicaulis Hochst.
Monœcious herb from a woody root stock; stems angular hirsute. Leaves linear-lanceolate to ovate, hirsute, acuminate, cordate and 5-7 nerved at base, crenate-serrate, 1½-4½ in. long; pet. ½-2½ in. long, hirsute, often with 2 glands at apex. Male infl. axillary, solitary, peduncled, 1½-2½ in. long. Fem. spikes 1-3 together at end of each shoot; bracts small, toothed, pubescent; sep. coriaceous ovate, pilose on back. Ovary densely pilose; styles 3, laciniate, ab. ⅓ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: on the banks of the Gendua River); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
A. fruticosa Forsk. RIKTUDA—Rashida; MŪT—Hadendowa.
Shrub. Leaves alt., ovate, shortly acuminate, usually abruptly cuneate, also 3-5 nerved at the base, crenate to serrate, up to 4 in. long and bearing golden-coloured glands on lower surface. Infl. axillary, up to ½ in. long, consisting of 2-3 unilateral dentate bracts each containing a solitary fem. fl. and of a very short terminal male spike; ovary with golden glands; styles 3, much branched.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Bahr El Jebel.
The leaves are used in India as a stomachic in dyspepsia and in cholera.
A. brachystachya Hornem.
Slender monœcious annual, 6-12 in. high. Leaves ovate, shortly acuminate, cordate or rounded and 5-7 nerved at base, serrate, ½-1½ in. long; pet. ½-1¾. long. Infl. bisexual, short, axillary, solitary or geminate, of 6-9 fem. fl. below, and male fl. in short, dense terminal cluster; axis pubescent. Fem. bracts tripartite; sep. 3; ovary bristly; styles slender, laciniate.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
A. psilostachya Hochst.
Herb or undershrub; stems hirsute when young. Leaves ovate or rhomboid, acutely caudate, rounded or cordate and 5-7 nerved at base, 2-3½ in. long, serrate, bristly on both surfaces. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, 1-3 in. long, of 3-4 fem. fl. near the base, otherwise male. Fem. bracts 5-lobed; sep. 3, ovate; ovary hirsute; styles 3, ¼ in. long, laciniate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).
A. hochstetteriana Muell. Arg.
Monœcious annual, up to 2 ft. high, sparingly hairy. Leaves lanceolate or elliptic, slightly acuminate, 3-5 nerved at base, ¾-3 in. long, crenulate, pellucid-dotted. Male spikes solitary in each leaf axil together but separate from a solitary fem. fl. Male fl., sep. 4. Fem. fl., bract small, saucer-shaped; sep. 3; ovary warted; styles short, laciniate.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
A. ciliata Forsk.
Monœcious herb, ab. 3 ft. high; stem grooved, shortly pubescent. Leaves ovate, caudate, 5-nerved at base, 1½-4½ in. long, crenate-serrate, slightly scabrous; pet. 1-3½ in. long. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary or in pairs, ¾-1 in. long, with ab. 10 fem. fl. in the lower part, upper part male, spicate. Fem. bracts suborbicular, laciniate-toothed, ribbed; sep. 3, small; ovary slightly pubescent; styles 3, slender, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
A. glomerata Hutchinson.
Erect branched herb; stem sulcate pubescent with short and with gland-tipped hairs. Leaves ovate- to rhomboid-elliptic, obtuse, 5-nerved at base, 1-2½ in. long, crenate, rough-pubescent; pet. quite as long as leaves. Infl. monœcious, crowded in clusters at ends of branches. Fem. bracts small, sub-reniform, with 8-10 triangular gland-tipped teeth, crowded; sep. 3, ciliate; ovary 3-lobed, pubescent; styles short, slender, divided almost to the base.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Addai & Gir).
A. crenata Hochst.
Annual, up to 18 in. high; stem grooved, short-pubescent. Leaves ovate, 5-nerved at base, 1-2 in. long, crenate, glabrous; pet. at least as long as leaves. Infl. bisexual; fem. fl. crowded at base and a few abortive ones at tip, male fl. in between, few. Fem. bracts ciliate, not gland-tipped; ovary pilose, styles 3, laciniate, slender.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov.
A. indica Linn.
Erect, almost unbranched herb, up to 3 ft. high, shortly pubescent and angular. Leaves lanceolate- to rhomboid-ovate, acute, cuneate and 5-nerved at base, 1-2½ in. long, serrate, glabrous except on nerves; pet. usually longer than blade. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, or in pairs, up to 2½ in. long with 1-7 distant fem. fl. below and few terminal male fl., with 1 abortive fem. fl. at tip. Fem. bracts 1-2 flowered, suborbicular, up to ⅓ in. broad, with 10-12 triangular teeth; sep. 3; ovary deeply 3-lobed, pilose; styles short, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Khartoum Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
The roots, leaves and tender shoots are used in India for various disorders. The juice of the plant is esteemed as an emetic for children.
A. bipartita Muell. Arg.
Climbing shrub, branches angular. Leaves ovate, acuminate, rounded or subcuneate and digitately 15-nerved at base, 1¼-2½ in. long, serrate, densely pubescent on nerves below; pet. ½-¾ in. long, pubescent. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, pedunculate; ped. ab. 1 in. long with a fem. 2-fl. bract slightly above middle, upper part male, spicate, 1-1½ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
250Lepidoturus laxiflorus Benth.
Diœcious shrub or small tree. Leaves oblong, acuminate, rounded and 3- (rarely 5-) nerved at base, 3-5 in. long, closely crenate, shining and glabrous above, long hairy on nerves below; pet. 1-1½ in. long. Male spikes numerous from below the leaves, at length 2-3 in. long; bracts scarious, ovate; calyx usually 4-lobed; st. 8, filam. slightly connate at base. Fem. spikes few-flowered; calyx 3-5-sect; ovary 3-celled, pubescent; styles long, slender, simple; capsule 3-dymous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River & Linduku River & Kulenjo).
251Alchornea cordifolia Muell. Arg.
A. cordata Benth.
Shrub or small tree, erect or half-climbing. Leaves broadly ovate, cordate, 4-8 in. long. 3-6 in. broad, subentire, with a gland in the axil of each nerve at the base. Male spikes in copious axillary panicles. Styles 2. Fruit puberulous.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. glabrata Prain.
Shrub or tree, up to 40 ft. high. Leaves alt., almost subsessile, oblong or oblong-oblanceolate, acute, narrowed to base, entire or crenate, 4-6 in. long, with 1-2 pairs of glands at or near the base below. Infl. diœcious. Male spikes panicled, terminal; calyx 4-lobed; st. 8 or less, free or slightly connate at base. Fem. spikes simple, terminal; calyx-lobes usually 4 (to 6); caps. 3-celled, smooth, ⅓ in. across; styles simple, linear.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru River).
252Neoboutonia macrocalyx Pax.
Diœcious tree, up to 65 ft. high. Leaves cordate-orbicular, 5-7 nerved at base, 8 in. long, hoary-stellate and sparsely lepidote on nerves beneath; stip. lanceolate, under ½ in. long. Male fl. copiously panicled, nearly ¼ in. across; calyx 2-fid, stellate pubescent; sta. ab. 30, connective of anther with a terminal gland. Fem. fl. in simple or sparingly branched racemes, ¾ in. wide; sep. 5, accrescent, connate below; styles 2-fid, rather broad; caps. 3-coccous, ½ in. across. Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
N. canescens Pax.
Diœcious tree, 25-40 ft. high; twigs rusty-scurfy. Leaves petioled, orbicular-cordate, acute, entire, 5-7 nerved at base, 4-8 in. long, sparingly stellate-scurfy on main nerves above, beneath closely adpressed scurfy. Male fl. copiously panicled; calyx glabrous; sta. ab. 20, filaments hardly longer than anthers; connective usually with 3 apical glands. Fem. fl. in copiously branched racemes, small; ovary with tufts of stellate hairs; styles narrow with 2 linear lobes. Caps. 3-coccous, brown-scurfy, ¼ in. across.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
253Mallotus oppositifolius Muell. Arg.
Diœcious shrub, 6-12 ft. high. Leaves opp., ovate-acuminate or acute, cordate or obtuse and 3-nerved at base, 6-7 in. long, somewhat sinuate-dentate, rusty-stellate on nerves and glandular beneath. Racemes axillary, rachis rusty-pubescent. Male 4-5 in. long; fl. glomerate; calyx 4 (-5) valved; sta. numerous, free, purple. Fem. in fl. 2½-3 in. long; sep. 4-5; ovary 3-celled, globose; stigmas plumose. Caps. 3-coccous, ¼-⅓ in. wide.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River, Dar Fertit: Biri River near Deim Zubeir, Bongo-land: Baiko); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).
254Macaranga Schweinfurthii Pax.
Armed diœcious shrub to lofty tree; spines on stem and branches. Leaves alt., ovate, shallow lobed, irregularly toothed, 6-18 in. long; base narrowly deep-cordate and with a pair of glands at junction with petiole; pet. 8-16 in. long; stip. ovate, 1¼ in. long. Male fl. in lateral panicles, fascicled in axils of fallen leaves; sta. 2-5. Fem. fl. in short lateral racemes; ovary glabrous, 2-3 celled; stigmas spreading; caps. 2-coccous; cocci ½ in. across.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru & Diagbe Rivers).
255Ricinus communis Linn. var. genuina Mull. Arg. HURUA or KHIRUWI—Arab; BULLAS—Hadendowa; BOMBŌR (Dilling) & PWA (Kadugli)—Nuba; HOLLOLA or SHUNSHUMUT—Hameg; FAP—Nuer; BUNGA—Zande. The Castor-Oil Plant.
Tall herb or shrub, with deeply 7 or more lobed palmate leaves. Fl. in large pyramidal panicles, males below, fem. above. Caps. prickly; seeds mottled.
Semi-wild on river banks; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.
The seeds yield the Castor-Oil of commerce. The leaves, pounded into a paste, are applied externally for headaches.
var. africana Muell. Arg.
Fruit with only few prickles.
Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Kōn).
256Dalechampia scandens Linn. var. cordofana Muell. Arg. DEMCHIRAI (Meshra El Zeraf) & ABULISEIG (N. Kordn.)—Arab; GADIANG (or AGADIANG) (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Slender, monœcious climber; stem pubescent; leaves deeply 3-5 partite; lobes rather wide-oblong, acute or obtuse; base cordate, 5-7 nerved; length 2-5 in. Fl. in dense, long peduncled axillary heads, subtended by a pair of yellowish, ½-¾ in. long and broad bracts.
Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb); Khartoum Prov. (J. Malakhit); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid to Melbes); Upper White Nile Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor, Dinka-land).
It is used for scorpion stings.
257Tragia cannabina Linn. f. DEMCHIRAI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; MADIAB-DIAB (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Sub-erect or rambling herb, 2-5 ft. high, sometimes hispid with white, stinging hairs. Leaves alt., deeply 3-partite, sometimes 5-partite at base, sometimes without lateral lobes, central lobe oblong, 2½ in. long, margin lobulate; nerves bristly; pet. ¼-½ in. long. Racemes bisexual, leaf-opposed, 1-2 in. long on naked, bristly 2-3 in. long peduncles; male fl. rather lax, numerous, fem. fl. 2-3 below the male; bracts lanceolate, small. Male sep. 3, ovate; sta. 3. Fem. calyx segm. 6, with dense white bristles, accrescent later. Ovary bristly; styles 3, connate in lower half. Caps. 3-coccous.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Sobat River (Nasser); Bahr El Jebel (Shambé and Bari country); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
var. Brouniana Prain.
Herb, 4-6 in. high, hispid, and with white, stinging hairs. Leaves short-petioled, deeply 3-partite, narrow-lanceolate, central lobe 2 in. and lateral ½ in. long; margin sparingly toothed. Racemes terminal, occasionally leaf-opposed, under 1 in. long.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post, Saoleil); Up. White Nile Prov. (Kaka); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli).
The root is chewed and applied to scorpion stings.
var. intermedia Prain.
Stems erect or sub-erect, 2-3 ft. high, glabrous or pubescent, beset with white, stinging hairs. Leaves distinctly petiolate, the lowest 3-partite, the upper sometimes all without lateral lobes, central lobe lanceolate, 3½ in. long, sparingly sharply toothed. Racemes leaf-opposed.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile (Dinka country).
