Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung; White Nile, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces; Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
The wood is used as a substitute for Sandalwood; it is very heavy and close grained; the bark is employed for tanning leather. The fruit is eaten, and is useful in cases of habitual constipation and gastric troubles. The kernel yields a white vegetable butter (Wood).
OPILIACEÆ.
369Opilia amentacea Roxb. KAYU—Bari; KIUNGWAN (Mongalla)—Dinka; ZEBALABA—Golo.
Climbing shrub; branchlets finely pubescent. Leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, often sub-falcate. Flowers minute; yellow in axillary, bracteate spikes, pentamerous. Fruit a drupe, ovoid, ab. ½ in. long.
Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (near Dilling); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (two varieties); Mongalla Prov.
LORANTHACEÆ.
370Loranthus curviflorus Benth.
Woody, evergreen tree-parasite; twigs jointed. Leaves opp. or alt., linear to ovate-oblong, ¾-2½ in. long; umbels solitary 4-6 flowered; peduncle ¼ in. long; bract minute; calyx minute; cor. 1¾ in. long, of 5 separate petals reflexed above the middle; st. 5, under 1 in. long, inserted near base of petals. Fr. baccate.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° Lat. N.).
L. Acaciæ Zucc. GULA (Blue Nile), ANABA or SAM (Baggara), ABU HAMĀDA or ABHAMĀDA (North Sudan)—Arab; HAMILTOB—Rashida; INGYIL (Dilling) & ANABA (Kadugli)—Nuba.
Parasitic, as above. Leaves opp. or subopp., oblong to lanceol.-oblong, 1½-4½ in. long. Umbels axillary, 1-2 flowered. Fl. 5-merous, gamopetalous, scarlet, 1½ in. long, cor. 5, gibbous at base; lobes reflexed from the middle, but slit to within ¼ in. of base.
Widely distributed. Red Sea Prov.; Dongola Prov. (Wad El Merakh); Berber Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov. (Melbes); Darfur Prov. (Surutj District, Wadi Hashaba).
Good camel fodder. Host plants are Cordia Rothii, Acacia Seyal, Sesbania ægyptiaca, Tamarix articulata, Acacia Suma, Zizyphus mucronata.
L. Dregei Eckl. & Zeyh. var. kerenicus Sprague.
Parasite, as above; young parts rusty-tomentose. Leaves ovate-oblong to suborbicular 1½-3 in. long, opp. Heads axillary, fascicled, 2-4 flowered; bracts spoon-shaped, ¼ in. long; cor. 2 in. long, densely silky rufous-hairy, base gibbous; lobes reflexed from ab. the middle; anthers linear, 2-horned.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
Parasitic on Combretum Hartmannianum.
L. djurensis Engl.
Parasitic. Leaves opp. or alt., ovate or lanceolate, 2-4 in. long. Umbels 3-5 flowered; cor. 1¾ in. long, tube funnel-shaped, split down one side, ribbed; lobes 5, erect ⅓ in. long, strap-shaped, separating from below upwards; st. 5, ¼ in. long, inserted high up.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur; Wau River).
L. platyphyllus Hochst.
Parasitic. Leaves variable in insertion and shape, lanceolate to obovate, up to 4½ in. long. Umbels axillary, solitary 5-8 flowered; cor. orange-red, ab. 2 in. long, tube split down one side, shorter than lobes which are erect, separating from below upwards.
Fung Prov. (Danga, Jongol’s Post District).
L. globiferus A. Rich. var. verrucosus Sprague. AMAU—Jur.
Parasitic. Leaves ovate- to lanceolate-oblong 1-4½ in. long, thick. Umbels axillary, fascicled, 4-6 flowered; cor. ab. 1½ in. long, swollen above and at base, reddish; tube slit on one side; cor. lobes ¼ in. long, reflexed, spathulate; st. short.
Nubia (between Korosko & Berber); Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani, Sennar, Rahad); Fung. Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov. (Atem Branch at Jonglei).
The root is said to be used in the Bahr El Ghazal Province for making a lotion for itch.
Host plants are Khaya senegalensis, Zizyphus mucronata, Cratæva religiosa and Acacia tortilis.
var. salicifolius Sprague.
Leaves lin.-lanceolate or lin.-oblanceolate, 2½-4 in. long.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 7,000 ft.)
Parasitic on a Cordia.
L. Schweinfurthii Engl.
Parasitic. Leaves opp. or subopp., broadly ovate, 2-3 in. long, cuneate to cordate. Umbels axillary, solitary, 9-10 flowered; cor. under 1½ in. long, pilose outside, swollen at each end; tube slit ab. ½ in. down; lobes erect, ⅓ in. long, spoon-shaped; filaments toothed near apex.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: J. Ghattas).
Parasitic on Ficus platyphylla Del.
L. celtidifolius Engl.
Parasite; young parts rusty-pilose; branchlets lenticellate. Leaves opp. or subopp., ovate-oblong, 1½-3 in. long. Umbels axillary, solitary or ternate, 9-13 flowered; cor. showy, scarlet, 1⅓ in. long, swollen both ends; upper end 5-keeled, tube slit ½ in. down; lobes erect, spoon-shaped; filam. toothed.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500-8,000 ft).
SANTALACEÆ.
371Thesium Schweinfurthii Engl.
Spreading perennial, up to 9 in. high; branches 4-angled. Leaves ab. ¾ in. long, linear, keeled. Infl. arranged raceme-like at ends of short branches and subtended by ⅓ in. long bract and 2 small bracteoles; per. minute, green, 4-5 lobed, valvate, hairy at tip; st. 4-5 small. Fr. globose, 10-ribbed, minute.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Khor Mulmul).
RHAMNACEÆ.
