Bulb moderately large. Leaves linear, channelled, 12-18 in. long. Ped. 18-24 in. long; rac. up to 18 in., lax; upper pedic. short, lower up to 1½ in.; bracts up to ¾ in. long. Per. ab. ¾ in. long, segm. whitish with a broad 5-nerved red-brown keel. Caps. ovoid, ½-¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu: Dimindu; Niamniam-land: River Buddu).
772Scilla spicata Baker.
Bulb 1 in. diam. Leaves 2, lanceolate, 2-5 in. long. Ped. 4-6 in. long; spike 1-2 in., dense. Per. campanulate, bright purple; segm. 6, 1-nerved, minute; sta. 6, short; anthers versatile. Caps. 3-valved.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau River).
S. edulis Engl. MAKPĀRA—Bongo.
Bulb over ½ in. diam. Leaves 4-6, linear, up to 3 in. long. Ped. slender, 2-3 in. long; raceme up to 2 in. long, fairly dense; pedic. short; per. mauve-purple, ⅛ in. long; sta. ab as long, filam. mauve-purple.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
S. indica Baker.
Bulb up to 2 in. diam. Leaves 5-6, lanceolate, 6 in. long, sheathing. Ped. ab. 6 in. long; rac. 3-4 in. lax; ped. ¼-⅓ in. longer, lower drooping. Per. campanulate, greenish-purple, ⅛ in. long; filam. purple.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
S. Schweinfurthii Engl.
Bulb ¾ in. diam. Leaves 3-6, linear, 2-3 in. long. Ped. 2-3 in. long; raceme ab. 1½ in. lax, lower fl. drooping; centr. pedic. ⅙ in. long. Per. campanulate, green, ⅙ in. long; filam. pale.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
S. mæsta Baker.
Bulb ab. 1½ in. diam. Leaves 5-6, lanceolate with a few purple spots, 4-6 in. long. Ped. 2-3 to a bulb, ab. 4 in. long; rac. 1-2 in. dense, lower ped. drooping, ⅓ in. long. Per. campanulate, green, ⅛ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
S. modesta Baker.
Bulb ab. 1½ in. diam. Leaves 2, obl. or lanc., 2-6 in. long. Ped. 2-6 in. long; rac. 2-3 in., lax; pedic. ab. ⅙ in. long. Per. campanulate, green, ⅛ in. long; filam. pale.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Wau).
S. chlorantha Baker.
Bulb 1½ in. diam. Leaves 3, obl. or obl.-lanc., 6 in. long, 1-2 in. broad, sheathing at base. Ped. 4 in. long; rac. 3-5 in., moderately dense; pedic. ab. ⅙ in. long. Per. campanulate, green, ⅛ in. long; filam. green.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
S. lilacina Baker. BASSAL EL KELB, KILGA & BERID (Blue Nile)—Arab.
Bulb ½ in. diam. Leaves 6-8, obl.-lanc., thin, 3-4 in. long, ab. 1 in. broad. Ped. 4-6 in. long; rac. 3-5 in., lax; pedic. ab. ⅓ in. long. Per. tubular-campanulate, ¼ in. long, pale purple; filam. bright mauve-purple.
Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Upper White Nile Prov. (Renk); Kordofan Prov.
S. cf. S. lanceæfolia Baker.
Leaves obl. or obl.-lanc., spotted dark green. Rac. 2-3 in. long; pedic. longer than fl. Per. campanulate, purplish, ab. ¼ in. long; filam. purple.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
773Ornithogalum Eckloni Schlecht.
Bulb 1-2 in. diam. Leaves 4-6, linear, 1-2 ft. long, ab. ¾ in. broad near base. Ped. fairly stout 18-24 in. long; rac. 3-4 in., rather dense; pedic. short, ascending. Per. ¼ in. long; segm. free, obl., white with green keel; sta. 6, hypogynous, shorter than per.; filam. linear; anthers versatile. Caps. globose, ¼ in. diam.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
774Gloriosa virescens Lindl. HABALEKO—Rashida.
Sarmentose herb climbing by means of prehensile leaf-tips. Leaves usually obl. or obl.-lanc., with tendril-like tips, 5-6 in. long, the lower verticillate or opp. Infl. a lax terminal corymb; pedic. long, nodding at tip. Per. ab. 2 in. long; segm. free, lanceolate-cuspidate, slightly or not crisped, usually bright red, ultimately strongly reflexed; sta. 6, hypogynous, shorter than per.; style over 1 in. long, 3-forked above. Caps. ab. 2 in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kio); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Wau; Shambe); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla & Lado. Asugi).
Probably has medicinal properties; the tuber is poisonous.
G. virescens Lindl. var. grandiflora Baker.
Fl. larger; per. segm. 3-4 in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Abu Kuka).
PONTEDERIACEÆ.
775Eichornia natans Solms.
Aquatic herb; stems floating or creeping in the mud. Submerged leaves sessile, linear, 2-4 in. long; floating leaves petiolate, ½-1 in. long, ½-1 in. broad ovate or orbicular, cordate; produced sheath of petiole (so-called stipule) up to 1¼ in. long. Fl. apparently issuing from below middle of pet. of floating leaves. Perianth inferior; segm. 5, united below, blue, ¼ in. diam.; sta. 6; ovary 3-celled; style shortly 3-6 lobed. Caps. spindle-shaped, ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: between Gir & Addai; Ghazal R.).
776Heteranthera kotschyana Fenzl.
Aquatic herb; stem creeping in the mud. Leaves 1-3 in. long ovate, cordate; pet. 2-8 in. long, whose sheath embraces the membranous spathe out of which issues the 2-4 in. long spike. Per. segm. 6; sta. 3. Caps. ½-¾ in. long.
Kordofan Prov. (between Melbes & El Obeid); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gurfala).
777Monochoria africana N.E. Br.
Aquatic herb. Leaves radical, 3-4 in. long, ovate, acuminate, slightly cordate; pet. long. Flowering stems 11-14 in. long with a leaf or tubular leaf-sheath at their summit enclosing a filiform-pointed spathe 1 in. long. Raceme 2-4 in. long, emerging from the spathe. Per. segm. 6, free, blue or violet; sta. 6, unequal, the filam. of largest toothed; stigma of 3 bifid lobes.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
TACCACEÆ.