T. tripartita Schwfth.
Erect herb, 1½-2 ft. high, woody below; stem with sparse stinging hairs. Leaves deeply 3-partite, lobes lanceolate or lin.-lanceolate, the central one 4-7 in. long, margin subentire; pet. up to ⅓ in. long. Racemes bisexual, terminal and leaf-opposed, 2 in. long on naked peduncles 1-3 in. long; male fl. above and 1-3 fem. fl. below; bracts ab. ⅙ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
T. cordifolia Vahl.
Slender twiner, without stinging hairs, puberulous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, long acuminate, cordate, 2½-4 in. long; margin serrate or almost fimbriate dentate, puberulous and bristly on nerves; pet. ½-2½ in. long. Racemes bisexual, terminal, rather lax, 1½-2½ in. long, with a naked peduncle ½-2 in. long. Male fl. numerous above and a solitary basal fem. fl. Pedicels, both sexes, as long as their bracts and usually solitary.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. El Amira); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
T. mitis Hochst.
Slender twiner without stinging hairs. Differs from above in being diœcious and in the male fl. being above on the raceme in 3-fl. glomerules and from middle downwards in lax 3-fl. cymules.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma & near Hammad).
T. bongolana Prain.
Slender climber. Leaves retrosely hispid on nerves and petioles. Male fl. twice as large as in above, otherwise much alike.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Sabbi & between Kero & Reggo).
T. Benthami Baker.
Slender climber, finely puberulous and with few stinging hairs. Leaves ovate acute or acuminate, shallowly or rarer deeply wide cordate, sharply serrate, 2-4 in. long, sparingly bristly on nerves; pet. ¾-2½ in. long, bristly with stinging hairs. Racemes lateral and terminal on lateral branches, ½-¾ in. long with a naked peduncle, ¼-⅓ in. long, densely set with stinging hairs; male fl. numerous above and 2-3 basal fem. fl.; pedicels, both sexes, solitary, almost as long as the bracts.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
T. Schweinfurthii Baker.
Diœcious herb from woody base, 4-8 in. high, densely pilose, without stinging hairs. Leaves linear-oblong to lanceolate, 1½-2 in. long, minutely serrate, sessile or nearly so. Racemes terminal and leaf-opposed, more numerous on male plant. Male racemes 1½-4 in. long with a short pilose peduncle; pedicels shorter than the lanceolate bracts; sep. 3; sta. 3. Fem. racemes ¾-1½ in. long, with a pilose peduncle ⅓-½ in. long; fl. 3-6; pedicels longer than bracts; calyx-segm. 6, at length accrescent; styles 3, short, connate at base; caps. 3-coccous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit & Golo country).
ULMACEÆ.
258Celtis integrifolia Lam. IBNU (Baggara), LEBINGA (Fung Prov.) or MAHAGAYA (Kordn.)—Arab; EIRĀL (Dilling) & DOMBELABAI (Fan Yan)—Nuba; BAKKA—Bari.
Large tree with smooth, grey bark. Leaves alt., shortly petioled, ovate, short acuminate, base unequally rounded, entire, 1½-3 in. long, 3-nerved. Infl. polygamous, axillary, shorter than the leaf, cymose, hermaphr. fl. above, few, male fl. below, numerous, shorter stalked; calyx 4-5 lobed; stamens 4-5, minute; stigma bifid, sometimes twice so. Drupe ovoid, globose, about ⅓ in. long.
Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Dueim); Kordofan Prov. (near Singukai); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dar Nuba); Sobat River; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dinka: Ghazal River, Mittu: Mvolo, Rohl River); Bahr El Jebel.
Wood perishable, yellowish white, density 0.750.
259Trema guineensis Ficalho.
Shrub or tree; branches hairy. Leaves alt., ovate-oblong, acute to acuminate, base unequally cordate, 2½-4 in. long, margin denticulate, basally 3-nerved; petiole short. Infl. axillary, polygamous dense; fl. 5-merous, minute. Drupe small.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land).
260Chætacme microcarpa Rendle.
Shrub or small tree, armed with solitary or paired axillary spines. Leaves alt., distichous, elliptic-oblong to ovate, apiculate, 2-4 in. long. Infl. monœcious, male fl. greenish, axillary, cymose; calyx 5-partite; sta. 5; fem. fl. solitary or few; calyx 5-partite; style 2-branched; drupe globose, ⅓ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
ROSACEÆ.
261Rubus sp.
Scandent shrub. Leaves pinnate, with prickly axis; leaflets ovate-oblong, acutely acuminate, doubly serrate, 2-3 in. long, pubescent on the nerves beneath. Flowers paniculate; buds ovoid silky, with long glabrous tips.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River)
262Parinarium curatellifolium Planch.
Small or moderate-sized tree, tawny-tomentose on extremities. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, 4½ in. long. Flowers terminal or from the upper axils, in panicles 3-6 in. long; calyx tube campanulate; petals 5, inserted in mouth of calyx tube; stamens 7 to many, united into a tube at base. Drupe size of a plum, edible.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Wau & Biselli).
Hard, heavy wood, light brown in colour, suitable for joinery. Fruit the size of a plum, edible.
263Potentilla supina Linn.
Decumbent herb, up to 1 ft. high, with pinnately 3-5 fol. leaves and leaf-opposed yellow flowers.
Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
The plant is rich in tannin and is probably astringent and tonic. The root is sometimes used as a febrifuge.
264Neurada procumbens Linn.
Tomentose annual, with procumbent branches. Leaves ovate-oblong with 1-4 obtuse lobes on each side, ab. ½ in. long. Flowers axillary, solitary, roundish, hairy. Fruit orbicular, ¾ in. across, prickly.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab, & 21° N.L.)
CHAILLETIACEÆ.
265Dichapetalum Schweinfurthii Engl.
Large shrub. Leaves obliquely oblong-elliptic, acute, the large about 6 in. by 2½ in., slightly pubescent on the nerves below. Flowers axillary, clustered white or yellow, sweet smelling. Petals bilobed. Fruit globose, tomentose.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole River).
CÆSALPINIACEÆ.
266Cæsalpinia pulcherrima Sw.
Shrub with bi-pinnate leaves and orange-red flowers, with very long tassel-like stamens.
Introduced. Cultivated for its brilliant orange-red flower.
267Poinciana elata Linn. OGOI—Hadendowa.
Small to middle-sized tree. Leaves abruptly bi-pinnate; flowers large whitish, turning orange when fading.
Red Sea Prov.
Wood yellow, close, even-grained, easily worked, weight 45-48 lbs. per cft.
P. regia Bojer. The Flamboyant or the Gold Mohur Tree.
Large tree, frequently flowers before the leaves appear. Leaves abruptly bi-pinnate; pinnæ 8-20 pair. Flowers large. Introduced. Highly ornamental.
268Parkinsonia aculeata Linn. SESABAN (wrongly named)—Arab.
Small spiny tree. Leaves bi-pinnate; secondary petioles abruptly pinnate, somewhat flattened; leaflets small. Flowers yellow; pods constricted between the seeds. Throughout the Sudan (Introduced).
269Cassia Kotschyana Oliv. SENNA & UMKATSHU—Arab; GAFELE & BOYEH—Golo; OKIL—Jur; RATU—Zande.
Small tree. Leaves abruptly pinnate; flowers in long drooping panicles, showy, yellow; pods cylindrical, up to 2 ft. long and ab. ½ in. in diameter, break transversely.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
C. occidentalis Linn. ’SORIB (Baggara) & SENNA—Arab; ASHASHI (Dilling) & ASHASHINI (J. Ghulfan)—Nuba.
Semi-woody herb, up to 5 ft. high. Leaves abruptly pinnate; rachis 4-6 in. long, with a gland at base; leaflets 4-5 pair, narrow with acute apex. Flowers yellow; pod linear, slightly compressed between the seeds.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov. (Shendi); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.
The leaves, roots, and seeds are used medicinally, i.e., pounded leaves for healing fresh wounds, the seeds in ringworm, and the root as diuretic. An infusion of the leaves is considered useful in bilious fevers. The seeds toasted, and ground, are used as a substitute for coffee.
C. Sieberiana DC.
Small tree, glabrous or extremities puberulous. Leaflets 6-14 pair, ovate-elliptical, up to 3½ in. long. Racemes 4-18 in. long; bracts present during flowering; flowers yellow; 3 stamens longer than the other 7. Pod sub-cylindrical, elongate.
Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov.
Wood very hard and heavy, fibrous, yellow ochre colour, density 0.818. Difficult working, suitable for joinery, cart building. Resistant to pests.
C. Arereh Del. GARADAYA (Fung)—Arab; KAFA—Burun; UMFLOGORU—Hameg; GAFELE—Golo; MASISI—Bongo.
Shrub or small tree. Leaflets 7-9 pairs, ovate to lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, reticulately-veined, 2½ in. long. Racemes terminal short; bracts present at flowering time; petals yellow; 3 stamens longer than the rest. Pod cylindrical, up to 20 in. long and 1 in. in diam., dehisces longitudinally showing numerous dissepiments.
Nubia; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (South); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Chak Chak); Mongalla Prov.
C. Tora Linn. HEREISHAH—Arab; KAITELANG (Dilling)—Nuba; KIAR (Mongalla)—Dinka.
Erect annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3-pair, obovate, with a gland on the rachis between the lowest one or two pairs. Flowers yellow, solitary or in pairs; pod 6-8 in. long, thin, quadrangular, curved when young.
Kassala Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Agade); Mongalla Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
Has similar properties to C. occidentalis Linn. (above).
C. obovata Collad. SANNA or SENNA EL KELB—Arab; AMBARKI—Hadendowa; ALL’A (Dilling)—Nuba.
Bushy herb. The flat pod has a series of crested plaits on its sides. Leaflets 3-7 pairs, obovate to oblong. Racemes axillary, bracts rotundate, ovate; 2 anthers longer than the rest.
Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov., and most parts of the Northern Sudan.
The leaves are occasionally mixed with those of the true Senna.
C. holosericea Fresen.
Shrubby and velvety. Leaflets 5-8 pairs, ovate to oblong, 1 in. long. Racemes shorter than the leaves. Pod 1½ in. long, broadly falcate.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Seterri, South of Suakin); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
C. didymobotrya Fres.
Shrub, 10 ft. high. Leaflets 8-16 pairs, oval-oblong, apex rounded, mucronate, base obliquely rounded. Racemes 5-12 in. long, from upper axils, flowers packed at first in imbricate, caducous bracts. Pod linear-oblong, 3-4 in. long.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
C. acutifolia Del. SENNA or SENNA EL RIF (N. Kordn.) & SENNA MEKKA—Arab.
Undershrub. The flat pod has no crest on its side. Leaflets 4-5 pairs, oval to lanceolate, acute. Racemes from axils of upper leaves, much longer than the leaves; pods broadly oblong, slightly curved, without crest on the sides, ab. 2 in. long.
North Sudan; Red Sea Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile, Darfur & Kordofan Provinces.
The pods and leaves constitute the true Alexandrian Senna of commerce.
C. Absus Linn. HABBAT EL AIN (N. Kordn.) & HAB EL AIN (Port Sudan)—Arab.
Erect annual, 1-2 ft. high, covered with bristly glandular hair. Leaves small; rachis swollen at the base and with a gland between every one of the 4 pairs of leaflets, which are broadly oval or obovate-oval; pod 1-2 in., hairy, linear, ab. ¼ in. broad.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
The seeds are used for ophthalmia and the ringworm.
C. mimosoides Linn.
Shrubby. Leaflets very small, linear, unequal sided, usually 10-80 pair; flowers yellow; pod linear, ab. 2 in. long, slightly pilose.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid & Tekele); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé); Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
C. nigricans Vahl. SURIB (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Erect herb, up to 5 ft. high, somewhat similar to above. Leaflets small, 8-18 pair; flowers very small. Pod linear, ab. 2 in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Harun); Kordofan Prov. (near Rahad); Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov.
C. goratensis Fresen.
Shrub or small tree. Leaflets 7-9 pairs, oblong to obovate-elliptic, rounded both ends, pubescent, 1½ in. long, with inter-petiolular glands. Flowers corymbose, crowded at ends of branches; petals yellow, large, unequal. Pods constricted, up to 4 in. long.
Blue Nile Prov. (Upper); White Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (near Gigging).
270Bauhinia fassoglensis Kotschy. KARAUERAU—Arab; PAJ (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka & Jur; USIN—Golo; KORA—Hameg.
Scandent shrub. Leaves bilobed, like a camel’s foot, up to 4½ in. broad. Flowers in leaf-opposed or terminal racemes, 1 ft. long; calyx strongly keeled; cor. white; stamens 10, of which usually only 2 perfect.
Kassala & Blue Nile Provinces (Sennar to Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi).
B. rufescens Lam. KULKUL—Arab; TARWARA (Dilling)—Nuba.
Small tree, with smooth, white bark. Leaves bilobed, small, usually under 1 in. diam. Flowers white, small, fragrant, in terminal racemes or corymbs; calyx spathaceous; stamens 10, perfect. Pod linear, coriaceous, curved, up to 3½ in. long.
Kordofan, Nuba Mts. & Darfur Provinces.