372Zizyphus orthacantha DC.
Shrub or small tree, armed or unarmed. Leaves oblong to orbicular, 3-5 nerved from the base, glabrous above, shortly ferruginous-tomentose below and on extremities. Flowers greenish, in small axillary cymes. Fruit edible.
Kordofan Prov. (Masgul & J. Sungor); Upper Nile Prov. (Kodok).
Z. abyssinica Hochst.
Differs from above in its broadly ovate, acute leaves, very oblique at the base and 2-5 in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas: Bongo-land: Sabbi); Fung Prov. (Roseires); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli).
Z. Spina-Christi Lam. SIDDIR & NABAK—Arab; BUSA (fruit GHOT)—Hameg.
Very thorny shrub; prickles usually one straight and one recurved. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, equal at the base, crenate-serrate, 1-3 in. long. Fruit edible.
Khartoum Prov. (6th cataract); Blue Nile Prov. (Eilafun); North Sudan.
Z. mucronata Willd. SIDDIR, & NABBAK EL FIL—Arab; GABĀT & TAGABA—Hadendowa; KASSLA—Rashida; KWAII (Dilling), TITTAWYI (J. Eliri) & TINGRA (Kadugli)—Nuba; LĀNG—Shilluk; LANGI & LUKATI—Bari; LĀNG (Kaka & Kenissa) or LĀNT (Kenissa) & LANF (Renk)—Dinka; BWAU—Nuer; OM KURSAN—Hameg.
Small tree or large shrub, armed or unarmed. Leaves broadly ovate or ovate-cordate mucronate, crenate-serrate. Cymes 10-20 flowered.
Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (mouth of Bahr El Arab); Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Provinces; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Mongalla Prov.
The fruit is edible; the wood is light pink in colour, hard and durable.
373Mæsopsis sp.
Tree 20 ft.; branchlets lenticellate. Leaves obovate, obtusely acuminate, 4-4½ in. long, 2-2½ in. broad, glabrous. Young fruits globose, small, with the style persistent.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
AMPELIDACEÆ (or VITACEÆ).
374Ampelocissus abyssinica Hochst.
Woody climber; leaves 3-lobed, glabrous, rotundate-cordate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: by the Gendua River).
A. cavicaulis Pl.
Leaves large, palmate to pedate-partite, 5 principal lobes reaching ⅔ or ¾ of the way down.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, & Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
A. pentaphylla Pl.
Semi-herbaceous climber. Leaves 3-5 partite, lobes linear, loosely serrate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Bahr El Jebel (Mongalla Prov. & Madi).
A. Grantii Pl.
Climber; leaves almost rotundate, slightly or deeply 5-lobed.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-Ghattas).
A. Schimperiana Hochst.
Strong woody climber. Leaves large, slightly 5-lobed, rufous-villous when young. Fruit oblong, edible.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
A. cinnamochroa Pl.
Much like the preceding.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
A. bombycina Pl.
Leaves distinctly 3-5 lobed with rounded sinuses; young shoots densely silky-tomentose; stems herbaceous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
A. sarcocephala Pl.
Leaves 5-partite; segments lanceolate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
375Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr.
Leaves almost rotundate, undivided, slightly mucronate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Dar Fertit).
Large creeper used for jungle ropes.
C. bignonioides Schweinf.
Fairly large climber with corky stems; leaves ovate, cordate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Boddo River).
C. rubiginosa Pl. KISKI—Zande.
Leaves almost pentagonal, denticulate; leaves and shoots with dense silky rusty tomentum.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Kishi River).
C. producta Afzel. BULAKOLIN (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; YIAD—Jur.
Ascending undershrub or woody climber; leaves simple, lanceolate; joints thickened.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
The tubers, which are spindle-shaped, are used by Dinkas against tse-tse bites on animals, an emulsion of crushed tubers and water is rubbed over the animals’ bodies and a small quantity is also given to them to drink as a preventive.
C. cornifolia Baker.
Sub-erect undershrub, densely ferruginous when young. Leaves 3-nerved, palmate or ovate.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (near J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
Fruit edible.
C. quadrangularis Linn. SALA’ALA’A or SALALA—Arab; METOWI—Rashida; KĀT-UT—Hadendowa; ATETE (J. Daier) & ULGYIN (Dilling)—Nuba; MOJUNGI—Bari; ARENG (L. Powendael), & ARNIK (Kenissa & Renk)—Dinka; MEREKOTI—Golo; MERISH—Hameg; MUNDA—Burun; DEUGANAI—Nuer.
Climber with fleshy quadrangular stem, leafless part of the year. Leaves ovate to 3-lobed.
Throughout the greater part of the Sudan, especially Nubia.
A preserve of stem, boiled in water, is said to be a useful stomachic. The juice is used by camel-men to cleanse and heal saddle-galls, and other sores of camels. In the Bahr El Ghazal it is said to be used for poisoning arrows.
C. palmatifida Baker.
Sub-erect, woody. Leaves 3-5 lobed, often cut deep down; finely villous on upper and densely grey matted on under surface. Petals 4.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: below Dimoh & Atena River).
C. aralioides Welw.
Climber, woody below, glabrous. Leaves 5-fol.; leaflets oblong or slightly obovate 2-3 in. long, faintly denticulate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
C. Ibuensis Hook. f. LIF—Arab.
Herbaceous climber. Leaves 3-fol., irregularly serrate-dentate; fruit size of a pea.
Nile (between Khartoum & Berber); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land); Mongalla Prov.
C. alnifolia Schweinfth.
Herb 6 ft. high. Leaves simple, sessile, ovate-orbicular, 5 in. broad, denticulate, puberulous below; stipules triangular, acute, ⅓ in. long. Cymes terminal, glandular.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Kuddu).