778Tacca pinnatifida Forst.
Rootstock tuberous, up to 1 ft. diam. Leaves radical, long-petioled (1-3 ft. long), large, dividing into 3 forked branches; final segments ovate or lanceolate. Fl. many in an umbel; ped. 1-3 ft. long; bracts 4-6 in a whorl; per. superior; segm. 6, all small, greenish-brown; sta. 6, filam. hooded, purple; stigma peltate; lobes 3, bifid; berry 1 in. long, subglobose.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor to Gigging, Yei River).
The tuber yields starch, which is said to be similar to arrow-root, but of poor quality. It is not cultivated, but is gathered wild and eaten.
DIOSCOREACEÆ.
779Dioscorea (Helmia) sativa Linn. MAYDOK or NYTI, also MERE (aerial tuber) & BARANDOKA (undergr. tuber)—Zande. The Yam.
Herbaceous twiner with edible tuber. Leaves alt., ovate or orbicular, cuspidate, cordate, 1 ft. long, 7-9 nerved, often with bulbils in the axils. Infl. diœcious, spicate, the male spikes fascicled at leafless nodes. Male fl. minute; per. segm. 6; sta. 6. Fem. fl. also minute; per. segm. 6; styles 3. Caps. deeply 3-lobed; seeds broadly winged at base.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé).
The plant is cultivated throughout Tropical Africa for food, and flour being made from the dried tubers.
D. sagittifolia Pax.
Twining herb with tuberous root. Leaves triangular-sagittate, 4-5 in. long, 5-nerved. Male spikes geminate. Fem. fl. and fruit unknown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Okale).
Tuber probably edible.
D. alata Linn.
Twiner with 4-winged stem; tuber large, edible. Leaves usually opp., ovate-acuminate, cordate, 7-nerved, 6-9 in. long. Caps. glabrous, 1¼ in. diam., 3-winged; seeds orbicular, winged all round.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River). Cultivated, see above D. sativa L.
D. abyssinica Hochst.
Twiner; stem terete. Leaves ovate-acuminate, cordate, 7-nerved, 3-4 in. long. Caps. orbicular, deeply-lobed, 1¼ in. diam.; seeds orbicular, winged all round.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
D. schimperiana Hochst.
Leaves as above, but 5-nerved and rather larger and hairy. Infl. pubescent. Caps. with 3 orbicular lobes, 1 in. long and 1½ in. diam.; seeds orbicular, winged all round.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Gumango Hill); Fung Prov. (Bunzaga).
D. (Helmia) dumetorum Pax.
Twiner, often prickly. Leaves 3-fol., pubescent beneath; end leaflet obovate, cuspidate, 5-6 in. long, side leaflets oblique. Male fl. in short axillary panicles; fem. fl. laxly racemed. Caps. 3-angled, 2 in. long; seeds 1 in. long, with large basal wing.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Khor Ganna near Kadugli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Tuhami’s Zariba); Mongalla Prov. (Lado Dist.: Yambi Khor).
Poisonous, but can be rendered edible by pounding and washing.
D. phaseoloides Pax.
Unarmed twiner. Leaves 3-fol.; end leaflet oblong, 2½ in. long. Male fl. in fascicled axillary spikes; fem. fl. and fr. unknown.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Gumango Hill).
D. (Helmia) beccariana Martelli f.
Unarmed twiner. Leaves 5-fol.; leaflets obovate or oblong 3-4 in. long. Male fl. in fascicled axillary spikes. Fem. fl. in long lax spikes. Caps. oblong, acutely 3-angled, ¾ in. long; seeds with long oblong basal wing.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
COMMELINACEÆ.
780Palisota Schweinfurthii C. B. Ce.
Herb 3-7 ft. long; young parts shaggy with fulvous or greyish hairs. Leaves whorled up to 26 by 8 in., elliptic, densely hairy on the margin. Flowers in a dense cylindric panicle, very numerous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Boddo R. & Nabambisso R.).
781Commelina nudiflora Linn. BE-EID (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
Marsh herb; stems decumbent, 1-2 ft. long. Leaves alt., 1-3 in. long, lanceolate; sheaths 1-2 in. long. Infl. of 2 racemes enclosed in a folded ovate-lanceolate, ½-2 in. long spathe; fl. 1-3 in the lower and 3-8 in upper rac.; sep. 3; pet. 3, 2 with long claws, blue; sta. 2-3 perfect, 2-3 sterile; seeds 5, reticulated.
White Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft. & J. Marra 4-5,500 ft.); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd from southwards); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
It is said to be medicinal and to be eaten by cattle.
C. subulata Roth.
Weak herb 6-15 in. long. Leaves 2 in. long, linear. Spathes nearly sessile, ½ in. long ovate. Fl. blue, hardly exserted from spathe; seeds 5, pitted and wrinkled.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).
C. benghalensis Linn. BAYAD (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
Hairy herb, 1-3 ft. long. Leaves ovate-elliptic 1-3½ in. long; spathes subsessile, funnel-shaped by lower margins being connate ⅓ in., ½-⅔ in. long, crowded near tips of branches; seeds 5, rough or wrinkled.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, near Suakin, Khor Tamanib); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
The fleshy rhizomes sometimes contain much starch and are wholesome food when cooked.
C. Forskalæi Vahl. DUEID (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; NIOK (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Pubescent branched herb, 8-24 in. long. Leaves oblong, up to 2 in. long. Spathes ½-⅔ in. long, funnel-shaped on ped. up to ⅓ in. long. Pet. blue; seeds 1-3, smooth.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi Erkowit, Suakin, Sea-coast to between 3,000-4,000 ft.); Kassala Prov. Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Bir Sodari, J. Kurbaj, El Obeid); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
C. africana Linn.
Glabrous trailing herb, 1-3 ft. long. Leaves up to 3 in., oblong subsessile. Spathes 1-2 in. long, folded, ovate on ped. up to ⅔ in. long. Pet. yellow; seeds reticulated.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River, Makporru Hill).
C. involucrosa A. Rich.
Large herb. Leaves 1½-5 in. long, lanceolate, pubescent. Spathes 2½ in. long, simply folded; ped. 1 in. long. Fl. probably yellow.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib).
C. krebsiana Kunth.
Leaves hairy on both sides when mature, otherwise as C. africana.
