Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
CAPPARIDACEÆ.
30Cleome chrysantha Dec. SAFEIRA, ASIN (Dongola)—Arab.
Herb, up to 18 in. high. Leaves simple, oblong to rotundate-ovate. Flowers in axils of upper leaves; stamens 10-14. Capsule oval-oblong, about ¼ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.); Halfa Prov.; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Berber Desert & Wadi Aros).
C. scaposa DC.
Hispid herb; flowers small. Leaves simple ovate to orbicular or cordate. Stamens 6. Capsule linear, up to 1½ in. long. Seeds minutely pitted.
Nubia (between Suakin & Berber at Wadi Omarig); Red Sea Prov. (sea coast 22° Lat. N., J. Waratab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Khartoum Prov. (J. Royan).
C. monophylla Linn. LISAN EL TEIR (Meshra El Zeraf—Arab; AKIA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Erect herb, up to 2 ft. high. Flowers deep violet; pod on short gynophore, linear, cylindrical, straight. Leaves simple, lanceolate. Stamens 6.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza and J. Kurbaj); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé); Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
C. arabica Linn.
Erect scabrous herb; leaves 3-foliolate. Racemes leafy; stamens 5-6. Capsule linear-oval, pendulous.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov.; throughout Libya and the Sudan.
C. tenella Linn. f.
Glabrous herb, 1-2 ft. high; leaves 3-fol., leaflets filiform. Stamens 6.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov.
C. brachycarpa Vahl. ABULIKEITA (N. Kordn.)—Arab; BERBA’A (Port Sudan), & BERBERAN—Hadendowa.
Low herb, 4-8 in. high; leaves 1-5 fol. Stamens 6 (one sometimes imperfect). Capsule elliptical, about ¼ in. long.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.: at Ras Renai, near Saltpans); Kordofan Prov. (at Helba & Hadfia).
C. viscosa Linn. RIHAN (Meshra El Zeraf), KOWAL (Blue Nile)—Arab.
Glandular pubescent herb, 1-2 ft. high; leaves 3-5 fol. Flowers yellow. Pod without gynophore, linear, cylindrical.
Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Darfur Prov. (Barkin)
The seeds are used for removing impurities from the eyes. (Similar to No. 37 below.)
C. polyanthera Schwfth. & Gilg.
A slender branched herb with digitate leaves and 3 linear leaflets. Flowers pink or white in lax racemes on very slender pedicels. Fruits linear, stipitate, 2 in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land, Jur-land: Gir and between Agada & Kutshuk Ali).
C. niamniamensis Schwfth. & Gilg.
Similar to above but dwarfer. Flowers subsolitary and fruits only ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Gumango Hills on gneiss).
C. paradoxa R. Br. NA’ANAA & MUFRAK EL ROWAIR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Erect shrubby plant, 2-3 ft. high; leaves 3-6 fol.; corolla bright yellow or rose. Capsule linear, 4 in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat & 21° N. Lat.); Kassala Prov. (J. Erimbat, Goz Regeb); Between Suakin & Berber; Kordofan Prov.
C. diandra Burch.
Glabrous or thin-glandular herb; leaves 3, 5 or 7 fol.; leaflets narrow. Perfect stamens 2. Capsule narrow linear, 2-3 in. long.
Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
C. Hanburyana Penzig.
A rank herb; stems covered with gland-tipped hairs; leaflets 5, glabrescent, gradually changing into bracts: flowers pink, racemose-corymbose. Fruits 3½ in. long, glandular-puberulous.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).
C. cf. C. Hanburyana Penzig.
Similar to above but much more pubescent.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).
31Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. TAMALEIKA—Arab; AKAKI—Dinka; KURE—Zande.
Erect herb; leaves 5-fol.; flowers white or purplish; stamens long, inserted on the gynophore. Pod linear, slightly curved, 2-3 in. long.
Berber, Bahr el Ghazal, Khartoum, Kassala, Red Sea, Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.
The seeds are anthelmintic, and together with the leaves, are used in native medicine. The plant is also eaten as a vegetable.
32Dipterygium glaucum Dec. SAFEIRA—Arab; WAKERIS-HAQ—Hadendowa; ZEIBUG—Rashida.
Shrubby herb. Leaves small, oblong or ovate; capsule elliptical, with a membranous wing, 1-seeded, strongly reticulate.