C. juncea Webb.
Stem erect; leaves sessile; leaflets 3, subequal, oblong-lanceolate, 6-7 in. long, membranous. Root tuberous.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
C. crinita Planch.
Stem hairy; leaves long 3-5 fol.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
C. crotalaroides Schwfth.
Erect undershrub. Leaves sessile. Leaflets oblanceolate, acute, 5-6 in. long, 1-1½ in. broad, doubly serrate, puberulous below. Fruits pubescent.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Deim Zubeir & Jur-land: Zeriba Abu-Gurun).
C. adenantha Fresen. LODOREH—Bari.
Green climber; leaves pedate, with 4-7 leaflets.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
C. adenocaulis Steud.
Stem, woody, trailing; leaves compound, one terminal leaflet and one pair on either side, or, sometimes, 7 leaflets.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur & Niamniam-lands).
C. Schweinfurthii Pl.
Leaves trifoliolate, sessile; leaflets oblanceolate, repand-dentate, about 4 in. long, 1¼ in. broad, shortly pubescent below. Cymes tomentose. Tendrils much twisted.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas & Bongo-land: Addai).
C. serpens Hochst.
Stout herbaceous climber. Leaves digitately 5-7 fol.; sessile or short-stalked. Leaflets obovate-lanceolate, irregularly inciso-dentate, the veins beneath grey-downy.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov. (Umlabia).
C. pallida Wight. & Arn. ABANGIUR—Dinka; DELE—Golo.
Trailing or slightly climbing, semi-woody shrub. Leaves cordate, not lobed, faintly denticulate, glabrous.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
C. mossambicensis Klotzsch.
Woody climber. Leaves orbicular or reniform, more or less entire to deeply 5-lobed, with irregular, mucronate teeth. Flowers in densely compound lateral cymes.
Mongalla Prov.
C. gracilis Guill. & Perr.
Slender climber. Leaves pedate; leaflets 5, the shorter forked, all thin of texture.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
C. intricata Baker. LIF or LUFA—Arab.
Slender woody climber; leaflets 3-5, pedate, firmly membranous. Flowers in 4-6 in. broad cymes.
White Nile Prov.
C. Thonningii Baker.
Leaves 3-5 fol., serrate; leaflets distinctly stalked, edges loosely crenate. Flowers in lax, branched cymes. 4-6 in. broad.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling).
C. Figariana Webb.
Erect, hairy undershrub. Leaves 5-7 fol.
Nubia.
C. cyphopetala Pres.
Climber with puberulous stems and softly tomentose serrate leaflets and broad open cymes of small flowers.
Red Sea Prov. (Has Has).
RUTACEÆ.
376Ruta tuberculata Forsk.
Herb with tubercled glands; leaves linear, with pellucid glands. Flowers usually 5-merous; petals entire.
Nubia; Berber Prov. (Berber Desert); Khartoum Prov. (Halfaya); White Nile Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Khors, Karora-hills).
Yields a volatile oil, which may act as an irritant when the plant is handled.
377Teclea nobilis Hook. f. FURFURRUK (J. Daier)—Nuba; FIK—Bari; SEKIA—Golo.
Unarmed large shrub or small tree; leaves 3-fol., large. Flowers unisexual. Male flowers 4-merous, sessile in branching panicles shorter than leaves. Female flowers in short axillary spikes.
Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Wau, Bongo-land: Dukuttu & Mittu-land: by the Rohl River); Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
The wood is used for spear shafts in Bahr El Ghazal and for bark mallets in Uganda.
377aToddalia aculeata Pers.
Erect or scrambling shrub, armed with recurved prickles. Leaves 3-fol., alternate, with pellucid glands; petioles often with prickles beneath. Flowers unisexual, cream coloured, panicled.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
378Clausena anisata Oliv.
Shrub with pinnate leaves, which are 6-12 in. long; leaflets 10-20, ovate or ovate-oblong. Flowers white, numerous on axillary, paniculate cymes; stamens 8-10. Berry 1-seeded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Wau & Deim Zubeir).
379Citrus Aurantium Linn.
var. amara L. NARING—Arab. The Bitter Orange.
Grown throughout the country in gardens; frequently used as a stock for the sweet orange, mandarin and sweet lemon.
var. sinensis Gall. Citr. BORTUGAN—Arab. The Sweet Orange.
Grown throughout the country in gardens.
C. decumana Linn. LIMUN HINDI—Arab. The Grape Fruit or Shaddock.
Occasionally found in gardens.
C. medica Linn. var. Limon Gall. Citr.
subvar. acris. LIMUN BALADI—Arab. The Lime.
Grown everywhere in gardens and frequently on Sagias.
subvar. Limetta Risso. LIMUN HELLU—Arab. The Lemon.
Cultivated in gardens.
C. nobilis Lour. YUSEF EFFENDI—Arab. The Mandarin.
Cultivated in gardens.
SIMARUBACEÆ.
380Hannoa Schweinfurthii Oliv.
Shoots clustered from the old wood. Leaves pinnate; leaflets linear-oblanceolate, leathery, up to 6 in. long, glabrous, with sunken nerves. Flowers racemose few. Fruits oblong-ovoid, ¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Mts. Nga, near Maalah).
381Irvingia Smithii Hook. f.
Tree, 40 ft. high. Leaves coriaceous, ovate-elliptical, rounded at base and more or less cordate, 2-4 in. long. Flowers pale yellow in narrow, subpaniculate racemes. Fruit oblong, 1½ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Hu River).
The fruit is of no value. The wood is white and very hard.
I. sp. DARITAR—Dinka; AKOS—Jur; BILI & M’BILI or TIRI—Golo.
Large, smooth stemmed, riverside tree. Flowers white, fruit blue drupaceous. Very like the foregoing species.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).