Red Sea Prov. (near Erkowit); Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Bahr El Jebel).
C. Kotschyi Hassk.
Glabrous herb. Leaves 2 in. long, lin.-lanceolate, subsessile, often crenulated. Spathes subsessile, ½-⅔ in. long, broadly ovate, 1-3 near ends of branches. Pet. intensely blue. Caps. small, constricted; seeds smooth, brown.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).
C. imberbis Hassk.
Herb, 1-2 ft. high; internodes 2-3 in. long. Leaves narrow- to ovate-lanceolate, 5 in. long, the upper sessile, often auricled at base. Ped. few, scattered, exserted ½-1½ in. Spathes broadly ovate, ab. 1 in. long, margins free or nearly so. Pet. blue. Caps. ¼ in. long; seeds 4, nearly smooth, brown.
Fung Prov. (Roseires).
C. latifolia A. Rich.
Slightly hairy herb; internodes long. Leaves obl.-lanc., sessile, upper cordate or nearly sagittate, 3½ in. long. Ped. 1-2 at top of branch, exserted ½-1 in.; spathes broadly ovate, ¾ in. long, margins shortly connate at base. Pet. blue. Caps. ¼ in. long; seeds 4, nearly smooth, brown.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza).
C. bracteosa Hassk.
Slightly hairy herb, 15 in. high; internodes 2 in. long. Leaves elliptic-acuminate, 3½ in. long. Ped. 1-2 at ends of branches, slightly exserted; spathes broadly ovate, ab. 1 in. long, slightly white-hairy, margins connate at base. Pet. blue. Caps. ⅙ in. long, papery; seeds 3.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambe).
C. æthiopica C. B. Clarke.
Tufted herb, 8-14 in. high; internodes 1-2½ in. long. Leaves broadly obl.-lanc., 3½ in. long. Ped. 1-2 at ends of branches, hardly exserted; spathes and fl. as above. Caps. 2-seeded.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Barboi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Jur Ghattas, Kutshuk Ali’s Zariba).
782Aneilema sinicum Lindl.
Herb; stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves linear, 8-10 in. long, ¼ in. broad. Infl. a cymose panicle, subtended by a bract (not spathe) ½-2 in. long, lin.-lanc. Sep. 3, minute; pet. 3, blue or dull purple, ¼ in. long or more; sta. 6, 2 fertile; filam. bearded at base. Caps. 1/5 in. long; seeds 6.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Agad Zariba, Wau); Mongalla Prov. (Bor southwards).
var. (β) longifolia C. B. Clarke.
Rather larger in all parts; fertile sta. sometimes 3.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Niamniam-land: Sway River).
A. tacazzeanum Hochst.
Weak decumbent herb, 1-2 ft. long. Leaves elliptic, 3 in. long. Fl. in terminal cymose panicles; bracts minute, ovate. Pet. probably yellow; filam. bearded at base; seeds 2-6.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Gwob).
A. beniniense Kunth.
Trailing herb, 1-2 ft. long. Leaves ovate-elliptic or obl., acuminate, 2-5 in. long. Fl. in 1-2 terminal panicles; cyme peduncles often 100 or more. Pet. very small, blue or white; fertile sta. usually 3, filam. without hairs; seeds 5-7.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Linduku River & Nabambisso River).
A. Schweinfurthii C. B. Clarke.
Minutely pubescent herb; stems 8-14 in. high. Leaves on barren stems obl.-lin., 4½ in. long but on flowering stems few, oblong, 1-2 in. long. Pan. terminal, dense, pubescent, at length 1¼ by ¾ in.; bracts and bracteoles small. Pet. small, blue. Caps. nearly ¼ in. long, white; 4 seeded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Bongo: Gir. Khor Ajok, between Wau & Chakchak).
A. near A. soudanicum C. B. Clarke.
Hispid herb, up to 15 in. high. Leaves obl. or elliptic-lanc., sessile, obtuse, 3 in. long, lowest reduced to scales. Pan. dense, 1½ by ¾ in. terminal; bracts ⅙ in. long, bracteoles smaller. Pet. white or pale blue.
Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
A. pedunculosum C. B. Clarke.
Weak, trailing, sparsely hairy herb; stems 6-24 in. long. Leaves elliptic or ovate, acuminate, 2 in. long. Pan. terminal, small, frequently on short lateral branches; sep. minute; pet. very small, blue; fertile sta. usually 3, filam. slightly bearded. Caps. 1/5 in. long, shining, pale; seeds 4, pale.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambe).
A. Russegeri C. B. Clarke.
Much like A. Schweinfurthii.
Nubia; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
783Cyanotis hirsuta Fisch. & Mey.
Stems from a bulb; flowers in small heads exserted from the leaf-sheaths; leaves oblong-lanceolate.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora Hills).
C. lanata Benth.
Annual with fine woolly hair when young; stems 4-18 in. long. Leaves narrowly obl.-lanc.; up to 3 in. long. Infl. scattered, axillary and peduncled, of 1-4 clustered scorpioid cymes ab. ½ in. diam.; outermost bract usually ½-1 in. long; bracts falcate, in 2 rows or densely packed. Sep. 3, more or less connate at base; pet. 3, small, blue (?), the claws more or less coherent into a tube; sta. 6, perfect; filam. bearded. Caps. thin, 3-celled; seeds 5-6.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo: Gurfala).
C. djurensis C. B. Clarke.
Herb with white wool on young parts; sterile stem short, bearing linear leaves up to 10 in. by ½ in.; flowering stems 12-20 in. long with linear leaves 6 in. long when present. Heads of several clustered cymes; outer bracts to terminal heads 2-3 in. long, linear; bracts distinctly 2-ranked; fl. blue.
Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
C. Cæspitosa Kotschy & Peyr.
Herb, at first villous, then glabrate; sterile stems abrupt; basal leaves tufted, obl.-lanc., 3 in. long, shaggy at base. Leaves on flowering stems 0-1 (besides floral leaves) reduced to sheaths with a triangular point. Fl. heads hardly ½ in. long of 1 or few cymes; outer bracts ½-1 in. long; falcate bracts 2-seriate in cymes, hairy. Fl. red.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).
784Floscopa rivularis C. B. Clarke.