Nubia; Berber Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber; Kassala Prov.
A camel fodder plant.
33Cratæva Adansonii DC. DABKAR & UM BUKHEISA—Arab; KLIEH (J. Eliri) & BURURU (Kadugli)—Nuba; TIFTA—Bari; BIUT (Renk), KAI (Kaka), KAT, KAIT, KIT or KOG (Mongalla)—Dinka; ABUDEH—Shilluk; AGAILI—Hameg; KÄICH—Nuer.
Small to large tree. Leaves 3-fol.; flowers white, scented, with long purple stamens. Fruit a globose berry, about 2 in. in diameter, on thickened gynophore.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Birket Kolli); Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Arab; Generally distributed south of Lat. 14° N.
The fruit is edible; the bark and the leaves are used medicinally. The tree occasionally attains a large size, e.g., Jonglay, Atem River. The wood is moderately hard, even grained, but not very durable. The medullary rays are thin and very numerous, the pores being uniform, rather small, arranged in short lines and curves.
34Capparis spinosa Linn. LASSAF—Arab.
Trailing shrub. Leaves coriaceous, rotundate; stipular spines recurved or nearly straight. Flowers 1-3 in. across, axillary, solitary or in loose lateral racemes, white. Frui. oval, oblong, on a strong gynophore.
Kordofan Prov.
The buds furnish the edible capers of commerce.
C. galeata Fres. LASAF—Arab.
Spinose trailing shrub. Leaves ovate to rotundate with curved mucro. Flowers large axillary, solitary. Fruit clavate-pyriform 3-4 in. long on a stalk up to 2 in. long.
Nubia: Red Sea Prov. (J. Hotarber, 22° N. Lat. & 21° N. Lat., and near Sinkat, from sea level to 4,000 ft.).
C. tomentosa Lam. HEKKABIT, MURDU, SHAROBA, or GULUM—Arab; KUBDI (Dilling)—Nuba; LULUMEH—Bari; BAN or ABBAN, BORID (Kaka & Kenissa)—Dinka; BUT—Shilluk; UNGONO—Jur; MANGAMANGA—Golo.
Scandent prickly shrub with velvety elliptical leaves. Flowers white with indefinite pink stamens, solitary and axillary or in terminal racemes or corymbs.
Widely distributed south of Lat. 15° N. and in the Red Sea Prov.
The shrub is stated to be poisonous to camels.
C. persicifolia A. Rich.
Scandent prickly shrub; prickles paired on each side of the petiole. Leaves oblong-elliptic, about 2 in. long, obtuse, nearly glabrous; pedicels 1 in. long. Fruit ellipsoid, 1 in. long, stipitate.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: near the Gash River); Berber Prov. (Atbara, left bank); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: by the River Rohl, & Niamniam-land: by the River Ibba).
C. micrantha A. Rich.
Prickly, straggling shrub. Flowers small, white, sub-corymbose. Leaves oblong-lanceolate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek, Shambé); Mongalla Prov. (at 4° 54″ N. Lat.).
C. corymbosa Lam.
Prickly, scrambling shrub. Leaves ovate or elliptical. Flowers in lateral or terminal corymbs or fascicles.
Fung Prov. (Saoleil, etc.); White Nile Prov. (El Dueim); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling).
C. djurica Gilg & Ben.
Shrub with densely pilose branches. Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, about 1¼ in. long and about ½ in. broad, emarginate. Flowers in rather dense racemes. Sepals glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
C. jodotricha Gilg & Ben.
Climbing shrub; young branches tomentose; spines large, recurved. Leaves ovate, 2 in. long, 1¼ in. broad, at first densely pilose, at length glabrous. Flowers in fascicles, crowded. Sepals tomentose outside.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).
C. Rothii Oliv. MURDU (Baggara), & SH’AIBEIT (Fung)—Arab; MUARTA (Dilling)—Nuba; RIADI—Bari; RIAT (Bor)—Dinka.
Thorny climber or small tree. Leaves elliptic-oblong, often emarginate. Flowers white, in axillary fascicles, up to 6 flowers. Fruit globose, somewhat pointed, about 1 in. across, turning red when ripe.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok, Renk, Melut); Mongalla Prov.