The timber is white, hard, and takes a good polish. It is used for boat-building.
382Balanites ægyptiaca Del. HEGLIG—Arab; ’SASSUD & SHASHOT—Hadendowa; KORAK (J. Daier), TIRA (Dilling & J. Ghulfan), KURI (J. Eliri) & N’DMUSSO (Kadugli)—Nuba; KHA—Hameg; SORONGO—Golo; LALLOK & LUMILI—Bari; TAU (usual) & TU (Kaka)—Dinka; TAU—Jur & Nuer; TU—Shilluk; TOAN—Burun; Fruit LALOB—Arab; FIATH—Nuer (young tree).
Large tree armed with straight green spines, which are supra-axillary or axillary. Leaves 2-fol., entire. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, greenish-white. Disk fleshy, covered with white hairs. Drupe up to 2 in. long, with a bony endocarp.
Found throughout the greater part of the Sudan especially in the Fung and Upper White Nile Provinces.
var. membranacea Van Tiegh.
Dongola Prov. (Debba).
The fruit, called LALOB, is edible; it has a bitter sweet flavour and aperient qualities. The root, bark and leaves are purgative, and act as a vermifuge. The kernel yields an oil which is used as an unguent. The wood is hard, compact and fine grained, it is durable and resists the attacks of insects. The bark yields a strong fibre, and is also used as a soap for washing clothes.
383Harrisonia abyssinica Oliv. KARB EL WADI—Arab; KIREILLI—Bari.
Large shrub; leaves imparipinnate, with winged petiole; leaflets 3 pairs and an odd one. Flowers small in axillary or subterminal cymes.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Jebel; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir & Addai, Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
384Klainedoxa oblongifolia Stapf.
Shrub 15 ft. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, about 12 in. long and 4 in. broad on the young shoots, the older shoots with much smaller leaves; stipules very long (about 6 in.) acuminate. Fruits very hard, 4-6-angled, 1½ in. in diam.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
BURSERACEÆ.
385Boswellia papyrifera A. Rich. ROTARO, or RUTRUT, TAKTAK (Abu Gibeiha) or TARAKTARAK (Talodi) (Baggara), GAFĀL—Arab; HĀDA (Dilling) & LAGI (J. Eliri)—Nuba; GULGULA—Hameg. Called “Elephant tree” by Europeans because elephants feed on it.
Tree with imparipinnate leaves and papery bark, often found on quartzitic soils. Flowers pink, in umbellate racemes, appearing before the leaves, hermaphrodite; stamens 10. Capsule trigonous, 1 in. long.
Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov., Darfur Province.
Yields a fragrant resin.
386Commiphora Opobalsamum Engl.
Spineless shrub or small tree. Leaflets 3-5, entire or slightly undulate; leaves scattered or in fascicles. Flowers small, fascicled.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin).
Yields the “Mecca Balsam” or “Balm of Gilead.” It is much used in Cairo as medicine. The fruit is considered a powerful carminative and digestive.
C. erythræa Engl.
Small tree. Leaflets 3, obovate, pubescent, the terminal one about 1½ in. long, crenulate. Fruits subglobose, pubescent, about ⅓ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (coast).
C. quadricincta Schweinfth.
Small bushy tree, growing on rocky hills; branches spiny. Leaves simple, ovate-elliptic, rounded at the apex, 1¼ in. long, ½-¾ in. broad, glabrous, long-stalked. Fruits 4-winged.
Kassala Prov. (J. Erimbat at Goz Regeb).
C. abyssinica Engl.
Small tree with spiny branches. Leaves trifoliolate but sessile or subsessile and thus appearing simple; leaflets obovate, crenate, glabrous, about 1¼ in. long. Fruit ovoid, acute, ⅓ in. long, glabrous.
Kassala Prov. (near J. Langeb); Red Sea Prov. (J. Shabba, south of Suakin).
C. africana Engl. GAFĀL—Arab; KIRBI (Dilling)—Nuba; TOWOLLO—Burun.
Small spiny tree. Leaves usually 3-fol.; leaflets cuneate, broadly crenate-serrate. Flowers fasciculate. Drupe subglobose, slightly oblique.
Kordofan & Nuba Mts. Provinces.
The resin is a form of Bdellium, a drug resembling Myrrh.
C. pedunculata Engl. LUBAN—Arab; HĀDA (Dilling)—Nuba; DAMFULAN—Hameg.
Small tree. Leaves more or less fascicled at extremities; leaflets 5-11, serrate-dentate, pubescent. Flowers in pedunculate, axillary, few-flowered cymes.
Fung, Kordofan, Nuba Mts. & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.
Yields a resin similar to Olibanum.
387Canarium Schweinfurthii Engl.
Large tree with imparipinnate leaves; leaflets oblong, acuminate, subcordate at the base, about 6 in. long and 1½ in. broad, softly pubescent on the nerves below. Flowers in panicles with large bracts.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Yuru River); Lado District.
The sap-wood is whitish, the heart-wood rose-colour, similar to a Khaya; useful for carpentry. The resin is used by the Niamniam for torches, and when ground down with oil for anointing the body. Fruit eaten.
MELIACEÆ.
388Turræa Vogelii Hook. f.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves simple, alternate, elliptical, entire. Flowers white, on axillary peduncles bearing 2-10 umbellate pedicels; stamens 10, monadelphous; staminal tube with subulate teeth; anthers apiculate. Ovary 9-12 celled.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
T. nilotica Kotschy & Peyr. KHARIF (J. El Amira)—Nuba.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves obovate obtuse, tomentose beneath. Flowers in many-flowered umbellate, sessile fascicles. Teeth of staminal tube triangular or oblong. Ovary 10-celled.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dar Nuba on rocky hills); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: by the Pwah); Bahr El Jebel.
389Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
Large tree; leaves imparipinnate. Leaflets 2-9 pairs with a terminal one, which is sometimes wanting. Flowers white, honey-scented. Drupe size of an olive, purple when ripe, 1-celled.
Introduced. The Neem Tree of India.
A handsome quick-growing shade tree, suitable to dry localities, and a great improvement on the “Persian Lilac.” The timber is valuable, and grows to a useful size.
390Melia Azedarach Linn. ZINZILAKH (Egypt)—Arab. Persian lilac.
Moderate-sized tree with bipinnate leaves. Drupe ovoid, yellow when ripe; flowers white and purple, scented. Fruit 5-celled; endocarp bony.
Introduced. Khartoum Prov., etc.
391Ekebergia Rüppeliana A. Rich.
Tree; fruit fleshy, globose, 2-celled. Leaves 6-12 in. long, imparipinnate, collected at the extremities; leaflets 5-9, coriaceous. Flowers in axillary, pedunculate racemes. Stamens 10 monadelphous, margin of tube dentate.
Fung Prov.
392Trichilia emetica Vahl. UM-SHARA, UMHAGRI & occasionally DABKAR (Baggara)—Arab; TISHU—Hameg; HORURI (Dilling)—Nuba.
Tree with pinnate leaves and pubescent young parts; leaflets 7-10, obtuse, pubescent beneath. Flowers ¾ in. diam., in short axillary panicles; stamens 8-10 monadelphous. Capsule 3-valved; seeds with a scarlet arillus.
Blue Nile Prov. (Medani & Khor Dahab); Fung, White Nile, Nuba Mts. & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces; Mongalla Prov. (Hillet El Nuer & Gondokoro).
The seeds yield an oil which is used in cookery and in soap-making. The wood polishes well and makes pretty furniture. The bark is said to act as an emetic when given in small doses.
T. retusa Oliv. SABRONGO—Golo.
Small tree with white flowers in axillary panicles; fruit a flat capsule. Leaves 3-5 fol., leaflets retuse-truncate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Khors).
The ashes of the leaves are used as a substitute for salt.
393Khaya senegalensis A. Juss. HOMRA, HOMRAYA or MURRAYA—Arab; TIT—Dinka; BELE—Golo; TIDO or TIRO—Jur; KIR—Bari; BOGU—Zande.
Large tree with abruptly pinnate leaves. Flowers white, in large panicles, unisexual; fruit a globose capsule, 2½ in. diam., dehiscing into 4 valves. Seeds flat, disk-like with a winged membranous edge.
Darfur, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
African Mahogany. The wood cuts into very fine planks, and is suitable for cabinet work and joinery. Oil from the seeds is said to be used to keep flies from cattle.
K. Dawei Stapf. BOGU—Zande.
A very large tree. Leaves pinnate; leaflets obliquely elliptic, shortly acuminate, about 6 in. long and 2 in. broad, glabrous. Flowers small, paniculate. Sepals and petals rounded. Stamens in a tube. Fruits subglobose. Seeds winged.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku stream). Mongalla Prov.
394Pseudocedrela Kotschyi Harms. DURUBA—Arab; POIK (Goz El Siada) & PHUT (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; GUMBERTI and ZILI—Golo; PHUT—Jur; KOLKO—Burun; RIR—Nuer; N’ZUMMUNIA—Zande; KAHILI—Bongo.
Small to moderate sized tree, with rough bark. Leaves pinnate; leaflets alternate, 4-7 pairs, up to 2 in. long, loosely dentate, pubescent. Flowers in axillary panicles, unisexual, white, crowded towards ends of branches. Fruit a 4-5 in. long, somewhat pyriform capsule, splitting into 4-5 valves; seed with a long wing on one side.
Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
The wood is handsome and fragrant and is suited to the manufacture of gun stocks and for joinery.
P. sp.
Leaflets sub-opposite, about 3 pairs, the terminal leaflet largest, all oblong-lanceolate, subacute, 3½-5 in. long, 1-1½ in. broad, closely reticulate, glabrous. Flowers in lax, slender panicles. Buds subglobose, glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Deim Guju).
SAPINDACEÆ.
395Paullinia pinnata Linn.
Semi-herbaceous climber. Leaves imparipinnate, 5-fol.; stalk winged. Flowers small, white, numerous, clustered on racemes 3-4 in. long, with a woody spiral tendril at the base. Capsule woody 3-angled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. to Belgian Congo Border.
The leaves and roots are used on the Gold Coast for dysentery. The bark of the root contains a narcotic poison; both it and the seeds are used for stupefying fish.
396Cardiospermum Corindum Linn.
Slender climber with watch-spring-like tendrils. Leaves imparipinnate, leaflets toothed, pubescent below; stalk not winged. Flowers pale yellow. Fruits bladdery.
Red Sea Prov. (near Erkowit & 21° N.L.).
C. Halicacabum Linn. GODOBO (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Slender herbaceous climber with bi-ternate leaves and inflated, 3-valved roundish membranous capsule. Flowers white; tendrils opposite, circinate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land, Gumango Hill).
var. microcarpum H.B. & K.
Similar to above but capsule smaller and obversely deltoid.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov.
The root is described as possessing emetic, laxative, stomachic and rubefacient properties. The leaves and young stems are sometimes cooked as a vegetable, the seeds are used as a tonic.
397Schmidelia rubifolia Hochst. SUMEIMA (Fung)—Arab; MEREMERET (J. Daier)—Nuba.