Decumbent herb; stems 1-2 ft. long. Leaves obl.-lanc., sessile on sheaths 2-4 in. long. Panicle 1-2½ in. long, dense, brown-hairy, terminal. Sep. 3; pet. 3, purple or rose; sta. 6; filam.-naked; caps. 2-valved, 2-seeded, small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
F. Schweinfurthii C. B. Clarke.
Thinly hairy annual, 6-8 in. high. Leaves ovate-lanc., sessile, 2 in. long. Pan. terminal, leafy; cymes 1½ in. long, hairy, dense. Caps. minute. Colour of fl. not known, probably yellow.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Sabbi and Kulengo).
F. flavida C. B. Clarke.
Slightly hairy annual, 2-5 in. high. Leaves lanc., sessile, 2½ in. long. Pan. terminal, slender; cymes few, ½-1½ in. long. Cal. purple; cor. yellow. Caps. small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Agada, Jur Ghattas, Abu Gurun’s Zariba).
AMARYLLIDACEÆ.
785Hypoxis angustifolia Lam.
Tuberous-rooted herb. Leaves 6-12, radical, 6-12 in. long. Ped. 1-4, shorter than leaves. Corymbs lax 2-6 flowered; per. yellow, ⅓ in. long, 3 outer segm. green and hairy outside; sta. 6; stigmas 3; ovary inferior, 3-celled, as in all this family.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
H. sp.
Leaves few, linear, 9-12 in. long, 1/5 in. broad, 3-nerved, thinly pilose. Flower (only 1 seen) ⅓ in. long, long-pilose outside; segments yellow, ovate-lanceolate.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River: Kagulu).
786Curculigo gallabatensis Schweinfth.
Herb; tuber 2 in. long. Leaves 3-4, linear, plicate, 1-2 ft. long. Fl. solitary; per. superior, base adnate to ovary, produced into a beak-like tube, 2 in. long; segm. 6, yellow, spreading, ab. ½ in. long, the 3 outer lobes reddish and hairy outside; sta. 6; stig. 3, united.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: banks of the River Gendua); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas and by the River Wau); Mongalla Prov. (Gemeiza).
787Crinum tinneanum Kotschy & Peyr.
Bulbed herb; leaves not known. Fl. 12-30 in an umbel, rose-red; spathes 2-3 in. long; per. tube 3 in. long; segm. 6, linear, spreading, 1½ in. long; sta. 6, filiform; anthers versatile; stigma capitate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main-river); Bahr El Jebel (Gondokoro).
C. purpurascens Herb.
Bulbed herb. Leaves numerous, strap-shaped, 1½-3 ft. long. Ped. shorter than leaves; fl. 4-6 in an umbel, red; spathes 2-3 in. long; per. tube 5-6 in. long; segm. 2-3 in. long, lanceolate; sta. 6, filaments 2-3 in. long, purple; style capitate, longer than stamens.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Wau and Deim Zubeir.)
C. ammocharoides Baker.
Leaves 6-8 to a bulb, 1 ft. long, 1 in. broad. Ped. stout, compressed, 3-6 in. long, bearing an umbel of 10-20 bright-red flowers; spathes 2-3 in. long; per. tube 3-4 in. long; segm. linear, 2-3 in. long; sta. 6, filaments bright red, 2-3 in. long; style capitate, rather longer.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
C. pauciflorum Baker.
Bulb 2-3 in. diam. Leaves 6-8, 12-18 in. long, only ¼ in. broad, erect. Ped. slender, 6-8 in. long; fl. 1-2 to an umbel; spathe valves 2-3 in. long. Per. tube curved, 4-5 in. long; segm. 3 in. long, 1 in. broad, acute, white with a distinct red keel. Filaments 1 in. shorter than per. segm.; anthers ½ in. long; style overtopping anthers.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
C. scabrum Herb. LANGABO—Golo.
Bulb 5-6 in. diam. Leaves 12 or more, 2-3 ft. long, 1½-2 in. broad at middle, scabrous at margin. Ped. fairly stout, 1-2 ft. long; umbel 4-8 flowered; spathe valves 2-3 in. long. Per. tube curved, greenish, 4-5 in. long; segm. ab. 3 in. long, 1 in. broad, acute, white with a distinct red keel; filam. rather shorter than and style reaching tip of per. segm.
Fung. Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Darfur Prov. (Kulme and J. Marra, 5,000 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo: Gir).
C. giganteum Andr.
Differs from above by leaves 3-4 in. broad in middle and narrowing to the base and by the pure white flowers.
White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Rumbek and Shambé); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
788Hæmanthus multiflorus Martyn. GASH-EL-FIL—Arab; OU—Golo.
Bulb 2-3 in. diam. Leaves 3-4, 6-12 in. long, 3-4 in. broad. Ped. separate from the leafy stem; fl. in dense globose umbels, 3-6 in. diam., blood-red; spathe-valves 6-8, 2 in. long. Per. tube cylindric, ½ in. long; segm. linear, 3-nerved, 1 in. long; filam. longer than per. segm.; fruit a scarlet berry.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.
H. filiflorus Hiern.
Differs from above chiefly by broader leaves, 5-6 in. broad and 1-nerved per. segments.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Jur: Jur Ghattas, Dar Fertit: Pongo River).
H. rupestris Baker.
Bulb small. Leaves 2, 6 in. long, 4 in. broad. Spathe valves 4-5, reddish, 1½ in. long; per. segm. 3-nerved, ½ in. long.
Kordofan Prov. (Melbes).
789Pancratium tortuosum Herb.
Bulb long-necked, 2 in. diam. Leaves 6-12, 6-12 in. long, spirally twisted. Ped. very short; umbel 2-4 flowered; spathe valve 1. Per. tube 5-6 in. long; segm. linear, white. Filam. connate into a cup 1 in. long, toothed between the filam. tips, all white.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Erkowit, between Suakin and Khor Tamanib).
P. trianthum Herb. ATTAB—Golo.
Leaves 6-8, 12 in. or more, not twisted. Umbel of 1-3 flowers; spathe valves and teeth of staminal cup bifid, otherwise as above.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Red Sea Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas and Jur Aweit); Bahr El Jebel.
P. maximum Forsk.
Leaves 4-5. Ped. 1-flowered; per. tube greenish, 4 in. long; segm. 2½ in., white; cup 2 in. long, faintly lobed.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin).