Wood hard, homogeneous, close and fine grained, density 0.713, light brown in colour, used in carpentry. The bark is employed for making ropes, and also for tanning leather. As with other species of this genus various parts are used in native medicine.
B. reticulata DC. ABU KHAMEIRA, TAMBAREIB & KHARUB—Arab; KUBUY (Dilling); KIRKONGAW (J. Eliri), BĀSIGSI (Kadugli) & KADAWDO (Rashad-Talodi)—Nuba; POFFEH—Bari; PAI (Renk) & PAJ (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; PAJ—Jur; KWIELIA or USIN—Golo; MUGGAL—Hameg; DANG & NGWAIN—Nuer; FOICHA—Burun; DAGPA—Zande.
Small tree; young parts rufous. Leaves large, bilobed. Flowers numerous; calyx rufous; petals white. Pod long, flat, somewhat twisted, glossy, dark brown, up to 1 ft. long and 3 in. broad.
South of Lat. 13° N.
Wood rather hard, light brown in colour, density 0.707, homogeneous, works easily, but is seldom of useful size, it makes poor fuel. Ropes and clothes are made from the bast fibre by Golo-women. The seeds are eaten. A decoction of leaves is used as a gargle for toothache. From the roots a mahogany-coloured pigment is obtained.
B. variegata Linn. Camel-foot tree.
Moderate-sized tree, with bilobed leaves and axillary racemes of purple and cream-coloured flowers. Pod 6-18 in. long, linear, flat.
Introduced. Grown in gardens.
271Isoberlinia sp. KOBBO—Bongo.
Leaflets, 4 pairs, ovate, oblique, 5-6 in. long, 3 in. broad, reticulate. Flowers paniculate. Sepals velvety. Bracts small, deciduous. Fruits woody. Seeds orbicular, flat.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).
272Berlinia acuminata Solander. ERIANGA & KOBA—Dinka; KA & AKKA—Golo; KOBA—Jur; KAWBAW—Bongo.
Large tree with rough, exfoliating bark; occasionally forms pure crops. Leaves large, abruptly pinnate; leaflets 3-6 pair, 3-9 in. long. Pods up to 15 in. long and 3 in. broad, flat, olive green, velvety, curling up spirally after dehiscing. Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
Wood fibrous, density 0.649, light brownish yellow in colour, works well, but is readily attacked by insects. Useful for small furniture, boats, carts, etc.
273Pahudia (Afzelia) africana Smith. RIANG—Dinka; PO—Golo; BEI—Jur; PAWE—Zande.
Very large tree. Leaves paripinnate; leaflets 6-10, glossy, alternate. Pods up to 9 in. long and 3 in. wide, thick, woody, splitting into two flat, boat-shaped halves; seeds black, surmounted by orange-coloured aril at the base.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (near Mongalla).
Timber reddish, resembling Mahogany, strong, somewhat coarse-grained.
274Daniellia thurifera Bennett. KELA—Bongo; BELIN & SHANDA—Dinka; BU or BINDA—Golo; SHANDA—Jur; BOVOTODE—Zande.
Very large tree, with a clean bole, up to 50 ft. before branching; bark smooth, light grey. Leaves abruptly pinnate. Leaflets 5-9 pairs, coriaceous, 2-7 in. long. Pods flat, broad-falcate, 1-seeded, the seed being attached by a long, thread-like process to a membrane, which acts as a parachute in disseminating the seed.
Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
Timber light, streaky brown, moderately hard, light, density 0.505, coarse-grained, works easily, but readily attacked by insect pests; useful for light furniture, packing cases, knife handles. Good firewood. The tree yields a Frankincense (the Ogea gum of Sierra Leone) which exudes from holes made by boring insects or by tapping, and is collected and sold for body perfume. Bee-hives are made from strips of the bark.
275Tamarindus indica Linn. ARDEIB—Arab; SHEKERE (Dilling), KUASHI (J. Eliri) & DANUFI (Kadugli)—Nuba; BASHA & PATTA & (fruit), KITTEH—Bari; SHOWI (Renk & Bahr El Ghazal), SHWAI (Mongalla), TCHUWOI (Goz El Siada) & SHWAYAI (Kaka)—Dinka; SHWAH—Shilluk; KUAR & KWAT—Nuer; YENNO—Burun; SHOWI—Jur; ARUB or WASSA—Golo; MALAT—Hameg; MAHA—Bongo; ABANZA—Zande.
Large tree with dark-coloured, fissured bark. Leaves abruptly pinnate, 3-6 in. long; leaflets small, 10-15 pair. Pod pendulous, 3-8 in. long, 1 in. broad, the inner pericarp consisting of a red, acid pulp; seeds brown, hard.
Southern Sudan; Blue Nile Prov. (Upper); Kordofan Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).
Fruit called TAMR HINDI by Arabs, used for cooling drinks, also medicinally as laxative. The bark is said to have astringent and tonic properties. The seed yields an oil which may be used for varnish. The seed rubbed on a roughstone, with water, is a specific for carbuncular boils. The wood is hard, fibrous and heavy, density 0.777. It is rather difficult to work, but is very suitable for cabinet work as the heart-wood is beautifully mottled black and brown. It is resistant to insect pests, and is useful for carpentry, ship-building, carts, pestles and mortars.
276Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. ABU LEILA—Arab; GUDI (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; LOYO, LOIGO or MPORO or M’BOLO—Golo; AKUTI—Jur; MALAGUTU—Bongo.
Small to middle-sized tree. Leaves pari-pinnate; leaflets 6-12, alternate or opposite, undulate-crenate. Pod disc-shaped, 1½ in. in diameter, ½ in. thick; the inner pericarp is a sweet pulp, traversed by fibrous processes from the bony endocarp.
Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land & Jur-land).
The sweet pulp is eaten as a substitute for sugar. The tree grows to a large size in Nigeria; its timber is one of these exported under the name of “African Mahogany.” It is grey in colour, with a fine and regular grain, density 0.779. It is hard but works well. It is very resistant to pests and lasts long under water. Very suitable for carpentry, piles, fences, joinery, etc. It exudes a fragrant resin.
277Burkea africana Hook. f.
Small tree, 25 ft. high. Leaves bipinnate, up to 3 ft. long, collected towards ends of branches; pinnæ ab. 3 pairs; leaflets 6-12 per pinna. Flowers spicate, white, at end of branches. Pod up to 2½ in. long, oblong or elliptical, flat, coriaceous.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
Wood clear brown in colour with a fine close grain, density 0.677. It splits easily and is suited to light carpentry and furniture. Not very resistant to insect pests.
278Erythrophlæum guineense Don. KURU (Wau) & THIEPAGOK (Rumbek)—Dinka; BANGI or BEI—Golo; KOLU—Jur; IRRIK & GARO—Zande. The Red Water tree or Sass wood.
Very large tree. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; pinnæ 2-4 pairs; leaflets 6-11 per pinna. Flowers in dense spiciform panicles, small, white or pale yellow. Pod 3½ in. long and 1¾ in. broad, black, woody.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Khors).
Wood reddish brown, very heavy and hard to work, density 0.821. Close grained, fibres twisted. Suited to joinery and cabinet making. Very resistant to pests. The seeds, pods and bark are poisonous. The seeds are used by Dinkas as a test of a person’s guilt when accused of causing death by witchcraft or poison. The accused has to swallow some four of the seeds with water after these have been cut in two. If he dies he is guilty, but innocent if he is only sick.
MIMOSACEÆ.
279Parkia biglobosa Benth.
Tree, 50 ft. high. Leaves 9-18 in. long, bipinnate; pinnæ 14-30 pairs, with sessile glands at the base of 1 or 2 last pairs; leaflets 1-nerved, 50-70 pairs. Flowers red, in pendulous globose heads. Pods several in a bunch, 8-12 in. long, depressed between the seeds.
Upper White Nile.
Wood whitish, soft, density 0.699, medium grained, very flexible. Easily worked and suited to carpentry. The dry pulp of the pods furnishes a reddish flour containing 60 per cent. of sugar which is eaten with rice and meat; it is also used in the preparation of a fermented liquor. The bark and pods are used as a fish poison.
P. filicoidea Welw. UMRASHAD or MUDUS—Arab; AKON—Dinka; KOFO, LU or ULU—Golo; NWANA—Jur; RU—Bongo; ABONGBA—Zande.
Large tree with dark outer bark. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; pinnæ 6-9 pairs; leaflets 16-24 pairs, triplinerved. Flowers in dense pendulous, globose heads, ab. 1½ in. across, scarlet. Pods usually several together, flat, 8-12 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
Timber white, coarse, not durable. The mealy pulp in which the seeds are embedded is eaten. The bark is used for tanning.
280Entada Wahlbergii Harv.
Slender, unarmed climber. Leaves bipinnate; pinnæ 2-4-jugate; leaflets 4-18 pairs, linear-oblong up to 1 in. long. Spikes solitary or panicled; cor. reddish-brown. Pod flat, arcuate, the chord 4-6 in. long, with up to 13 articulate divisions, sutures thick, persistent after fall of the articles.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
E. sudanica Schwfth. SESABAN (Fung), UMKASHO (Baggara) & LAYUK (Jongol’s Post)—Arab; DEZA—Hameg.
Small tree with bipinnate leaves and large pods, the woody margins of which persist after the joints containing seeds have fallen out. Pinnæ 5-8-jugate; leaflets 14-20 pairs per pinna.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Mongalla Prov.
E. abyssinica Steud.
Small tree. Differs from the above by the greater number (14-18 pairs) of pinnæ and also (25-50 pairs) of leaflets in the pinnæ. Pods hardly constricted, ab. 6-12 in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
281Piptadenia africana Hook. f.
Tree. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; pinnæ 9-13 pair; leaflets 30-60 pair, small, linear; pod 9 in. long and ¾ in. broad, flat, linear; seed ¾ in. long and ¼ in. broad, narrow oval, furnished with a winged membrane nearly 3 in. long; flowers in cylindrical spikes.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
P. sp.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River: Batuka).
282Prosopis oblonga Benth. ABU SURUG—Arab; AIRI, GALL & GIER—Bongo; JIER (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; IJI, INJI or JI—Golo; KADOL—Jur; DIGRA—Burun; ZANGARE & INGE—Zande.
Moderate to fairly large tree, with rough bark; pinnæ 2-3-jugate, with a sessile gland between each pair; leaflets 5-11-jugate. Leaves abruptly bipinnate. Flowers in spikes, ab. 3 in. long, white. Pod smooth, oval in cross section. Seeds dark brown.
Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada).
Wood hard, very heavy, density 1.44, regular, strong, fine grained, takes good polish, dark reddish-brown in colour, is used by Bongos and Jurs for making charcoal for iron smelting. Good for carpentry, implements, boat building. Bark used for tanning, also as an antiseptic. Pods used for poisoning fish.
283Amblygonocarpus Schweinfurthii Harms. BINDI & NGUASSA—Dinka; BINDI—Jur; M’BOSSO & BISHI—Golo; DURA—Krej; GIER—Bongo.
Large tree, 1-3 ft. diam. Leaves bipinnate; leaflets broadly-elliptic, ¾ in. long, ½ in. broad, glabrous. Racemes 4 in. long. Flowers very numerous, dense, about ¼ in. long, anthers much curved. Fruits quadrangular.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Golo-land & Dar Fertit).
Wood light, fine grained, easily working, useful for joinery.
284Dichrostachys nutans Benth. KADADA—Arab; BARTO (J. Daier), KWĀR (Dilling) & KĒTIER (J. Eliri)—Nuba; RILEH—Bari; KĪR (White Nile), KI (Goz El Siada), KĪR & SHĪR (Mongalla)—Dinka; BAKANGO—Golo; ARBIT—Hameg; KIROH—Shilluk; TILLA or KITCHUN—Burun.
Large armed shrub, the spines being often leaf-bearing. Leaves abruptly bipinnate; pinnæ 5-10-jugate, with a stipitate gland between each pair; leaflets 12-22 pairs. Flowers in dense pink and yellow cylindrical heads; pods much twisted.
Kordofan Prov. & Southern Sudan.
Wood hard, compact, density 0.620, yellow ochre colour, good for cabinet making.
285Neptunia oleracea Lour.
Aquatic herb, often floating. Leaves bipinnate; pinnæ 2-3 pair, opposite; leaflets 8-20 pair. Flowers in an oblong head, ½-1 in. long, yellow; stamens 10. Pod 1 in. long by ¼ in. wide, long-stalked.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov.
Eaten as a pot-herb.
286Mimosa asperata Linn. HAB BITA EL AIN (Baggara), SHAGAR EL FAS & HABBAS—Arab; MOSAGHANI—Hameg; M’BASE—Golo.