Low tree with 3-fol. leaves, without stipules. Leaflets obovate-cuneate, more or less crenate, the lower surface grey-downy. Flowers on axillary racemes 2-3 in. long.
Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli & J. Daier); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit & Jur-land); Mongalla Prov.
S. africana DC.
Tree, 30-40 ft. high. Leaflets 3, nearly sessile, the central one 4-6 in. long, oblong-cuneate, with the cuneate base entire and upper edges distantly and bluntly toothed. Flowers in axillary and terminal panicles.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Niamniam-land: at Tuhami’s Zariba).
The fruits are used in Abyssinia as a remedy for tapeworm; the wood is described as very strong and close grained.
S. Schweinfurthii Gilg.
Shrub; leaves 3-fol.; leaflets obovate-oblanceolate, acute, denticulate in the upper part, 3½-5 in. long, 1½-2 in. broad, glabrous. Panicles lax, long and slender, puberulous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
S. cf. S. Schweinfurthii Gilg. TULŪNG (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Shrub; leaves 3-fol.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri).
S. sp. (or Rhus sp.). KURINYIL (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Shrub; leaves 3-fol.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri).
398Aporrhiza paniculata Radlk.
Tree. Leaves pinnate; leaflets oblong-elliptic, emarginate, about 6 in. long and 2½ in. broad, reticulate, glabrous. Flowers small, widely paniculate. Fruits 2-lobed, flat, 1 in. broad, tomentose.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
399Dodonæa viscosa Linn. TATTAS—Hadendowa; TASHAS—Rashida.
Shrub or small tree with glossy, linear-lanceolate leaves. Flowers polygamous, in short terminal panicles, yellowish; sepals 5; petals none. Capsule with 2-4 membranous wings.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Has Has to 22° N.L.).
A useful and attractive hedge plant. The wood is close-grained, hard and durable, pores moderately fine, irregularly distributed, medullary rays very numerous, indistinct. The plant is reputed to possess some medicinal properties, both as a febrifuge, and when boiled with water as an embrocation for sprains, bruises, etc.
ANACARDIACEÆ.
400Mangifera indica Linn. Mango.
Evergreen tree. Leaves coriaceous, entire, oblong-lanceolate, up to 12 in. long.
Introduced.
Grown in gardens throughout the country. Some varieties form handsome trees bearing excellent fruit.
401Rhus villosa Linn.
Shrub, sometimes thorny; leaves 3-fol. Leaflets obovate to oblanceolate, obtuse, often apiculate.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra); Bahr El Jebel.
R. near R. villosa Linn. SAMŌT—Hadendowa.
Shrub; leaves trifol.; leaflets obovate, crenate, about 1 in. long, pubescent below. Flowers and fruit not seen.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,000-7,500 ft.).
Fruit said to be eaten.
R. abyssinica Hochst. ALONGKOY—Dinka; VULASIM—Golo; AKNALKUALA—Jur; SAMŌT or SAMOP—Hadendowa.
Shrub; leaves 3-fol.; leaflets oval or oblanceolate, obtuse or acute, pubescent, not reticulate above. Flowering panicles hairy, axillary, shorter than the leaves.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Has Has).
R. oxyacantha Schousb.
Branches spiny. Leaves trifoliolate; leaflets obovate-cuneate, coarsely crenate, ½-¾ in. long, ciliate. Flowers very small, in short panicles. Fruit shining, ⅓ in. in diam.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).
R. glaucescens A. Rich.
Shrub; leaves 3-fol., coriaceous. Leaflets glabrous or puberulous along the midrib, oval to lanceolate, obtuse, entire to crenulate-dentate. Panicles shorter than the leaves, axillary.
Upper Blue Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
R. pulcherrima Oliv.
Shrub; leaves simple, alternate, 4-10 in. long, oblong or oblong elliptical, with minute silvery tomentum beneath.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Bahr El Jebel).
R. insignis Del. LAHLA or LALAI—Hadendowa.
Tree or shrub; leaves simple, approximate, in threes; fruit black resinous.
Red Sea Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
R. dioica Willd.
Armed shrub; leaflets 3, broad crenate.
Red Sea Prov. (22° N.L.)
402Odina fruticosa Hochst. LEYUN—Arab; KOWA—Hameg; TILLA—Burun.
Moderate-sized tree; leaves pinnate, 9-15 fol., at length glabrous, present when flowers appear; leaflets obliquely lanceolate, subsessile. Flowers 4-merous in stout, fulvous, axillary spikes.
Red Sea Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Nuba Mts. Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
This tree and other species of Odina yield a gum.
O. Schimperi Hochst. AMZAQ (Baggara)—Arab; HAMMADAI—Hadendowa.
Tree; leafless at time of flowering. Leaves imparipinnate, 9-11 fol., at length glabrous. Leaflets subsessile, oblique at base, narrowly acuminate. Racemes simple, while in flower terminal on branches.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
O. Barteri Oliv. HAMADAB—Hadendowa; KLANDA—Golo; WEEDA—Zande.
Middle-sized to large tree, leafless during the dry months. Leaves pinnate, 7-11 fol., softly hispid pubescent, at length scabrid. Spikes fascicled on old wood.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Nuba Mts. Prov. (near Talodi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Niamniam-land, etc.)
The bast of the bark is made into a rope.
O. cf. O. Barteri Oliv.
Leaves pinnate; leaflets ovate-elliptic, rounded at the base, about 3 in. long and 2 in. broad, softly tomentose below. Fruits oblong, with 3 humps, glabrous, ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur & Bongo lands).
O. humilis Oliv. ARISH (Fung), LEYUN (Baggara) & HOMEID (Kordn.)—Arab.
Shrub or small tree, sometimes gregarious. Leaves pinnate, densely hairy beneath, 9-11 fol., short; leaflets elliptical to ovate. Flower spikes up to 1½ in. long, densely tomentose; ovary hairy.