IRIDACEÆ.
790Lapeyrousia abyssinica Baker.
Herb with bulbous stem (corm), 6-12 in. high. Leaves 3-4, distichous, 3-6 in. long. Spikes lax 2-6 flowered; per. corolline, lilac, 6-lobed, ¾ in. long; sta. 3, ⅓ in. long; ovary inferior, 3-celled; style 3-branched, branches bifid.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
791Tritonia bongensis Pax.
Cormed herb; stem 1 ft. long. Leaves 2, distichous, 1 ft. long. Spikes lax, 3-6 in. long; per. red-purple; tube ⅓ in. long; segm. 6, oblong, clawed, ¼ in. long; sta. 3; style 3-branched, branches simple, clavate; ovary inferior.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo; Lessi River); S.E. Sudan.
792Gladiolus quartinianus A. Rich.
Cormed herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves distichous 3-4, 18 in. long. Spikes 6-12 in. long, 6-9 flowered; spathe ab. 2 in. long; per. blood-red, more commonly pale-yellow; tube 1½ in. long; segm. 6, 2 in. long and 1 in. broad; sta. 3; style branches 3, spreading, flattened; ovary inferior.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (Kio); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land: Gumango Hill); Bahr El Jebel.
G. unguiculatus Baker.
Herb with 2-3 sheathing leaves, 18 in. long. Per. 1¼ in. long, white, tinged with greenish-brown; segm. clawed.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo: south-west of Tonj River).
793Romulea Bulbocodium Seb. & Mauri.
Small crocus-like herb with membranous truncated bulb-scales; leaves linear, recurved; flowers blue-purplish with yellow anthers; common in the Mediterranean region.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, 4,000 ft.).
ZINGIBERACEÆ.
794Kæmpferia æthiopica Benth. TONYANGWI (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; KAMUTWEN—Jur.
Herb, the handsome solitary flowers appearing out of the ground before the leaves. Leaves 3-5, oblong-lanceolate, 9-18 in. long. Calyx funnel-shaped, 1½ in. long; cor. tube exserted from calyx, lobes lanceolate, 1½ in. long, lilac-coloured; fertile sta. 1, anther ½ in. long; staminodes 5, petaloid, ab. 3 in. long, bright red-purple; ovary 3-celled.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Gendua River); Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Dar Fertit: between Chak Chak & Deim Zubeir); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
K. rosea Schweinf.
Flowers pink or lilac with yellow and deep purple streaks, many on a raceme, contemporary with the leaves.
Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land: Gumango Hill); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
795Cadalvena spectabilis Fenzl.
Acaulescent herb with leaves in a rosette and few pale-yellow fl., 3 in. long, on short stalks from the centre. Calyx funnel-shaped, shortly toothed; cor. lobes 3, lanceolate, 2 in. long; fertile stamen shorter than cor. lobes; anther ½ in. with pale yellow strap-shaped appendage; side staminodes small, anterior one (lip) 3 in. long, pale yellow.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
796Costus pterometra Schumann.
A tall herb. Leaves obovate or oblanceolate, acute, acuminate, about 8 in. long and 3½ in. broad. Spikes ellipsoid, 3 in. long. Bracts elliptic.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
C. trachyphyllus Schumann.
Tall herb. Leaves oblong ab. 1 ft. long. Spikes many-flowered, 3 in. long, terminal; outer bracts orbicular, 1¼ in. diam., inner oblong, membranous. Cal. funnel-shaped, ½ in. long; cor. lobes oblong, 1½ in. long; fertile sta. 2 in. long petaloid, anther ¼ in., half-way down; lateral staminodes minute, 2 or absent; lip obovate 3 in. long white or tipped rose; style filiform, passing between lobes of anther, as in most others of this family.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Mbrwole & Yuru Rivers).
797Amomum polyanthum Schumann. AKORI—Zande.
Stem tall, leafy. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 1 ft. or more, pilose beneath. Fl. in a globose head on a basal peduncle 6-12 in. long, with large, imbricate bracts. Cal. funnel-shaped, slit one side; cor. tube cylindrical, dorsal lobe boat-shaped, lateral lanceolate spreading; lateral staminodes 0; lip oblong purplish-yellow 1 in. long: fertile anther with 3-lobed crest; filaments filiform.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Linduku River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diamvonu Stream).
A. luteo-album Schumann.
Leafy herb with stout root-stock; leaves hairy on veins. Much as above; lip white with yellow middle.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Wando Village).
A. sanguineum Schumann.
Stem up to 15 ft. high. Leaves 1½ in. long, pubescent beneath. Infl. globose, simple or branched, radical; fl. enclosed in large brown bracts; dorsal cor. lobe bright red, 1½ in. long; lip pale yellow, 1½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Assika & Nabanda & Yuru Rivers).
A. Korarima Pereira. HABAHAN—Arab; ?NONGA—Zande.
Fruit flask-shaped 2 in. long, flattened one one side, glabrous.
Found in Abyssinia, on the Upper Sobat, from where its fruit is exported to the Sudan as a kind of Cardamom. It is said to be found also in the Southern B. El Ghazal Prov.
A. giganteum Oliv. & Hamb.
Stems 15-20 ft. Leaves up to 2 ft. long and 6 in. broad. Flowering stem radical, 2 ft. long; flower spikes distichous enclosed in bracts; cor. lobes 2 in. long; lip 3 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi).
A. spp.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Atasilli River & Yuru River).
MARANTACEÆ.
798Thalia geniculata Linn.
Herb, up to 6 ft. high. Leaves with long petioles, sheathing the stem at the base, blades up to 1 ft. long and 6 in. broad. Infl. in a large lax panicle; bracts oblong, ½-1 in. long enclosing pairs of flowers; sep. 3, small; pet. 3, purple; staminodes violet, longer than petals; lip obovate, purple, crested; anther 1-celled on a narrow lobe.
Sobat River (Nasser); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land: Gumango Hill).
799Clinogyne cuspidata K. Schum.
Stems branched and leafy up to 12 ft. high. Leaves 1 ft. or more by 6 in., pinnately streaked with white, cuspidate, with sheathing pet. Panicles copious: flowers in pairs, one on a longer pedicel; sep. 3, ⅓ in. long; pet. 3; staminodes united in a tube at the base, ⅔ in. long, yellow or purple; lip obovate, keeled inside; sta. 1, anther 1-celled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).