Straggling, prickly shrub. Leaves bipinnate, sensitive; pinnæ 7-16 pair; leaflets 25-40-jugate. Flower heads globose, pinkish, on ab. 1 in. long axillary peduncles. Pod very hairy, compressed, linear-oblong, 1 in. long.
Southern Sudan (Edges of watercourses).
The fruit is used as medicine for the eyes in Kordofan.
287Acacia Sieberiana DC.
Moderate-sized tree, sometimes large. Stipular thorns straight, usually short on flowering shoots. Leaves bipinnate, as in other Sudan species; pinnæ 10-30 pair, with a large gland near base of rachis; leaflets 20-40 pair. Flower-heads globose, on 1-2 in. peduncles, which are solitary below and fascicled above. Pod 6-7 in. long, 2-valved, straight or slightly curved, compressed, ¾ in. broad.
Darfur Prov.: Bahr El Jebel (Madi woods).
Wood hard, yellow ochre colour, density 0.946 heartwood, 0.851 sapwood, readily attacked by insects (white ants, etc.); useful for packing cases, light furniture, mortars, implements. A decoction of the root acts as a vermifuge.
A. spirocarpa Hochst. SAYAL—Arab; TAWĀR or TOWAI—Hadendowa; KANDIA (J. Daier)—Nuba; MUTU—Bari.
Large tree with bipinnate leaves and straight stipular spines. Flower-heads globose, greenish-white; pods spirally twisted. Pinnæ 4-10 pairs; leaflets 7-15 pair, very small.
Northern Sudan; Blue Nile, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
The bast yields a strong fibre. The pods are called ULLAF—Arab.
A. tortilis Hayne. SAMR—Arab; SANGANEIP & SANGANĒ—Hadendowa; SAKBE—Rashida.
Obconical, flat-topped, large shrub or small tree, with straight and curved spines. Flower-heads globose, whitish; pods twisted. Pinnæ 2-5 pairs, glands on rachis minute or absent, leaflets 8-12 pairs, linear-oblong.
North Sudan.
Sapwood moderately dark or brown, heartwood small, dark brown. Medullary rays fine. Pores uniform, moderate sized, in concentric lines of flat arcs. Wood fairly hard and heavy, used in the Red Sea Prov. for ribs of boats and for pulleys and blocks. It is liable to attacks of boring insects.
A. nilotica DC.
Characters as in the next species, but pods quite glabrous.
Red Sea Prov. (near Suakin); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Wad Shellai).
A. arabica Willd. SANT, SNUT or SUNT—Arab; ALLWI (Goz El Siada)—Dinka; LENG—Burun; GARAD (Tagele)—Nuba.
Large tree with straight spines, up to 2 in. long. Flower-heads globose, yellow. Pods white, tomentose, much contracted between the seeds. Pinnæ usually 3-12 pairs with or without gland between lowest and, at times, 1 or 2 upper pairs; leaflets 10-30 pairs, linear-oblong.
North Sudan; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile (from 10° N.L. Northwards, rare South of Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada).
var. A. Adansonii Guill. & Perr.
Differs from above in the pods, which are not or hardly contracted between the seeds.
Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid).
The young bark yields a fibre. Timber hard, heavy, density 0.945 heartwood and 0.827 sapwood, durable, short fibred and somewhat brittle, resistant to water and white ants, used for construction work and boat building, building, etc. The pods, called GARAD by Arabs, as well as the bark, used for tanning, a decoction is administered in dysentery. The pods are also used as a dye. The gum, although inferior to that of A. Verek, is an article of commerce; that from India is known as “Ghatti gum.”
A. verugera Schwfth. KŪK—Arab; ABELAINY (Dilling), KWEILE (J. Eliri) & KUSSI (Kadugli)—Nuba; SHEBIL—Hameg; PUKULI—Bari; KOG (Kaka), TEP (Mongalla), TIP (Renk) & TIPAGOK (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; TIAP—Shilluk; TEF—Nuer; DAGLIE—Zande.
Very large tree with grey-white bark and with straight, white spines, 1½ in. long. Pinnæ 7-14 pair, leaflets 20-30 pairs. Flowers globose, white, about ¾ in. across. Pod up to 6 in. long, slightly curved, flat, thick, ¾ in. wide, green.
Kassala Prov. (near Kassala); South of Lat. 13° N.
Wood white, not durable. The qualities of the gum have yet to be investigated.
A. nubica Benth. EL UT or AUD & LAOT—Arab; GAMEROT—Rashida; ANJERA (J. Daier), MAIN (Dilling), UNGUS (Tagele) & MA (J. Ghulfan)—Nuba; ANAN (Renk) & KONYAI (Kaka)—Dinka; AFIAD—Shilluk.
Obconical shrub with spines ab. ½ in. long, somewhat recurved. Pinnæ 3-12 pairs with or without 2-3 minute sessile glands; leaflets 6-15 pairs, small, oblong. Pod linear-oblong, narrowed at each end, almost narrowly-winged, yellowish, 2-3 in. long. Flowers in globose heads on 1-3 axillary peduncles.
Kassala, Red Sea, Blue Nile, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
The bark is used for tanning. The bast yields a good fibre.
A. etbaica Schwfth. ARRAD or GARRAD—Hadendowa and Rashida.
Small tree; extremities at first red-brown; stipular thorns straight, short. Pinnæ 3-6 pairs, without glands; leaflets 14-30 pairs. Peduncles 3-5 in each axil, bearing rather few-flowered globose heads. Pods linear, compressed, almost straight, brown, glabrous up to 3½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov.
The bark is used for tanning.
A. Seyal Del. TELEH (Baggara), TALH HAMRA or TALHA—Arab; ME (J. Daier), SHALEIH (Dilling), TEILI (J. Eliri) & TIRIGO (Kadugli)—Nuba; KUKATI—Bari; BI (Kaka), RATT (Renk) & TEP (Mongalla)—Dinka; MELA—Hameg; TEIB & LUOR—Nuer; ALLAD—Shilluk.
Small to middle-sized tree, with rufous bark; spines white, straight or nearly so, up to 1½ in. long. Pinnæ 11-12 pairs; leaflets 18-22 pairs. Flowers globose, yellow, about 1 in. diam. Pods ab. 3 in. long, curved, slightly contracted between the seeds.
Throughout the Sudan.
Wood white, not durable, liable to attacks of insects, especially if cut green. The gum is of good quality but inferior to that of A. Verek. The bark is used for tanning and the bast yields a fibre. Native women fumigate themselves with the wood smoke.
A. Seyal Del. var. Fistula Schwfth. TALH BEID & SOFFAR—Arab; SHALEIH WIWI (Dilling)—Nuba; BAGU—Hameg; KONAIYER (Kaka) & TEP (Mongalla)—Dinka; ASHAR—Shilluk.
South Sudan.
Much like preceding but bark white and the bases of the thorns inflated.
Moister parts of the Sudan.
Has the same qualities as Red Talh.
A. Ehrenbergiana Hayne. SALLAM—Arab.
Shrub with brown papery bark. Flower-heads globose, golden yellow. Spines slender, straight, also hooked. Pinnæ 1-2 pairs; leaflets 8-10 pairs, oblong. Pod narrow-linear, falcate, constricted between the seeds, up to 4½ in. long.
Northern Sudan, usually in arid tracts.
Yield a gum.
A. stenocarpa Hochst.
Small tree; spines straight, short. Flowers globose, yellow; pods curved as in A. Seyal. Pinnæ 4-10 pairs with at least 1 gland, sessile at base of the rachis; leaflets 10-20 pairs, linear oblong.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Nyangara); Mongalla Prov.
One of the species affording the Gum-arabic of commerce.
A. Verek Guill. & Perr. HASHAB & SUBAHI (Wad Medani)—Arab; KALIALMO (J. Daier) & TŪT (Dilling)—Nuba; KADOFI—Bari; ATĪYDOK (Kaka) & CHIANDOK (or CHIANDAK) (Mongalla)—Dinka; GARANDAK—MESHIRG—EDIN—Hameg; ADHWAG—Shilluk; BAM—Nuer.
Small to moderate-sized tree; spines 3, stout, sharp, dark brown, short, two straight and one recurved. Pinnæ 3-5 pairs; leaflets 10-15 pairs. Flowers in lax cylindrical spikes, white. Pods thin, straight, papery, 3 in. long.
Southern Nubia; From Berber Province to Mongalla; Fung, Darfur & Kordofan Provinces.
Wood dark, durable. This tree yields the best gum of commerce.
A. glaucophylla Steud. HASHAB (Kassala & Karora)—Arab.
Large shrub or small tree, glabrous, or extremities puberulous; infra-stipular prickles 2-3, short, straight or slightly recurved, often absent. Pinnæ 3-6-jugate, with small gland at base of rachis; leaflets 12-20 pairs, oblong. Spikes 1-3 in axils; flowers white. Pod linear, flat, narrowed each end, 3-4 in. long.
Between Suakin & Berber (Omareg); Kassala Prov. (J. Kassala); Red Sea Prov. (Karora hills).
A. mellifera Benth. KITTIR—Arab; KAWTAW (J. Daier) & URŪM (Kadugli)—Nuba; NARAH (Renk)—Dinka.
Small tree or shrub; infra-stipular prickles 2, short, recurved. Pinnæ 2-jugate; leaflets 1 pair per pinna, obovate-oblong or -rotundate. Spikes axillary, fascicled, white. Pod 2 in. long, flat, oblong.
Red Sea Prov. (between Sinkat & Erkowit & Katai Geraite); Around Kassala & Gedaref routes; From Khartoum to Upper Nile Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani to Sennar); Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
This tree, which grows gregariously, forms often most impenetrable thorny thickets. The fibre from the liber is largely used in making sacks to hold gum.
A. læta R. Br.
Small tree; prickles short, black, shining. Pinnæ 2-3 pairs; leaflets 3-5 pairs, oblanceolate, oblong. Spikes axillary, solitary or fascicled. Pod 2-3 in. long, flat, oblong, often once or twice constricted, coriaceous.
Red Sea Prov. (J. Waratab, near Suakin); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Nyemati); Kordofan Prov.
A. albida Del. HARAZ—Arab; SIRTU (J. Daier), NAGAN (Tagele), URĀD (Dilling & J. Ghulfan) & FORWEK (Kadugli)—Nuba.
The largest of Sudan Acacias; branches whitish; spines short, straight. Flowers white, in spikes, which are axillary, solitary or in pairs. Pinnæ 4-6 pairs, with a gland between each pair; leaflets 7-17 pairs, oblong. Pod 2-5 in. long, flat, curved, often sinuous.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); From Dongola to Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Blue Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.
Wood white, liable to attacks of insects, used for boat-building. Pod fleshy, somewhat twisted, called KHARUMA by Arabs, good cattle fodder.
A. Suma Kurz. KAKAMŪT & SINEIN—Arab; PANKAJA (Dilling)—Nuba; FIIT (Renk) & PAIT (Kaka)—Dinka; ODU—Hameg; NIARUD—Shilluk; NGWER—Nuer; VURRA—Zande.
Small to moderate-sized tree with dark, fissured bark. Prickles broad-based, sharply recurved. Pinnæ 10-30 pairs, with a gland at the base of each pair and another below the first pair; leaflets 30-50 pairs. Flowers in pale-yellow spikes. Pods 3-4 in. long, crustaceous, brown when ripe.
Fung, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces; Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov.
Usually in more or less wet ground. Timber dark coloured, strong, used in making ploughs. The wood probably yields a Catechu.
A. hecatophylla Steud.
Tree, branches hoary-tomentose; prickles short, recurved. Pinnæ 10-30 pairs; leaflets 30-50 pairs, larger than in A. Suma, Kurz, oblong, obtuse. Flowering spikes white, solitary or fascicled. Pod oblong, obtuse, coriaceous, 7 in. long.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
A. ataxacantha DC.
Small tree or shrub, with short, decurved, scattered prickles. Leaf-rachis with a raised gland near the base; pinnæ 7-15 pairs; leaflets 20-40 pairs, linear-subfalcate. Flower spikes dense, white, solitary or in pairs, axillary. Pod broad-linear, flat, papery.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi); Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
A. macrostachya Reichenb.
Tree, green parts rusty-tomentose; prickles short, recurved, scattered. Leaf-rachis with a sessile gland near the base; pinnæ 14-30 pairs; leaflets 25-50 pairs, linear, subfalcate. Spikes 3-4 in. long, axillary, fascicled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
A. pennata Willd.
Scandent shrub; prickles sharp, recurved, scattered over branchlets, under petioles and on inflorescence. Pinnæ 8-20 pairs; leaflets up to 70 pairs. Flower-heads globular, white or pale yellow. Pod reddish-brown, thin, ab. 4 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé & Bongo-land).