Upper Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Khor Attar); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Mongalla Prov.
O. sp. N’DU-N’DU—Golo.
Tree. Leaves pinnate; leaflets ovate or elliptic, about 2½ in. long and 1½ in. broad, glabrous. Flowers and fruit not seen.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).
Bark used for ropes.
O. near microcarpa A. Rich.
Small tree.
Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
O. sp. UMSURUJ (Baggara)—Arab.
Moderate-sized tree.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Homra near Kadugli).
O. sp. KULUWEI (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Tree.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri).
403Pseudospondias microcarpa Engl.
Tree, 80 ft. high. Leaves pinnate; leaflets obliquely ovate-elliptic, obtusely acuminate, about 6 in. long and 2½ in. broad. Flowers very small in large panicles. Fruits oblong, ¾ in. long.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Assika).
The fruit is edible.
404Sclerocarya near S. Caffra Sond. RUFI—Bari.
Tree with pinnate leaves; leaflets 7-11.
Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
S. Birrea Hochst. HOMEID—Arab; KŌI (J. Eliri), & INDENU (Kadugli)—Nuba; MAT—Bari; DUNGDUNG—Golo; AKAMIL (Goz El Siada)—Dinka; KABTI—Burun; ALLANFA—Hameg.
Tree with pinnate leaves. Leaflets 9-23, oblong-, ovate-, or obovate-elliptical, usually mucronate, entire or toothed, up to 2 in. long. Male flowers in short spikes or racemes; drupes solitary, size of a walnut.
Fung, Nuba Mts. & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces; Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Mongalla Prov.
The wood is used for making vessels for holding food.
Fruit eaten.
CONNARACEÆ.
405Byrsocarpus pseudobaccatus Schellenb.
Tree 20 ft. high. Leaves pinnate; leaflets elliptic to obovate, obtuse, 3-4 in. long, 1½-2 in. broad, glabrous. Racemes in dense fascicles. Fruit curved, ¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
405aRourea gudjuana Gilg.
Shrub. Leaves pinnate; leaflets ovate or ovate-lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, 2½-4 in. long, ¾-1½ in. broad, reticulate. Racemes densely fasciculate, axillary. Fruits ovoid-lanceolate, acute, ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit: Deim Gudju).
406Agelæa Schweinfurthii Gilg.
Shrub, 8 ft. high. Leaves pinnate; leaflets ovate-elliptic, shortly acuminate, about 3½ in. long and 2 in. broad, glabrous. Flowers in terminal panicles. Fruit obliquely obovoid, tomentellous, ½ in. long.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Diagbe River).
407Cnestis cf. C. oblongifolia Baker.
Woody climber. Flowers white, without smell; fruit orange, acid. Leaves imparipinnate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River). Fruit orange-acid.
UMBELLIFERÆ.
408Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.
Perennial herb giving out long runners from axils of leaves on root-stock. Leaves from root-stock or 1 or 2 together from nodes of runners, reniform, shallowly crenate. Flowers subsessile, usually 3 together at end of short erect peduncles, pink. Peduncles 1-3 from nodes opposite the leaves. Fruit ovoid, hard with primary and secondary ribs obscure.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Tuhami’s Zeriba).
H. natans Cyr.
Creeping perennial, rooting at nodes. Leaves long-petioled, suborbicular, shallow-crenate, subpeltate. Umbels ab. 7 flowered. Fruit minute, longitudinally ridged.
Bahr El Zeraf; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd to Bor).
409Pimpinella etbaica Schwfth.
Annual up to 1 ft. high. Leaves, the lower long petioled, pinnately tripartite, the upper variously trifid. Umbels compound, primary rays 3-7, secondary 7-12, involucres absent. Flowers white or violet; fruit covered with hooked hairs.
Red Sea Prov. (above 2,000 ft.).
410Diplolophium abyssinicum Benth. & Hook. f.
Perennial 2-5 ft. high, sometimes perfumed like peppermint. Leaves up to 1 ft. and more long, many times divided, segments filiform; petioles up to 5 in. long, sheathing. Umbels compound, primary rays numerous from an involucre of stout 1 in. long, pubescent bracts; secondary rays numerous, from involucels of ab. ½ in. long bracteoles. Flowers comparatively large, hermaphrodite. Petals emarginate. Fruit cylindrical with 2 long styles.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: steppes near the Kishi River); Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 8,000 ft.).
411Fœniculum vulgare Gærth. Common Fennel.
Herb 2-3 ft. high. Leaves 3-4 times pinnate; segments narrow, linear. Umbels compound, without involucres, 15-20 rays in umbel. Fruit ¼ in. long, oval, slightly compressed laterally; vittæ conspicuous under the furrows.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 5-9,000 ft.).
412Sium Thunbergii DC. Prod.
Marsh herb, with runners. Leaves pinnate, dentate, 1 ft. long, with sheathing, auricled petiole 5 in. long. Umbels compound; rays numerous with many-leaved involucres and involucels. Fruit shortly ovoid, compressed.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Niurnya 6,500 ft.).
S. angustifolium Linn.
Perennial up to 2 ft. high. Leaves pinnate; segments of lower leaves 8-10 pairs and an odd one, ovate-lanceolate, serrate; upper leaves, segments less numerous, but larger and more deeply toothed or lobed. Umbels compound with primary and secondary involucres, lateral; carpels with 5 slender ribs and several vittæ.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Niurnya 6,500 ft.).
413Peucedanum Grantii Kingston.