C. ugandensis K. Schum.
Stems moderately stout. Leaves grey-green, 4-6 in. long, cusp eccentric; pet. sheath 5 in. long. Fl. much as above.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District, Doka’s).
C. azurea Schum.
Stems tufted. Leaves 4-8 in. long, lower ones reduced to sheaths, cusp very acute. Bracts 2-flowered, 1 in. or more long; fl. bright blue, 1 in. long.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Wando’s village).
800Trachyphrynium Braunianum Baker.
Tall shrub with slender branchlets. Leaves oblong, cuspidate, 3-6 in. long; sheaths 2-4 in. long. Infl. terminal, simple; bracts oblong-lanceolate, 1 in. long, enclosing pairs of whitish flowers, 1 in. long; sep. 3, lanceolate, ½ in. long; pet. 3, connate at base; staminodes connate, 1 in. long; lip broad obliquely crested; sta. ligulate, anther adnate, 1-celled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Lado); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Mbrwole & Atassili Brook).
MUSACEÆ.
801Musa Schweinfurthii K. Schum. et Warb. Niamnian-land.
M. Ensete Gmel. BOGGUMBOLI or BOO—Zande.
Plant 30-40 ft. high with a stem ventricose at base and a plume of leaves up to 20 ft. long and 3 ft. broad. Fl. in terminal spicate panicles, unisexual; peduncle short; flowering panicle short; bracts densely imbricate, dark-brown, the lower 1 ft. long, 4-5 in. broad. Fl. whitish 1½-2 in. long, in 2 dense rows, each of up to 20 flowers. Fruit 2-3 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
M. paradisiaca Linn. subsp. sapientum O. Ktze. SHAGAR EL MUZ—Arab; FATH—Nuer; BEDIGAWA (tall plant with long triangular fruit), BIRA (medium-sized) & TINGI-TINGI (dwarf plant)—Zande. The Banana Plant.
Cultivated.
ORCHIDACEÆ.
802Microstylis sp.
Herb about 6 in. high. Leaves 2 or 3, ovate, acute, 2-3 in. long, 1-1½ in. broad, 5-nerved at the base. Peduncle with 3 or 4 bracts. Flowers subcapitate, flesh-coloured, transparent. Lip bilobed, slightly fringed, ⅙ in. broad.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District: Ngoi).
803Megaclinium sp.
Epiphyte on tree trunks. Pseudobulbs sessile in the axil, 2 in. long. Leaves lanceolate, emarginate, 4 in. long, 1 in. broad. Inflorescence about 1 ft. long. Rhachis 8 in. long, ⅓ in. broad. Flowers sessile, about 30 in each inflorescence.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District).
804Eulophia lutea Lindl.
Ground orchid with corm.-like base. Leaves distichous, usually plicate, linear to elliptic-lanceolate. Fl. scapes ab. 1 ft. long; racemes lax; bracts lanceolate, ¼ in. long; 3 sepals and 2 yellow petals ¼ in. long; lip oblong, 3-lobed; spur oblong 1/10 in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District; Kagulu Khor).
E. baginsensis Reichb. f.
Ground orchid with conical pseudobulbs. Leaves ensiform 1-2 ft. long, 2 in. broad, crenulate. Scape 3 ft. high, panicled above; bracts ovate lanceolate ¼ in. long. Sep. 3 and pet. 2 (as in all this family, excluding the lip); lip oblong, 3-lobed; front lobe rhomboid 3-many-toothed; spur shorter than ovary.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
E. stachyodes Reichb. f.
Ground orchid. Leaves lanceolate-acuminate, 5-10 in. long, appearing after the fl. Scapes 2 ft. high; racemes 6 in. long, many flowered; bracts lanceolate, ¾ in. long, green and purple; pet. white, ¾ in. long; lip white with maroon streaks, 3-lobed; spur curved, 1/10 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Yubbo River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District: Ngoi); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land).
E. flavopurpurea Rolfe.
Ground orchid. Leaves elongate-linear, under ½ in. broad. Scape 2¼ ft. high; raceme 1 ft. long, few-flowered; petals yellowish-green, ¾ in. long; lip ligulate, 3-fid, striped purple; spur retrose, yellow at apex, small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
E. Woodfordii Rolfe.
Ground orchid with tuberous rhizome. Leaves lanceolate, 8-18 in. long, tapering to sheathing petiole. Scapes up to 3 ft. high; racemes 6-15 in. long with many greenish and light lilac flowers; sep. ¾ in. long, pet. a little shorter; lip ¾ in. long, somewhat trilobed, with 4 tubercles; spur broadly saccate.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District: Allumas).
E. Schweinfurthii Kraenzl.
Ground orchid. Leaves elongate-linear. Scapes 2 ft. high; racemes few-flowered; sep. ¼ in. long, orbicular; pet. ¼ in. long, ligulate; lip 3-lobed, 3-ridged; spur stout, conical.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).
E. guineensis Lindl.
Terrestrial orchid, with large conical pseudobulbs. Leaves lanceolate- or obovate-oblong, 4-12 in. long; pet. ½-5 in. long. Scapes 2-3 ft. long; racemes 8-12 in. long, many-flowered; sep. and pet. 1-1½ in. long, brown; lip pink, ovate; spur ¾-1 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Niamniam-land).
E. sp. near E. Zeyheri Sond.
Erect herb about 1½ ft. high. Leaves not seen. Flowers few, beautiful light yellow with brown lip.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei, Ngoi).
805Lissochilus pyrophilus Reichb.
In this genus all are terrestrial herbs with elongate lanceolate or linear, plicate leaves, rising from a creeping rhizome. In this sp.: scape 18 in. high; racemes 6-10 in. laxly many flowered; fl. brown, sep. and pet. ¼ in. long; lip 1/5 in. long, 3-lobed; spur minute.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Kuraggera).
L. paludicolus Reichb. f.
Leaves 1½-2 ft. long, ½ in. broad. Scape 3 ft. long; raceme 10 in. long, laxly many yellow-flowered; sep. and pet. ½ in. long; lip obscurely 3-lobed, with 3 crenulate ridges; spur saccate, ¼ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ibba River); Bahr El Jebel.