A. near reficiens Wawra & Peyr. SALGAM (Kordn.)—Arab; IMGYEN (Dilling)—Nuba.
Tree, in habit not unlike A. spirocarpa; twigs nodose; spines straight, up to 1½ in. long. Flowers not seen; pods curved, somewhat turgid. Bark dark and rough; heartwood dark brown. Leaflets about 15 pairs, oblong, ⅙ in. long, ciliate.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (from Sungikai South).
Heartwood very dark brown. Exudes a gum.
A. near gummifera Willd. MIT—Bari.
Tall tree, with habit and bark of A. arabica; timber light red, without heartwood. Flowers not seen; pods curved, somewhat turgid.
Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
A. near papyracea Hochst.
Prickles ⅙ in. long, hairy at the base. Leaflets about 15 pairs, oblong, ⅙ in. long, veinless, glabrous. Flowers in heads about ⅓ in. diam. Fruits not seen.
Kordofan Prov. (J. Kon).
A. sp. near albida Del.
Small tree, 15-20 ft. high. Leaflets about 25 pairs, linear-oblong, rounded at the apex, glaucous, ⅓ in. long, the lowermost pair very small. Flowers in spikes, white; pod not seen.
Mongalla Prov. (Lado).
A. Farnesiana Willd.
Shrub; spines straight, stipular. Pinnæ 4-8 pairs; leaflets 12-20 pairs. Flower-heads globose, deep yellow, sweet-scented; pod 2-3 in. long, turgid.
Introduced.
288Albizzia amara Boivin. ARRADA—Arab; SUK (J. Daier), ORBOL (Dilling) & MINKIGILI (Kadugli)—Nuba; MĪLLOA (Goz El Siada)—Dinka; BIMYA—Burun.
Unarmed moderate-sized to large tree. Leaves bipinnate; pinnæ 10-20 pairs; leaflets 25-35 pairs, linear. Flower-heads dense, ab. 1 in. in diameter, yellow or pinkish. Pod linear-oblong, 4-8 in. long, edges undulate.
Blue Nile Prov. (Sheikh Talha); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Meshra El Rek & Tonj); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada).
Timber strong; yields a gum.
A. anthelmintica A. Brongn. TĀKIRNI, UMTAKIRNI, UMGIRSH & GERFET EL DŪD (All Kordofan)—Arab; EIBELAINY (Dilling)—Nuba; AGWAR—Shilluk.
Moderate-sized tree, with smooth, grey bark, unarmed. Leaves bipinnate with 1 or more sessile glands on the rachis. Pinnæ 1-4 pairs; leaflets 2-5 pairs, the upper larger, sometimes up to 1¾ in. long, obliquely obovate, mucronate. Flower-heads fascicled or solitary in upper axils, whitish. Pod 2-6 in. long, sinuous, crustaceous.
White Nile Prov.; Kordofan & Nuba Mts. Prov. (from Habbania southwards); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf W.S.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Deim Guju).
Heartwood red, very hard, durable, works well. The bark (?) is used by Abyssinians against Tape-worm.
A. ferruginea Benth. ?SIAP—Dinka; BEKILI & BIRI—Golo; M’BALIM—Bongo; N’ZANGARNE—Zande.
Medium-sized tree with rusty pubescence. Pinnæ 3-6 pairs; leaflets 8-16 pairs, oblong, obtuse, ab. ½ in. long. Flower-heads capitate, more or less silky. Pod straight, linear, 4-6 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
A. Lebbek Benth. LABAKH, LEBBEK—Arab.
Large tree with dark-grey bark. Pinnæ 2-4 pairs; leaflets 5-9 pairs, rather large, unequal sided. Flowers white in few flowered heads. Pod up to 12 in. long, up to 2 in. wide, linear-oblong, thin, pale yellow.
Introduced as a shade-tree.
Wood handsome, brown, fine grained, takes a good polish, is known in the trade as “Indian Walnut.” Does not last long in exposed situations. The bark is used for tanning and the seeds are astringent. The tree yields a gum not unlike Gum-arabic.
A. Aylmeri Hutch. SEREIRA, GARADAYA—Arab.
Large tree, 75 ft. high, 8 ft. in girth. Leaflets oblong-elliptic, rounded on one side, cuneate on the other at the base, 1-1½ in. long, ½-1 in. broad, glaucous green and puberulous below, with about 8 pairs of looped lateral nerves. Peduncle 1½ in. long, thinly pubescent. Calyx-lobes villous. Fruit 8 in. long, 1¼ in. broad, glabrous, obscurely transversely nervose.
Fung Prov. (River Dinder).
A. Brownei Walp. ?ĀKATAGAN—Jur.
Moderate-sized tree. Leaf-rachis with 1 sessile gland at base and another between uppermost pinnæ; pinnæ 2-3 pairs; leaflets 3-5 pairs, rhomboid to ovate, up to 3 in. long. Flower-heads forming broad corymbose racemes, 3-4 in. long. Pod linear-oblong, 4-6 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur & Bongo-lands, Dar Fertit); Mongalla Prov. (Yambi Khor).
Wood is durable and suitable for building purposes.
A. Welwitschii Oliv.
Large tree, up to 80 ft. high; extremities glabrous or tawny-puberulous. Leaf-rachis 3-10 in. long, with 1 gland near the base and 1 or more above; pinnæ 3-5 pairs; leaflets 4-8 pairs obliquely ovate to rhomboid, up to 2 in. long. Flower-heads forming short terminal corymbs or 1-2 together, axillary. Pod straight or slightly curved, 4-5 in. long.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
A. sp. MANDOMI—Bari.
Tree, 30-40 ft. Leaflets 4 pairs, very obliquely oblong, about 1½ in. long, ¾ in. broad, glabrous, except the puberulous midrib. Fruits 5½ in. long, 1 in. broad, reticulate.
Mongalla Prov. (Sillitoe No. 191).
A. sp. BENDE—Golo or Dinka.
Fruits flat, 5 in. long, 1 in. broad, glabrous. Seeds broadly elliptic, flat, ½ in. long, with a large wrinkled aril.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (by the Pongo River, 8° N.L.)
PAPILIONACEÆ.
289Lotononis Leobordea Benth.
Small procumbent herb, silky pubescent. Flowers 2-5, sessile, in axils of 3-fol. leaves; calyx with 4 upper teeth more or less connate; corolla yellow; stamens 10, monadelphous, the tube slit along the top. Pod length of calyx, linear-oblong, turgid.
Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab).
290Rothia hirsuta Baker.
Small annual; corolla white to pale violet; stamens 10, monadelphous; tubes slit along the top; calyx deeply 5-cleft. Pod lanceolate, inflated. Leaves 3-fol.
Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.
291Crotalaria thebaica DC. TAKTAKA (Atbara), UMANKEIT or NUTTASH (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Shrubby herb; flowers pale yellow; stamens 10, monadelphous, in a tube slit along the top; style abruptly bent upwards in this genus; pod ¼ in. long. Leaves simple, sessile, oblong, silky.
North Sudan; Between Goz Regeb & Kassala; Berber Prov. (Atbara); Kordofan Prov. (North & West); Darfur Prov. (60 m. N.E. of El Fasher).
Used as one of the ingredients to cure gonorrhœa.
C. Vogelii Benth.
Erect, hairy herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves simple, linear to linear-lanceolate. Flowers in lax racemes, yellow, veined purple. Pod ⅜ in. long, linear-oblong.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
C. calycina Schrank.
Erect herb, 1-2 ft. high, or more, very hairy; leaves variable, nearly sessile, simple. Flowers large, hairy, yellow, 4-8 in terminal racemes, peduncles stout, deflexed in fruit, bracts in pairs, beneath each flower; calyx large, equalling petals; pod rather short, glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
C. sphærocarpa Guill. & Perr.
Annual with 3-fol. leaves; leaflets sessile, linear-oblong. Flowers in long-stalked, lax racemes; cor. yellow. Pod roundish-oblong, ⅙ in. long.
Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Niamniam-land).
var. angustifolia Hochst.
Leaflets linear-oblong, sessile, glabrous above, appressed-pubescent below. Racemes many-flowered, 3-6 in. long. Pods sessile, obovoid, ¼ in. long, pubescent, often 2-seeded.
Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.
var. grandiflora Schwfth.
Leaflets linear-oblanceolate. Flowers larger: keel ¼-⅓ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
C. atrorubens Hochst.
Herb 18 in. to 3 ft. high; corolla yellow, tinged with red; pod sessile, ⅜ in. long, silky. Leaves nearly sessile; leaflets 3, subsessile, terminal, one oblanceolate, silky beneath.
Kordofan Prov., Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
C. ononoides Benth.
Herb. Leaves trifoliate, leaflets oblong-elliptic or lanceolate, acute, 1-2 in. long, pubescent below. Pod sessile, glabrous, ⅓ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai).
C. lupinioides Hochst.
Shrubby plant. Fl. yellow in elongate racemes; pod much curved upwards, filled with silky hairs. Leaflets 3, subsessile.
Nubia (between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov.
C. spinosa Hochst.
Shrubby, spiny annual, 6-18 in. high. Leaflets 3, emarginate. Flowers yellow, solitary or in pairs from the axils of spines.
Widely distributed in White Nile & Bahr El Jebel; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nganye).
C. laburnifolia Linn.
Semi-shrubby herb. Leaves 3-fol.; keel of corolla very long-beaked; pod long-stalked, inflated.
Darfur Prov. (Kulme).
C. near laburnifolia Linn.
Shrub plant, under cultivation reaching 8-10 ft. in height. Corolla yellow, not streaked with purple; keel much recurved.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling).
C. polysperma Kotschy.
Rufous, villous herb. Leaflets 3, short-stalked, obovate-oblong. Flowers 6-8, in lax, lateral, long-peduncled racemes.
White Nile Prov.
C. polysperma Kotschy. subspecies C. Grantii Baker. TAKTAKA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; DIAGNE (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Villous herb; corolla blue in bud. Pod subsessile, turgid, with fine brown hairs; seeds 30-40.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf & southwards).
C. intermedia Kotschy.
Annual, 2-3 ft. high. Corolla usually yellow, but in specimens from the Bahr El Jebel it is much streaked with purple and sometimes quite purple.
Upper Nile Prov. (Tonga: Ragaba); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov. (Gemeiza & Mongalla); Darfur Prov. (Zalingei); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The Bongos make strong string from its fibre.
C. brevidens Benth.
Erect herb. Leaflets 3, subsessile, glabrous, linear. Flowers in few-flowered terminal racemes. Pod cylindrical, glabrous, 1½ in. long.
Nubia.
C. cannabina Schwfth. URU—Golo; KHOLO—Bongo; AWIRKI—Zande.
Tall, shrubby herb, erect, stems sulcate, winged. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets oblong or oblong-elliptic, 2-4½ in. long. Flowers large, numerous, in racemes. Pods oblong-cylindric, 1½-2 in. long, becoming glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Niamniam & Bongo lands).
The fibre is used for ropes and in Bongo-land the plant is cultivated.
C. maxillaris Klotzsch. ABKILEH (Atbara) SAFEIRA, SABARIG & TAWILA (Abu Haraz, Blue Nile)—Arab.
Shrubby herb, 2-3 ft. high, downy. Leaflets 3, subsessile, oblong. Racemes terminal, many-flowered; corolla yellow. Pod oblong, very silky, ⅜ in. long.
Berber Prov. (near El Damer); Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Tueir & El Greo); Darfur Prov.
C. Forbesii Baker.
Undershrub, 12-18 in. high, densely grey-downy. Flowers yellowish, axillary, solitary or in pairs. Pod silky, under ½ in. long.
Fung Prov. (Abu Naama).
C. Dilloniana Baker.
Herb; leaflets 3, glabrous, central one 3½ in. long and 1 in. broad. Pod ¾ in. long, linear, deflexed on elongated terminal racemes.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
C. Quartiniana A. Rich.
Silky herb, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 3, central one 1½ in. long. Racemes lateral, 3-4 flowered; corolla reddish. Pod 1 in. long and ½ in. thick, glabrous.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Darfur Prov. (Zalingei); Kordofan (Obeid).
C. microphylla Vahl.
Tufted herb, up to 1 ft. high. Leaflets 3, very small, sessile. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, yellow. Pod oblong, glabrous, under ½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Geteina).
C. microcarpa Hochst.
Herb, 6-12 in. high, thinly brown-silky. Leaflets 3, central one ½ in. long, linear-oblong. Flowers yellow, in clusters of 2-4. Pod ¼ in. long, silky.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
var. Dawei Baker fil.
Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
Rather woody; cor. tinged with red. Leaves rather broader than in type.
Mongalla Prov. (Bari-land).
var. Sudanica Baker fil.
Slender annual. Leaves narrow, ashy grey; racemes lax, 2-3 flowered. Pod sessile, sub-globose.
Nuba Mts. Prov.