Stout glabrous herb up to 7 ft. high. Lower leaves bipinnate, upper ternate, on dilated petioles. Umbels compound, paniculate on a distinct peduncle; primary rays numerous with no involucre or only 1 small bract; secondary numerous; involucel of several bracteoles. Fruit ⅓ in. long, with 3 longitudinal ridges.
White Nile Prov.
P. graveolens Benth. & Hook. f. The Dill Plant.
Erect, glabrous annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves much divided; segments linear-bristly. Umbels compound, many-rayed. Involucre and involucels none. Flowers yellow. Fruit 1/5 in. oval oblong, compressed, ridged, with lateral wings.
Darfur Prov.
Cultivated.
P. fraxinifolium Hiern. ASAD EL TUGULE & ASAT EL GIRD (Baggara)—Arab; DAHKIKAK (J. Daier), KOTUNDURAK (J. Eliri) & N’DARABWA (Kadugli)—Nuba.
Small fleshy tree. Leaves pinnate; leaflets 9. Umbels compound, arranged together, on about ½ a dozen 5 in. long peduncles at end of branches. Fruit obovate, broadly winged.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (on rocks); Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Wando’s country).
414Coriandrum sativum Linn. Common Coriander.
Erect branching annual up to 18 in. high. Lower leaves pinnatifid or bipinnatifid; upper leaves much divided with linear segments. Umbels terminal, of 5-8 rays. Involucre none, involucels of few bracts. Fruit globose, ribs not very prominent, vittæ none.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Niurnya 6,500 ft.).
ERICACEÆ.
415Blæria spicata Hochst.
Heath-like low shrub. Leaves alt., or more commonly 3 whorled, linear to lanceolate, revolute. Fl. up to ¼ in. long, pink, in leafy racemes from upper axils, 4-merous; anthers 4, 2-lobed, opening by terminal pores and with 2 short basal bristles. Capsule 4-valved.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8,500-9,000 ft.).
EBENACEÆ.
416Euclea Kellau Hochst. GUM or OGUM—Hadendowa.
Shrub with subopposite, bright green, coriaceous leaves, obovate or lanceolate, 1-2 in. long. Fl. white, heath-like, in 9-12 flowered racemes, diœcious; male fl. with 12 stamens. Fruit globose, ¼ in. diam.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Has Has).
Fruit eaten.
417Maba abyssinica Hiern. GUGHAN & JUKHAN—Arab; SHOM—Dinka; SHOMU—Golo; MIENNA—Burun.
Small tree. Leaves alt., lanceolate-oblong, 2-5 in. long. Fl. axillary, subsessile, clustered, diœcious, mostly trimerous; male fl. minute; stamens 14, mostly in pairs; fem. fl. 3-5 together; style 3-dentate; staminodes 3-4. Fruit subglobose, ½ in. diam.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz El Siada); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Wau); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.
Wood dark, takes a fine polish, is used for gun stocks.
M. sp.
Shrub. Leaves alt., lanceolate, 2 in. long, ¾ in. broad, glabrous. Fruits sessile, oblong-ellipsoid, ½ in. long, glabrous, girt by the persistent cupular calyx.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: near the Teh).
418Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. GUGHAN & JUKHAN—Arab; ARĪAP & ARIAI—Hadendowa; SHŪM (Dilling) & KWAR (J. Eliri)—Nuba; KUMI—Bari; SHOM—Dinka; CHUMU or SHOMU—Golo; KOLOME—Bongo or Zande.
Tree, sometimes large, with black bark. Leaves alt., oblong to obovate 2-6 in. long. Fl. white diœcious; infl. axillary, short. Male fl. ferruginous-tomentose, 5, occasionally 4-merous, small; stamens 10-16, often in pairs; fem. fl. 1-3 together, 3-5-merous, staminodes 6-8, styles 2, bilobed. Fr. subglobose 1 in. diam.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Gughan); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dinka-land, native ebony; & Bongo-land, a favourite fruit); Mongalla Prov.
Wood dark, streaked with black near wounds, takes a fine polish. It is used by natives for making clubs. The heart-wood, which is black, furnishes one of the ebonies of commerce. Fruit edible.
SAPOTACEÆ.
419Butyrospermum Parkii Kotschy. var. niloticum Kotschy. LULU—Arab; KOR or KOAR or KORI—Bongo; RAK—Dinka; RIVIA, BAA or BAK—Golo; RAK or YAU—Jur; RIEK—Nuer.
Large tree with black rough bark, yielding a milky juice producing an inferior gutta-percha. Leaves crowded at ends of branches, oblong, sometimes emarginate, 6-9 in. long, coriaceous, glabrous, lateral nerves prominent, arcuate; petiole 2-3 in. long. Fl. in dense umbels in the axils of the leaves at the ends of the branchlets; calyx lobes in 2 rows of 4; cor. segments 8; st. 8; petaloid cuspidate staminodes 8; fruit subglobose, 1½ to 2 in. long, containing a sweet edible pulp and a seed not unlike a horse-chestnut.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur. & Mittu lands, Mosanga & Niamniam country); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro).
The wood is very hard and heavy, it is reddish in colour and takes a fine polish. It is used for mortars, bowls, and for building. The fruit is edible, and the seed is known in commerce as Shea Nut. The kernels of the nuts yield about 50 per cent. of fat called Shea Butter, which has been found useful in the manufacture of candles, soap, and butter substitutes. Locally it is used by the natives for food, for anointing the body, and for lighting purposes.
420Mimusops Schweinfurthii Engl. BĪ or BEI or IRDOKO—Golo; NIANLALWEL—Dinka; NIANLALWEL & DENYA—Jur.
Leaves crowded on stout shoots, obovate, emarginate, 4 in. long, 2 in. broad, silvery silky below. Flowers densely clustered, axillary; pedicels ⅙ in. long. Sepals pubescent.