L. Millsonii Rolfe.
Scape 2-2½ ft. long; raceme 6-8 in. long; sep. and pet. ab. 1 in. long, cream-coloured; lip chocolate-coloured 3-lobed, with 5-9 crenulate ridges; spur ab. ⅙ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Kagulu).
L. purpuratus Lindl.
Leaves 1-2 ft. long. Scape 3-4 ft. and raceme 9-12 in. long, many flowered. Sep. and pet. faint-pink, ¾ in. long, petals broader; lip 3-lobed, side lobes purplish brown, front lobe lilac with 2-4 darker crenulate ridges; spur conical, 1/5 in. long, pink.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Kutshook Ali, Dar Fertit: Biselli, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
L. arenarius Lindl.
Leaves 1-1½ ft. long, ½ in. broad, appearing after flowers. Scapes 2-3 ft. high, racemes 4-8 in., 6-10 flowers. Fl. purple with greenish sepals; sep. ¾-1¼ in. long, lanceolate; pet. same length, broad-elliptic; lip ab. same length; broadly pandurate 3-lobed, with thickened crenulate median nerve; spur ab. ⅓ in. long, yellow inside.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
L. Roscheri Reichb. f.
Fl. small lilac, probably a small form of above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Bongo: Gafal River).
L. porphyroglossus Reichb. f.
Leaves long petioled, 3½ ft. long, 1¾ in. broad. Scapes tall; racemes 1 ft. long, many-flowered; sep. lanceolate, 1 in. long; pet. suborbicular, ab. 1 in., pale lilac: lip 3-lobed, 1¼ in. long, purple with 3-5 crenulate ridges; spur ⅓ in. conical.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Hoo River).
L. Schweinfurthii Reichb. f.
Leaves 18 in. or more. Scapes tall, racemes 1 ft., many-flowered; sep. ovate-oblong, 1 in.; pet. suborbicular, slightly longer; lip suborbicular, undulate, 1 in. long, with 3, dividing into 5, ridges; spur ⅓ in. conical, curved.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Tuhami’s Zariba).
L. orthoplectrus Reichb. f.
Scape 2 ft. high; raceme lax many-flowered. Fl. brown, striped with purple. Sep. triangular; pet. elliptical, ab. ½ in.; lip 3-lobed, front lobe ligulate, 5-ridged; spur conical, straight, ab. ¼ in.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: north of Uzze River).
L. Wakefieldii Reichb. f. & S. Moore.
Leaves 4-5, about 12 in. long. Scapes 2-4 ft. long; raceme ab. 1 ft., laxly many-flowered; sep. ovate-oblong, ⅓ in. long, green; pet. broad-ovate, ¾ in. bright yellow; lip pandurate-oblong, ¾ in. long with 3-yellow ridges, spur conical, ab. ¼ in.
Mongalla Prov. (Bor to Gameiza).
806Tridactyle filifolia Schlechter.
Epiphyte on rocks or trees. Stems terete, jointed, rugose. Leaves very few, linear-acicular, acute, about 3½ in. long, glabrous. Flowers white, with a slender spur ¼ in. long.
Lado: Rocks at Asugi (Sillitoe 146).
807Angræcum kotschyanum Reichb. f.
Epiphyte, 3-6 leaved. Leaves distichous obovate-oblong 2-5 in. long. Racemes pendulous 9-15 in. long, many-flowered; sep. elliptic-lanceolate, ½-1 in.; petals slightly smaller; lip pandurate ½-1 in. long; spur curved 5-8 in. long.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli: near Kamamil); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
A. sp.
Epiphyte on Landolphia owariensis and other trees; roots very numerous, straw-coloured, up to about 8 in. long. Leaves oblanceolate, 6 in. long, with about 30 nerves. Flowers not seen.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Chak-Chak & W. of Pongo River).
808Corymbis corymbosa Thou.
Tall ground orchid; stem leafy. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, sheathing, 7-9 in. long. Panicles axillary; fl. large white; sep. and pet. narrow below, somewhat dilated above; lip erect, linear, channelled, apex recurved.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
809Nervilia Kotschyi Schlechter.
Terrestrial herb; rhizome tuberiferous. Leaves appearing after flowers, variable in shape. Fl. racemose; sep and pet. ligulate, greenish; lip white, oblong-flabellate, trifid at apex.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).
810Habenaria njamnjamica Kränzl.
Terrestrial herb. Leaves 3-4, oblong or lanceolate, ab. 1 in. long, sheathing. Racemes elongate 7 in. long; bracts ovate, longer than fl.; dorsal sep., oblong, ¼ in. long, lateral sep. deflexed; pet. bipartite, lobes linear-falcate; lip 3-partite, ⅓ in. long; spur inflated ⅓ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
H. armatissima Reichb. f.
Tuber large, over 1½ in. long; leaves 2, subopposite, basal ovate-orbicular, 3-4 in. long, 4-5 in. broad; bracts ovate, acuminate, ¾ in. long; flowers white.
H. Bongensium Reichb. f.
Ground orchid, growing in grass in moist places, 1 ft. high. Leaves 5-10, ovate-lanceolate, cauline, 1-2½ in. long. Scape 1 ft. high; raceme 6 in. dense; bracts lanceolate, ½ in.; dorsal sep. elliptic, lateral oblong 3-nerved; pet. 2-partite, one lobe very small; lip 3-partite, median lobe much longer; spur curved ab. ⅓ in.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, J. Ghattas).
H. Walleri Reichb. f.
Tall ground orchid with brilliant green foliage (Sillitoe), upper leaves oblong-linear reduced. Racemes with 4 large white fl. on 3-4 in. long pedicels; bracts ovate, ab. 1½ in. long; dorsal sep. ovate, hooded, ½ in. long, lateral elliptic-oblong, ¾ in.; pet. 2-partite; lip 3-lobed, side-lobes 1 in. long, front lobes shorter; spurs 3-4 in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
H. cirrhata Reichb. f.
Ground orchid with 2 in. long, oblong tuber and 3 in. stem. Leaves 4-5, suborbicular, 2-3 in. long. Racemes few-flowered; bracts oblong, 2 in. long; fl. large, white, vanilla-scented; dorsal sep. oblong, ½ in. lateral deflexed, ¾ in.; pet. 2-partite, posterior lobe linear, 1 in., anterior filiform, 3-4 in. long; lip 3-partite, lobes filiform, ab. 1 in. long; spur 5-8 in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, among bushes).