C. podocarpa DC.
Herb 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3, sessile, oblanceolate. Flowers axillary, 2-3 together, yellow. Pod up to 1 in. long and ½ in. thick.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
C. goreensis Guill. & Perr.
Shrubby herb, 1-3 ft. high. Stipules ¼ to ½ in. long, lanceolate-falcate. Flowers 10-20 in dense heads, yellow tinged with red. Pod oblong ¾ in. long.
Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).
C. Deflersii Schwfth. (= C. senegalensis Bacle). FARTAGA (Bl. Nile)—Arab.
Bushy herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves 3-fol.; leaflets sessile, oblong to oblanceolate. Racemes terminal, 20-30 flowered; corolla bright yellow. Pod about ½ in. long, 10-12 seeded.
Red Sea Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Upper); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
C. elata Welw.
Erect undershrub, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 3, oblong-lanceolate, adpressed brown silky below. Flowers yellow, 1 in. long, 3-6 together on short leaf-opposed peduncles. Pod oblong, subsessile 1½ in. long, with dense brown silky hairs.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
C. pycnostachya Benth.
Herb, about 18 in. high. Leaflets 3, central one 1 in. long. Flowers 20-50 in dense lateral racemes 2-3 in. long. Pod cylindrical, ⅜ in. long, downy.
Fung Prov. (near Roseires).
C. astragalina Hochst.
Herb, about 1 ft. high. Leaflets 3, central one 1½ in. long. Flowers 6-12 in dense lateral racemes, yellow, streaked with purple. Pod cylindrical, ½ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: by the Gendua River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
C. bongensis Baker fil.
Annual with slender branches. Leaves simple, linear-lanceolate, 3-5 cm. long, 0.5 cm. broad, pilose beneath. Racemes axillary. Flowers small. Pod subsessile, oblong, 7-8 cm. long, at first densely pubescent, 8-seeded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Jur-land: Jur Ghattas).
C. retusa Linn. URU—Golo.
Woody herb. Leaves simple, oblanceolate, sessile, 2 in. long. Racemes 4-6 in. long, terminal. Corolla yellow. Pod linear, 1½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
The fibre is used for ropes and nets.
C. falcata Vahl.
Shrubby, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 3, obovate, central one 1½ in. long. Racemes lax, terminal and axillary; cor. yellow, keel much upcurved. Pod 1½ in. long, cylindrical.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat River, Nasser).
C. striata DC. BIRBUS—Arab; URU—Golo.
Erect woody herb, up to 6 ft. high. Pod glabrous, 20-30 seeded, ½ in. long. Cor. bright yellow. Leaflets 3.
Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The fibre is used in the Bahr El Ghazal for making nets for catching big game.
C. zanzibarica Benth.
Small undershrub. Flowers yellow; legumes oblong. Racemes terminal of 10-20 flowers.
Upper White Nile Prov. (between Abwong & Nasser).
C. platycalyx Steud.
Bushy herb; cor. white or yellow; keel long-beaked, much upcurved. Racemes lateral, few-flowered. Pod long-stalked, cylindrical, ab. 1½ in. long. Leaflets 3, central one 2½ in. long.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf to Malakal).
292Lupinus Termis Forsk. TIRMIS—Arab.
Silky herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves digitate, 5-7 fol. Racemes of 4-12 flowers. Cor. blue and white. Pod 3 in. long and ab. ½ in. thick.
Sudan North.
Cultivated for the seed which is highly nutritious and credited with mild medicinal properties.
293Argyrolobium abyssinicum Jaub. & Spach.
Herb, 6-18 in. high. Leaves 3-fol.; leaflets linear or oblanceolate. Racemes axillary, 2-3 flowered; calyx bilabiate, the two upper teeth free; cor. pale yellow. Pod linear, grey silky, ab. 1 in. long.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21°-22° N.L.); Blue Nile Prov. (Upper).
A. Schimperianum Hochst.
Small shrub. Leaves 3-fol.; leaflets obovate, blunt, not more than 1 in. long. Flowers 3-8 in terminal heads, yellow. Pod linear brown-silky.
Kordofan Prov.
294Trigonella Fœnum-græcum Linn. HELBA—Arab.
Annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3, obovate-cuneate. Flowers yellow, solitary or in pairs, axillary. Pod linear-falcate, 2-4 in. long.
Northern Sudan. (Cultivated as a vegetable.)
The seeds yield a yellow dye; the yellow decoction gives a fine permanent green with Sulphate of Copper. Medicinally the seeds are used to cure dyspepsia, diarrhœa and dysentery.
T. hamosa Linn.
Annual. Leaflets 3, obovate-cuneate, the upper margin inciso-crenate. Flowers yellow, 6-12 in axillary racemes. Pod linear-falcate.
Dongola Prov. (Opposite Letti); Berber Prov. (Shendi); Khartoum; White Nile; Kordofan Prov. (Habaga).
T. occulta Del.
Annual; leaflets toothed near apex; stipules deeply laciniate from the apex. Flowers yellow, in axillary clusters of 2-4. Pod elliptical, reticulated.
Khartoum, Fung & Kordofan Provinces.
The seeds are sometimes used for dysentery; the plants and pods are eaten as a pot-herb.
T. laciniata Linn.
Diffuse glabrous annual. Stipules laciniate; leaflets 3, deeply serrated. Racemes of 6-12 axillary, yellow flowers. Pod linear oblong, transversely veined.
Dongola Prov.
295Medicago sativa Linn. BERSĪM HEGAZI—Arab. Lucerne.
Herb; pod spirally contorted, so as to form 2 or 3 flat spires. Leaflets 3, linear-oblanceolate, serrate on upper margin; stipules narrow. Flowers violet or blue, in axillary racemes.
Introduced.
The Arabian variety is mostly cultivated in the Sudan. Under irrigation it is an excellent fodder crop.
296Trifolium fragiferum Linn.
Herb; heads globular; flowers small; calyx inflated after flowering. Leaflets 3, obovate, toothed.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
T. procumbens Linn.
Slender, glabrous or slightly downy annual; flower-heads loosely globular. Leaflets obovate or obcordate, toothed.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
T. alexandrinum Linn. BERSĪM BALADI—Arab.
Glabrous herb, 1-2 ft. high. Flowers 20-30 in. in dense oblong, long-stalked heads, yellow. Pod minute. Leaflets sessile, obovate-cuneate, toothed.
Northern Sudan (cultivated).
297Lotus nubicus Hochst.
Procumbent herb, 3-6 in. high; leaves pinnate; leaflets 3-5, the lowest pair close to the axil. Flowers reddish-yellow, 1-4 together with a leaflet-like bract at the base of the cluster. Pod linear-oblong, small.
Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab, etc.); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol, etc.).
L. arabicus Linn. LŪTABELAIN (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; AKIA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Prostrate or procumbent herb with thick rootstock. Leaflets 5. Flowers reddish, 2-4 together with a leaflet-like bract. Pod linear, slightly torulose up to 1½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L. & Akik); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf to Khor Attar).
It is said to be poisonous to cattle when young.
L. glinoides Del.
Shrubby herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaflets 5. Flowers reddish, 1-4 together, with a 3-fol. bract. Pod linear, subtorulose.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab).
L. Garcini DC.
Shrubby herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaflets 3. Flowers reddish, solitary, axillary sessile. Pod linear, nearly ½ in. long.
White Nile Prov.
L. sp. near L. Ehrenbergii Schwfth.
Small herb, woody at base; stems and leaves villous; leaflets very small, obovate. Flowers 3-4 in a cluster, pink. Pods linear, ¾ in. long, pilose.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
L. corniculatus Linn.
Decumbent or ascending herb, usually small; leaflets 5, of which the lower pair is close to the stem; flowers in an umbel of 5 or more; pod cylindrical.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: high elevation).
L. sp.
Stems elongated, sparsely leafy, pilose. Leaves small, villous. Flowers ½ in. long; calyx lobes subulate, 2 mm. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).
298Psoralea plicata Del. RUBL or RUML (N. Kordn.)—Arab; HURGIG—Hadendowa.
Low spiny shrub. Leaflets 3, deeply crenate and silvery pubescent. Flowers 4-6 in axillary spikes; cor. creamy white. Pod villose, black.
Kassala Prov. (Um Adam); Berber Prov. (Nile banks); Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov. (Singa); Kordofan Prov.
299Cyamopsis senegalensis Guill. & Perr.
Herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaves 3-7 pinnately fol. Flowers 4-6 in axillary racemes, reddish. Pod linear, subtetragonous.
Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Dimehadit); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
300Indigofera linifolia Retz.
Annual, 6-9 in. high; leaves simple; pod globose. Flowers red, in axillary racemes. Anthers, in this genus, with apiculate connective.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
It is given medicinally in febrile eruptions.
I. Dewevrei M. Mich.
Undershrub; stems angular. Leaves simple, linear, very acute, 2-2½ in. long, shortly strigose-pubescent on both sides. Fls. axillary, solitary.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).
I. tetrasperma Schum. & Thonn.
Much branched undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves simple linear. Flowers scarlet, 1-2 in axils of leaves. Pod linear with a mucro.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Agada, Bongo-land: Sabbi).
I. bongensis Kotschy & Peyr.
Small procumbent herb. Leaves simple, obovate. Fl. purple, in axillary racemes. Pod narrow-linear, silky, ¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Bongo-land).
I. achyranthoides Taubert.
Stems short from a woody rhizome, minutely pubescent. Leaves simple, obovate-oblanceolate, acutely mucronate, very closely appressed-puberulous. Racemes spike-like, axillary, 3½ in. long. Fls. at length reflexed; calyx-lobes subulate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).
I. Schweinfurthii Taubert.
Leaves simple or up to 4-foliate; leaflets linear-oblanceolate acutely mucronate, up to 2 in. long and ⅙ in. broad, appressed-setulose. Racemes much longer than the leaves. Fls. very small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Kutshuk Ali & Bongo-land: by the Lehsi River).
I. arenaria A. Rich.
Small herb densely branched from base. Leaves usually simple rarely 3-5 fol. Flowers axile in subsessile abbreviated racemes; cor. bright purple. Pod narrow-linear, silky, ½ in. long.
Suakin to Berber (Obak); Dongola Prov.
I. pulchra Vahl.
Undershrub, 2-5 ft. high. Leaflets 3-7. Infl. various, panicled or solitary; cor. scarlet, silky outside. Pod small, oblong, villose.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Kutshuk Ali).
I. diphylla Vent.
Woolly herb or undershrub, up to 2 ft. high. Leaflets 2, terminal one longer. Fl. pink in short dense, axillary racemes. Pod linear, beaked silky, ½ in. long.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (50 m. east of El Fasher).
I. bracteolata DC. DERMA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3-5. Racemes with a leaflet-like bract at the base of each reddish flower. Pod small, oblong, mucronate.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); North Kordofan Prov. (W. of Mazrul); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
I. strobilifera Hochst.
Herb, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7. Flowers in dense heads with large roundish bracts concealing the flowers. Pod small, oblong, subterete, mucronate.
White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
I. spinosa Forsk. SANGADD—Hadendowa.
Branched shrub, with rigid spines 1½ in. long. Leaves simple and 3-fol. Flowers red, solitary from the spines. Pod ½ in. long, linear, mucronate, subtorulose.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit to 22° N.L.); between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Arab).
I. sparsa Baker. var. bongensis Baker fil.
Herb 9 in. high. Leaflets 3-7. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs, axillary. Pod linear, glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).
I. suaveolens Jaub. & Spach.
Woody erect herb. Leaflets 3. Flowers solitary to 4 clustered laxly. Pod linear, subtetragonous, 1 in. long.
Kordofan & Darfur Provinces; Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
I. viscosa Lam.
Herb, 1-4 ft. high, branches clothed with glandular hairs; leaflets 7-13. Racemes axillary, 4-6 flowered. Cor. reddish. Pod linear, 1 in. long.
Fung. Prov. (Saoleil); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
I. pilosa Vahl.
Small herb, densely silky. Leaflets 3. Flowers solitary to 4 together, axillary, pink. Pod linear, black when ripe.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Durein); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro).
I. dendroides Jacq.
Erect herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 21-31. Racemes lax, 8-12 flowered; cor. pink. Pod narrow-linear, 1½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai).
I. parviflora Heyne.
Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7. Fl. lilac, in short axillary racemes. Pod linear, deflexed, silvery when young.
Nubia; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov.
I. stenophylla Guill. & Perr.
Tall herb. Leaflets 7-13 short pet.; flowers purple or pink in lax axillary racemes. Pod linear-mucronate, up to 2 in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov.
I. Welwitschii Baker.
Branched annual, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 3. Racemes of 4-9 bright red flowers. Pod linear, upcurved.
Bahr El Ghazal (Bongo-land: Addai & Gir).
I. pseudo-subulata Baker fil.
Herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves pinnately trifoliolate; leaflets oblong or narrowly obovate. Racemes many-coloured; peduncle whitish hairy. Pod straight, recurved at the apex, hairy.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi & Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
I. subulata Vahl.
Annual or biennial, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 5. Racemes lax, axillary, of ab. 20 flowers; cor. lilac. Pods narrow-linear, deflexed, 1-2 in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).
I. hirsuta Linn.
Villous herb, 2-3 ft. high, with spreading reddish hair. Leaves 5-7 fol. Racemes dense, 2-5 in. long; cor. scarlet; pods deflexed, hairy, linear ¾ in. long.
Blue Nile Prov. (J. Moya); White Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Opposite Tonga); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Durein); Mongalla Prov. (Kagulu, Yei River District); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
I. paucifolia Del. DAHASSIR—Arab; LO (Kenissa)—Dinka.
Bushy undershr. with variable leaves; leaflets 3-7; pods torulose, linear, hoary. Flowers in dense axillary racemes; cor. scarlet, silvery outside.
Northern Sudan; Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.
Good camel fodder. The root, boiled in milk used as a purgative.
I. oblongifolia Forsk. DAHASSIR (Blue Nile)—Arab.
Shrub, silver in all its parts. Leaflets 3-5, obovate-oblong, appressed pubescent on both surfaces, about ½ in. long. Pod torulose, glaucous, 6-8-seeded, ⅔ in. long.
Khartoum Prov. (6th Cataract); Blue Nile and Kordofan Provinces.
I. astragalina DC.
Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 7-11, white hairy. Racemes dense, 1-4 in. long. Cor. yellow; pods narrow-linear, ½ in. long.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Surutj).
I. alternans DC.
Prostrate herb with silvery hairs. Leaflets 7-9. Racemes dense 12-20 flowered. Cor. violet; pods deflected, linear, ½ in. long.
Darfur Prov. (foothills of Jeb. Marra 5,000 ft.).
var. paucijuga Schwfth.
Leaflets 3-5. Pods ⅓ in. long.
Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Haraza).
I. semitrijuga Forsk. EL SHEREI’A (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Bushy herb, glaucous-silvery. Leaflets 3 pairs and an odd one, which is stalked. Racemes 6-12 flowered. Pods linear, ¾ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (coast); between Suakin & Berber; Berber Prov. (near Abu Hamed); Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.
I. Garckeana Vatke.
Shrub with winged stems. Leaves pinnate. Leaflets 7-11, ovate or elliptic, 1½-2 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, finely appressed-pubescent. Racemes dense, ¾ as long as the leaves, with long linear bracts. Pods reflexed, 2 in. long, strigose.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
I. Quartiniana A. Rich.
Undershrub, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7, thinly silky. Racemes short; cor. purplish. Pod linear, spreading, 1½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (coast, 22° N.L.).
I. Binderi Kotschy.
Scabrous undershrub. Leaflets 3-7, obovate, emarginate and mucronate. Racemes of ab. 20 flowers.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Bongo-land: Addai).
I. Schimperi Jaub. & Spach.
Much branched shrub, up to 10 ft. high, silvery. Leaflets 5-7, obovate. Flowers purplish, ab. 20 in close, axillary racemes. Pod linear, 1 in. long, deflexed.
Red Sea Prov.
I. secundiflora Poir.
Bushy herb, clothed with red or greyish hairs mixed with stalked glands. Leaves subsessile, 9-13 fol. Racemes dense; cor. reddish. Pod linear-oblong, ¾ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
I. microcarpa Desv.
Canescent annual or biennial. Leaflets 8-12, opposite, oblanceolate, rounded at the apex. Racemes rather lax-flowered, shorter than the leaves. Pods ellipsoid, ⅙ in. long, strigose.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).
I. articulata Gouan.
Shrub, up to 12 ft. high, very glaucous. Leaflets 9, opposite, obovate, appressed-pubescent. Racemes about ⅓ as long as the leaves. Pods sickle-shaped, tomentose, torulose, ½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov. (Barbadiap, Atbara); Blue Nile Prov. (J. Kon); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé); Red Sea Prov. (Khor Aiet).
I. argentea Linn. NIL BALADI—Arab.
Much-branched shrub, silvery. Leaflets 9, silvery on both sides, obovate. Racemes of 12-20 yellow flowers. Pod falcate, terete, deflected, ½ in. long.
Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).
Yields an indigo.
I. arrecta Hochst.
Much-branched shrub, silky. Leaflets 13-17, oblanceolate, turn black when dried. Racemes of 6-12 yellow flowers. Pod deflexed, linear, up to ¾ in. long.
Blue Nile Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, near Gindi, 7,400 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land & Mittu-land).
The chief Indigo producing plant in Africa, largely cultivated in Java.
I. tinctoria Linn.
Bushy shrub, 2-4 ft. high, with white appressed hairs. Leaflets 7-11; pod linear, cylindrical, apiculate.
Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).
Yields a large percentage of the Indigo of commerce. It is also suitable for green manure.
I. emarginella Steud.
Undershrub, 3-4 ft. high, almost glabrous. Leaflets 9, obovate, apex rounded, mucronate. Flowers yellow, in dense axillary conical racemes. Pod narrow-linear, deflexed, ¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Sueh River).
I. anabaptista Steud.
Branched shrub. Leaflets 3-5 oblong-oblanceolate up to 1 in. long, appressed-pilose. Racemes very short. Flowers and pods reflexed, the latter curved, flat, ¾ in. long, laxly pubescent.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Berber Prov. (Zeidab & Shendi); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
I. aspera Perr.
Herb, 1 ft. or more high. Leaflets 5, linear-lanceolate, silvery. Flowers pink, 20-30 in axillary racemes, 2-3 in. long. Pod deflexed, narrow-linear, 1 in. long.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
I. arabica Jaub. & Spach.
Branched, bushy herb, silky. Leaflets 3-5 obovate, lateral ones often folded, with decurved point. Racemes axillary short, of 6-10 scarlet flowers. Pod linear-oblong, mucronate, subtorulose, under ½ in. long.
White Nile Prov.
I. cordifolia Roth.
Bushy herb, 6-9 in. high, densely villous. Leaves simple, cordate-ovate. Flowers red, in dense axillary clusters, 3-6 together. Pods oblong, cuspidate, minute.
Nubia; Blue Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
I. conjugata Baker
Shrubby; branches almost 4-angled. Leaflets 3, the terminal one up to 2½ in. long and up to ½ in. broad. Racemes axillary; short-stalked, of 20 fl. and more. Cor. yellowish. Pod deflexed, linear, 1 in. long.
White Nile Prov.
I. capitata Kotschy.
Shrub. Leaflets 7-9. Flowers in dense, rounded terminal heads, 1 in. broad; bracts pinnate. Pod oblong, small.
White Nile & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.
I. parvula Del.
Trailing herb; leaflets 3, small cuneate. Flowers in lax, subsessile clusters of 2-4. Pod linear, ½ in. long.
Nubia; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
I. costata Guill. & Perr.
Scabrous herb. Leaflets 13-15. Racemes slender, axillary, 2-3 in. long. Cor. pink. Pod linear, deflexed, 1 in. long.
Darfur Prov.
I. oxalidea Welw.
Small herb. Leaflets 3-5, the lateral ones alternate. Racemes lax, of 6-20 purplish flowers. Pod deflexed, linear, under ½ in. long; style persistent.
Fung Prov. (Harun forest); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
I. endecaphylla Jacq.
Bushy herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaflets 7-9, oblong. Racemes dense, 1-4 in. long. Cor. purple. Pod linear, deflexed, ¾ in. long.
Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
I. orthocarpa Baker.
Branched undershrub; pods cylindrical, straight, deflexed. Leaflets 9-13, obovate. Racemes sessile, 10-20 flowered; cor. yellow.
Nubia (from Berber southwards); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.
I. suffruticosa Mill.
Undershrub. Leaflets about 10, oblong or obovate. Pods much curved, ⅔ in. long.
Blue Nile Prov. (J. Moya).
I. tritoides Baker.
Prostrate herb. Leaflets 3, obovate, very acute, up to 1 in. long, densely appressed-pilose. Racemes elongated, lax-flowered. Pods nearly straight, 1¾ in. long, shortly pubescent.
Nubia (Suakin to Berber).
I. near Bainesii Baker.
Erect undershrub; pods recurved, nearly ½ in. long. Leaves simple, narrowly obovate, ⅓ in. long, closely appressed hairy.
Red Sea Prov. (Port Sudan & Dongonab).
301Helminthocarpum abyssinicum A. Rich.
Wiry, silky herb, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 7. Flowers 4-6 together in short-stalked axillary heads. Cor. yellow and red, twice the length of calyx. Pods small, spirally twisted, of 1 spiral only or less.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 7,000 ft.).
302Biserula Pelecinus L.
Slender herb. Leaves pinnate. Leaflets about 12 pairs, obovate, widely emarginate, ⅙ in. long, pilose. Flowers in axillary racemes, few. Fruits flat, 1 in. long, with broad dentate wings.
Darfur Prov. (J. Kurku: Darfur Plain, 3,600 ft.).
303Tephrosia humilis Guill. & Perr.
Herb, under 1 ft. high. Leaflets 9-11, linear-oblong, silky beneath. Racemes leaf-opposed, of 6-12 pink flowers; anthers, in this genus, not apiculate. Pod downy, linear, upcurved, up to 2 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
T. nana Kotschy.
Small herb; leaflets 9-11, linear-oblanceolate. Racemes leaf-opposed, of 6-12 purple flowers. Pod linear, falcate, silky.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
T. Vogelii Hook. f. DAWA NA SAMAKI—Arab (Tuku-Tuku dialect).
Shrub, 10 ft. high, with rusty-silky tomentum. Racemes terminal, of 20-30 flowers, 4-6 in. long. Cor. violet, rarely white, ab. 1 in. deep; style bearded. Pod 5 in. long, ½ in. broad, brown-velvety. Leaflets 17-25.
Mongalla Prov. (Opari District); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Yuru River).
Used to stupefy fish, the leaves and branches are pounded and thrown on the surface of the water; the fish rise after a few minutes and are quite wholesome and fit for food.
T. aff. T. hirtæ. Boj.
Stout, bushy herb with fulvous hairs; pods densely villous.
Mongalla Prov.
T. Kotschyana Hochst.
Leaflets linear-lanceolate, about 2 in. long, finely appressed pilose below; lateral nerves numerous, ascending. Racemes long-stalked, lax-flowered. Pods falcate, 2 in. long, puberulous, about 10-seeded.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
T. linearis Pers.
Copiously branched perennial. Leaflets 5-17 linear, grey-hairy. Racemes lax, 4-8 flowered. Cor. reddish. Pod linear, 1-2 in. long, narrow, downy.
Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Niamniam-land).
T. nubica Baker. UM SABA (Medani)—Arab.
Much-branched undershrub, 12-18 in. high; stems woolly. Racemes terminal or leaf-opposed, 6-12 flowered; cor. pink. Pods densely white-silky, 1-seeded.
Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Serg).
T. obcordata Baker. IDEINAT EL FAR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Woody herb or undershrub. Stem and leaves white woolly. Plant often adorned by white feathery tassel-like galls. Leaves subsessile, simple, obcordate.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur-Kordofan border, 13° N. Lat.
T. rigida Baker.
Undershrub. Leaflets 13-17, linear. Racemes terminal, dense, 2-4 in. long. Cor. pale-red. Pod 2 in. long, ¼ in. broad, slightly upcurved.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
T. purpurea Pers.
Much-branched perennial, 1-2 ft. high; leaflets 5-10 pair and a terminal one, on pilose stalk; pods ab. 1½ in. linear, slightly curved, mucronate.
Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid).
Fresh root-bark ground and made into a pill with a little black pepper, is frequently given in cases of obstinate colic.
var. pubescens Baker.
Darfur Prov.
T. leptostachya DC.
Stems ultimately glabrous, but pod silky, slightly falcate, 1¾ in. long. Leaflets about 14, mucronate, 1 in. long, shortly appressed-pubescent. Flowers few, in long lax racemes.
Fung Prov. (Disa); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
T. Apollinea DC. AMAYOK—Arab.
Bushy herb, 12-18 in. high. Leaflets 5-9, oblong. Racemes terminal or lateral, loosely 6-12 flowered; cor. red. Pod narrow-linear, 1½ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (22° N.L.); Wadi Halfa; Dongola Prov. (Merowe); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Medani); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.
Said to be used to adulterate Senna.
T. vicioides A. Rich.
Diffusely-branched herb, silky. Leaflets 7-9, obovate-oblong. Flowers purple, axillary, solitary or in pairs. Pod 1 in. long, narrow-linear, recurved.