H. sp.
Herb, about 1 ft. high, with two suborbicular leaves at the base. Bracts large and membranous, about 1½ in. long, venose. Spurs very slender, about 4 in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River), Sillitoe 140.
811Brachycorythis hispidula Schltr.
Densely leafy, velvety ground orchid, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate decreasing from ab. 1 in. to lanceolate, ½-1 in. long bracts. Racemes 3-8 in. long; fl. dense white and purple; dorsal sep. elliptic-oblong, ¼ in., lateral broader, oblique; pet. ovate, ¼ in. long; lip 3-lobed ⅓ in. long, front lobe shorter, broadly triangular.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District: Asugi & Ngoi).
B. Schweinfurthii Reichb. f.
Leafy ground orchid, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves 2-3 in. long, imbricate, cuneate, ligulate. Infl. spicate or racemose, dense, 6 in. long; bracts linear-lanceolate, about as long as the purple flowers; dorsal sep. elliptic, lateral axe-shaped; pet. oblong, incurved; lip 3-lobed, side lobe semi-lunate, front lobe triangular, minute; spur obtuse-angled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: on Steppes).
B. grandis, var. sudanica Braid.
Erect herb, 2 ft. high; leafy from base. Leaves lanceolate, very acute, 2 in. long, ½ in. broad, 3-nerved, glabrous. Flowers pale pink. Spur very short.
Mongalla Prov. (Lado Dist.: Doka’s).
812Bonatea sudanensis Rolfe.
Cauline leaves sessile, elliptic-oblong, 2½-4½ in. long, 1¼ in. broad. Racemes 5-flowered; bracts 3 cm. long. Pedicel and ovary 2 in. long. Spur 4 in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
813Platycoryne crocea Rolfe.
Slender ground orchid, 1 ft. high. Leaves ab. 7, cauline, lanceolate, ab. 1 in. long. Racemes 3-4 flowered, short; bracts ovate-oblong, ¼-½ in.; fl. orange-buff; lateral sep. and petals ovate-oblong, 1/5 in. long; dorsal sep. ovate, hooded; lip 3-lobed, side lobes minute, front lobe 1/5 in.; spur over ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: south of the Lessi River).
PALMÆ.
814Phœnix dactylifera Linn. NAKHLA—Arab. The Date Palm.
Cultivated, especially in the Northern parts of the Sudan, for its fruit, which is called BALAH or TAMR by Arabs.
The timber is used for beams and posts; mats, fans, baskets and ropes are made from the leaves and crates and baskets from the petioles. The tree yields a gum which is considered a useful remedy for diarrhœa. A perfume is obtained by distillation, from the spathes. Date sugar can be obtained from the juice tapped from the stem, but at the expense of the fruit crop. (Male DAKAR, female NITAYA, green date DUFFEIG or ROTAB, leave stalk GEREIDAH, spathe AF, male flowers ARGUN, female ZABATA, seed NAWA)—Arab.
P. reclinata Jacq. KINGE—Zande.
Much like a small date palm; stems 3-5 ft. high; leaves 2-5 ft. long, midrib white-woolly underneath.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Genana & Jur Ghattas, near Tonj & Southern B. El Ghazal).
Fruit edible, leaves used for hats, mats, etc., and the trunk for building.
815Raphia Monbuttorum Drude. NAKHL EL FARAUN—Arab.
Acaulescent, or stem up to 5 ft. long, densely annulate; leaves in a terminal crown, large, pinnatisect. Infl. monœcious; spadices branched, large, pendulous, cylindrical, branches and branchlets compressed, the latter pectinately arranged; fl. solitary in cup-shaped bracts, male at base and fem. above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Okale).
The stalks of the leaves, oval in section and 2 in. by 1 in. thick, are used as carrying poles.
816Calamus Barteri Becc.
Climbing palm, up to 50 ft. high; stem ab. 1 in. thick. Leaves distant, equally pinnate, margins, midrib and nerves of leaflets spinosely hairy, sheaths also spiny. Spadix polygamous diœcious, branched, each branch bearing 30-40 fl.; bracteoles of male fl. with 2 wing-like keels.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Khor Tela).
C. sp.? PODO (the fruit)—Zande.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (South).
817Ancistrophyllum Schweinfurthii Mann & Wendl.
Climbing palm up to 60 ft. high. Leaves 12-14 ft. long, equally pinnate, midrib gradually tapering to a whip-like, sometimes spiny tendril, 5-6 ft. long; pet., sheaths and spaces between leaflets spinous. Fl. hermaphrodite.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Mansilli Brook).
818Borassus flabellifer Linn. var. æthiopum Warburg. DELEIB—Arab; GAGGIAM (the small tree) & DAGGĀT (full grown tree) (Dilling) GIĀT (J. Ghulfan) & MUNLI (J. Eliri)—Nuba; INJIR—Bari; TUK (Bahr El Jebel)—Dinka & Jur; DALANZE—Golo; NURR—Nuer; OKWA—Zande.
Tall, erect, usually unbranched palm, up to 60-70 ft. high; stem robust annulate, thickened above the middle. Leaves fan-shaped, broader than long, in a terminal crown. Infl. diœcious. Drupe obscurely 3-angled, smooth, orange-coloured, with a fibrous epicarp.
Southern Sudan.
Almost every part of this palm is put to some use. The fibres from the leaves and leaf-stalks are used for rope making; the leaves for thatching; the pericarp of the fruit is edible, and the kernel itself is eaten when young. The wood is heavy, hard and durable, and is useful for building, canoes, water-pipes, etc. From the unopen spathes a sap is drawn which when fresh is sweet and when boiled down yields Date Sugar or Jaggery, it quickly ferments, and gives a raw spirit called toddy. The root tip as it emerges from the germinating seed is eaten as a vegetable.
819Hyphæne thebaica Mart. DOM—Arab; ANDO (J. Daier), KARIAI (J. Eliri) & AMURTE (J. Ghulfan)—Nuba; GORA—Hameg; KEIR & TUNUSHO—Bari; NIAT (Kaka) & TAAM—Dinka; DAYA & LEL—Nuer; KAYU—Shilluk; TAANG—Burun. The Dom Palm.