Berber Prov. (Shendi); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
T. lathyroides Guill. & Perr. UM SABA (Medani)—Arab.
Herb. Leaves pinnate 5-foliolate; leaflets lanceolate, subacute, about 1¼ in. long, thinly setulose. Flowers axillary, clustered. Pod slightly curved, 1¾ in. long, thinly pilose, about 8 seeded.
Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Leimab); Blue Nile Prov. (Medani); Kordofan Prov.
T. uniflora Pers.
Bushy herb. Leaves about 8-foliolate; leaflets very silky, oblanceolate, mucronate, ½-⅔ in. long. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired. Pod slightly curved, 2 in. long, shortly pubescent.
Between Suakin & Berber (Omareg); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (El Greo).
T. lupinifolia DC. KEREIWIT EL GHURAB (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Wide trailing perennial with digitate leaves; leaflets 5-7. Racemes terminal or leaf-opposed, up to 1 ft. long; corolla reddish. Pod linear, sometimes oblong, 1-6 seeded.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Plains 40-80 m. N.E. of El Fasher).
T. emeroides A. Rich. SUREP (Medani)—Arab.
Somewhat woody herb. Leaves pinnately 5-7 fol. Flowers yellow, solitary to 3 in the axils of leaves. Pods 2 in. long, narrow, densely rusty-tomentose.
Blue Nile Prov. (Medani).
T. dichroocarpa Steud.
Tall, hairy herb or undershrub. Leaflets 11-15. Racemes terminal, 6-9 in. long; cor. red. Pod narrow, silky, 2 in. long.
Fung Prov.
T. fulvinervis Hochst.
Herb, 2-3 ft. high; tawny silky. Leaflets 9-13, linear, the midrib tawny. Racemes lateral with 3-4 distant, tawny-silky flowers. Pod 2 in. long, narrow, silky.
Kordofan Prov.
T. subtriflora Hochst.
Perennial. Leaflets 5-7. Flowers 1-3, sessile in axils of the leaves; cor. purple. Pod 1¼ in. long, narrow.
Dongola & Kordofan Provinces.
T. anthylloides Hochst. UM ATFEIR—Arab.
Bushy herb or undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 7-9. Flowers 1-3 axillary, purple. Pod up to 2½ in. long.
Khartoum Prov. (J. Malakit); Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.
T. longipes Meissn.
Herb; leaflets up to 9, linear, up to 2 in. long. Racemes terminal and lateral, of 6-10 purple flowers. Pod 2 in. long; linear, straight.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
T. incana Graham.
Grey woolly undershrub or herb. Leaflets 11-13 oblanceolate. Racemes terminal or lateral, 6-12 in. long, lower flowers in clusters of 3-4; cor. reddish. Pod deflexed and recurved, 2 in. long, very silky.
Kordofan Prov. (Gefil).
304Mundulea suberosa Benth.
Small tree or large arborescent shrub; young twigs pilose; leaflets 13-23. Racemes terminal and leaf-opposed 4-6 in. long; cor. red. Pod 3-5 in. long and under ½ in. broad, torulose, silky.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).
305Milletia Barteri Dunn.
Leaflets 4 pairs and an odd one, opposite, obovate-elliptic, obtusely acuminate, 3-4 in. long, 2 in. broad, glabrous. Flowers rose, in large panicles. Calyx cupular, silky.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Yabo River).
306Sesbania punctata DC. TAURI—Arab.
Erect shrub with paripinnate leaves. Leaflets 20-50 pair. Racemes 6-12 flowered; corolla yellow, much spotted with purple. Pod 8-12 in. long.
Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov.
Recommended for growing as a green manure.
S. ægyptiaca Pers. SESABAN—Arab; KAILKAIL (Dilling) & KENTII (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Copiously branched shrub, 6-10 ft. high. Leaflets 10-20 pairs; pod pendulous, narrowly linear, usually somewhat twisted, 6-8 in. long. Racemes 6-12 flowered; cor. yellow.
Found in most parts of the Sudan. In India the bark is made into ropes, and the wood into charcoal; the leaves furnish cattle fodder. It is very quick-growing and forms a good temporary shelter for slower-growing plants.
S. ægyptiaca Pers. var. bicolor Wight & Arn. SENA—Arab.
Standard petal and tips of wing-petals suffused with purple.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Khartoum Prov.; Fung, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
S. aculeata Pers.
Erect herb, 2-4 ft. high; branches ascending, more or less prickly. Leaflets 20-50 pairs; pod 6-9 in. long, erect or spreading, not twisted. Cor. pale yellow.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov.
Yields a fibre durable under water, and useful for ropes and fishing nets. Suitable for a green manure.
S. microphylla Harms.
Small herb; flowers yellow mottled with purple or black spots. Leaflets very small, about ⅙ in. long. Pod 4½ in. long, linear, moniliform.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab).
S. mossambicensis Klotzsch.
Small herb; corolla standard striate, not mottled. Leaflets as in preceding species. Pod 2½ in. long, moniliform.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Yubbo River).
S. pachycarpa DC.
Annual, 1-3 ft. high; corolla dotted; pod about 6 in. long, ¼ in. broad. Leaflets 15-20 pairs, linear-oblong, ½-¾ in. long.
Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
S. arabica Hochst. SURA & TAURI (Blue Nile)—Arab.
Claws of corolla appendaged; standard conspicuously spotted. A tall herb. Leaflets up to 30 pairs, linear-oblong, ⅔ in long. Pods much constricted between the seeds.
Fung Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
S. tetraptera Hochst. SURIB (Fung), & ?KOL (White Nile)—Arab.
Shrubby herb up to 3 or 4 ft. high. Pod 4-winged. Leaflets 15-20 pairs. Racemes 4-6 flowered; cor. yellow.
Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Nuba Mts. Prov.
The leaves are eaten as a pot-herb.
307Astragalus prolixus Sieb.
Prostrate herb, 1 ft. or more long, silky. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 11-13. Racemes 6-12 flowered. Pod oblong-turgid, partly divided inside by a longitudinal membrane, ¼ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola Prov.; between Berber & Khartoum; Khartoum Prov.
May be one of the several species which yield “Gum-Tragacanth.”
A. abyssinicus Steud.
Shrubby herb, 3-4 ft. long. Side-leaflets 10-15 pair. Racemes dense, 4-6 long. Cor. yellow. Pod 1 in. long, linear, completely divided inside by a longitudinal membrane.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8-9,000 ft.).
308Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.
Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets about 6 pairs, oblong-lanceolate, emarginate, 1½ in. long, ⅔ in. broad, gland-dotted below. Flowers in slender axillary racemes half as long as the leaves.
Sudan; Libyan Desert (Khor Wau).
309Taverniera lappacea DC.
Stems procumbent, shrubby. Joints of the pods with rigid hooked bristles. Leaves 3-fol. Flowers yellowish, axillary, solitary or in pairs.
Nubia.
T. ægyptica Boiss.
Much-branched low shrub; pods densely bristly. Leaves simple, obovate-cuneate. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary.
Nubia.
310Alhagi maurorum Desv.
Low shrub, 1-3 ft. high, armed with spreading spines, 1 in. long. Leaves simple, obovate-oblong, drooping from spines and branches. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs from the spines. Pod falcate, 1 in. long.
Nubia.
Said to yield “manna.” The plant has antibilious properties.
311Herminiera Elaphroxylon Guill. & Perr. AMBATCH, AMBAJ & TUROR—Arab; ADĪT (Kenissa) & WOR (Renk)—Dinka; RUR & TYEF—Nuer.
Small tree with showy yellow flowers and prickly branches. Stems swollen at base consist of pith-like substance. Leaves abruptly pinnate; stamens monadelphous; pods spirally contorted.
Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile (from Abba Island southwards) & affluents; Kordofan Prov. (Rahad).
The swollen stems which consist of pith, are used to make rafts and canoes. This species is very similar to Æschynomene Pfundii Taub.
H. excelsa Kotschy. ?ADDIT (Renk)—Dinka.
White Nile Prov.
This and the next species are known only by name.
H. humilis Kotschy.
Fung Prov.
312Æschynomene uniflora E. Meyer.
Shrubby up to 4 ft. high. Legumes deeply sinuate, dividing into dissepiments. Leaflets 10-20 pair, sensitive. Flowers mostly solitary, yellow.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
Æ. Indica Linn.
Annual, 1-3 ft. high. Leaflets 40-70, alternate, sessile; pod 1-1½ in., narrow, slightly curved, glabrous. Flowers pale yellow, 2-4 in. lax, short-peduncled racemes.
Kordofan Prov. (in marshes); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Shambé, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Bor); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
Æ. cristata Vatke.
Shrub with hollow stems. Leaflets about 20 pairs, narrowly oblong, ⅓ in. long, nearly glabrous. Flowers few, axillary, pedunculate. Petals crested. Pods flat, breaking up into segments.
Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
Æ. Rüppellii Baker.
Low shrub; twigs viscid, brown. Leaflets 8-12 pair. Racemes axillary 6-8 flowered; cor. yellow. Pods ¼ in. long, with 2 constricted joints.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
Æ. nilotica Taub.
Twiggy. Leaves very short. Leaflets about 12 pairs, oblong, mucronate, ⅙ in. long. Flowers subsolitary. Petals slightly fringed.
White Nile Prov. (by J. Nyemati).
Æ. Pfundii Taub.
Shrub 6-8 ft., with soft wood. Leaflets numerous, oblong, serrulate, 1 in. long. Flowers few in racemes. Calyx villous. Petals not crested. Pods ¾ in. broad, pilose, breaking up into narrowly oblong segments.
Kordofan Prov. (Bir Rahad); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
This species closely resembles Herminiera Elaphroxylon G. & P., but branches not spiny.
Æ. aspera Linn. f.
Perennial 2-4 ft. high, stem spongy, pith-like; pod 3-4 in. long, over ¼ in. wide, nearly straight, 6-7 jointed, each joint with sharp asperities in the centre. Leaflets 40-70 or more.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The Sola Pith Plant of commerce. The soft pith-like wood is used in India to make helmets, floats, toys, etc. It is also used in surgery for the manufacture of tampons.
Æ. Telekii Schwfth.
Tree. Leaflets numerous, narrowly oblong, ⅓ in. long, glabrous. Flowers solitary, pedicellate, large. Petals crested. Pods with yellowish bristly hairs, flat, 3 in. long, not jointed.
Banks of the Nile.
Æ. Schimperi Hochst.
Annual, 2-3 ft. high.; pod articulated, smooth or bristly, divisions 10-15. Leaflets 12-30 pairs, sensitive. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary.
White Nile Prov.
313Smithia Kotschyi Benth.
Erect shrub; branches covered with weak yellow bristles. Leaflets 20 pairs. Racemes axillary, 6-12 flowered. Pod 7-8 jointed, small.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
S. Schweinfurthii Taub.
Shrub with long leafy branches with scattered hairs. Leaflets about 10 pairs, obliquely oblong, 3-nerved at the base, ⅓ in. long. Flowers with leathery striate bracts and sepals nearly hiding the corolla.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: by the Doguru).
314Stylosanthes flavicans Baker.
Copiously branched herb. Leaves 3-fol. Flowers in dense terminal heads; bracts densely imbricated; stamens monadelphous. Pod ¼ in. long, with 2 articulations.
Kordofan Prov.
315Arachis hypogæa Linn. FUL-SUDANI—Arab; BUL GWATH (Zeraf)—Nuer; WANDE—Zande. The Earth-nut or Monkey-nut.
Diffuse herb. Leaflets 4. Flowers axillary, solitary, yellow. The pod buries itself in the ground to ripen.
Cultivated everywhere for food.
316Zornia diphylla Pers.
Prostrate or ascending annual. Leaflets 2, dotted; stamens monadelphous; pod indehiscent, jointed; joints 2-5, set with short straight spines.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
A useful fodder.
317Desmodium spirale DC.
Annual 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3. Racemes terminal and axillary; cor. greenish and purple. Pod ½ in. long with 4-6 joints, often spirally twisted.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
D. gangeticum DC.
Procumbent herb; leaves 1 fol.; flowers rose-red; pod small, sessile, somewhat curved, joints 4-8.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: shady Khors and woody places); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
D. dimorphum Welw.
Branched undershrub, 2 ft. high. Leaves oblong, rounded or cordate at base. Racemes 1 in. long, sessile, axillary and terminal; cor. red. Pod ¼ in. long, lower margin deeply sinuate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
D. lasiocarpum DC.
Erect undershrub, 3-6 ft. high, densely brown pubescent.
Leaves cordate-ovate, 4-5 in. long. Racemes axillary and terminal; cor. red. Pod ¾ in. long, hispid, 4-5; jointed lower margin deeply sinuate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Niamniam-land).