C. erythrocarpa Isert.
Thorny climber. Fruit scarlet, hexagonal, about size of a walnut. Leaves elliptical, obtuse. Flowers axillary, solitary, 2 in. across.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Kuddu, Bongo-land: Baiko).
C. aphylla Roth.
C. decidua Pax. TUNDUB—Arab; SAROP—Hadendowa; KAMRE (J. Daier), & SHIMEIL (Dilling)—Nuba; NANGOT—Shilluk.
Shrub or small tree, spiny and generally leafless. Flowers pink; fruit size of a small cherry.
Widely distributed north of Lat. 13° N., also occurs in Bahr El Ghazal Prov.
The fruit (Arabic, HUNBUG) is edible, the plant is considered useful for boils, eruptions, swelling and affections of the joints.
35Boscia octandra Hochst. MOKHEIT & UMKHEIT (Darfur)—Arab; FOG (Renk)—Dinka; ATOKA—Golo; DEB (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer; ARAY—Jur.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves more or less oval, thick and dark coloured; flowers sub-umbellate or racemose, sweet scented. Fruit globose under ½ in. diameter. Stamens 8-20. Widely distributed south of Lat. 16° N.
The fruit, called KURSAN by Arabs, is edible; an emulsion of the leaves is used as an eyewash.
B. angustifolia A. Rich. TIRLING (J. Daier)—Nuba.
Tree or shrub. Flowers greenish, fragrant. Leaves coriaceous, narrow, lanceolate, oblong or obovate. Fruit globose, under ½ in. diameter. Stamens 6-9.
Kordofan Prov.; Whole Sudan through Kordofan.
B. firma Rad.
Woody shrub with crowded fasciculate, narrowly oblong elliptic leaves, 1½ in. long, ½ in. broad, very strongly reticulate below. Racemes very short. Fruits sub-globose, very small.
Fung & Kordofan Provinces.
B. salicifolia Oliv. SAHAI (Kordn.), TILEITILLA (N. Kordn.), KARAUERAU (Baggara), & SESIFAN (Fung)—Arab; KOLWAKAI (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Shrub or a straight, graceful tree. Leaves elongate-linear or lanceolate, 2-5 in. long. Flowers in axillary racemes; stamens 6-14. Fruit ellipsoid-globose, ¾ in. long, shortly stipitate.
Fung, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.
36Courbonia virgata A. Brongn. KARKADAN (Mongalla), KURDAN (Baggara)—Arab; DAYA—Bari; ABRO—Golo.
Glabrous, glaucous shrub or undershrub, with leafy, virgate branches; flowers axillary, solitary; petals 0. Leaves glaucous, elliptical to ovate. Fruit globose, about 1 in. diameter.
Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov.; Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.
The ashes of leaves and stem are used as a substitute for salt. Fruit edible.
C. decumbens A. Brongn.
Bush. Leaves glaucous, ovate, faintly 3-nerved, 1¼ in. long, mucronate. Flowers axillary, solitary. Fruit sub-globose, 1¼ in. long, beaked.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi Plains).
37Cadaba glandulosa Forsk. IRKIS (White Nile), KURMUT SOGHEIR—Arab.
Undershrub. Leaves small, round, closely packed on the branches. Racemes terminal, few-flowered. Petals none; petaloid appendix ligulate. Stamens 5. Fruit oblong, ½ in. long, on a gynophore.
Red Sea Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
C. rotundifolia Forsk. KURMUT, or rarely ADDIMIR (Blue Nile)—Arab; YAM—Hadendowa; KOG (Renk)—Dinka.
Shrub. Leaves orbicular. Flowers in terminal racemes. Sepals 2; petals, 2 green and a yellow tubular nectary; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled.
Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Upper White Nile Prov.
The plant is said to be a powerful purgative.
C. farinosa Forsk. SURREIH or SURRAYA (Fung)—Arab; NIADA—Bari; BUT (Renk), & ANEIT or NEIT (Mongalla Prov.)—Dinka.
Undershrub or scrambling climber. Fruit slightly torulose; seeds covered by bright orange inner membrane of capsule. Leaves oval-oblong, apiculate, mostly in fascicles. Flowers greenish; sepals 4; petals 4; stamens 5; ovary 1-celled.
Red Sea, Kassala, Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Upper White Nile & Darfur Provinces.
C. longifolia DC.
Glabrous shrub, or extremities mealy. Leaves linear-oblong or lanceolate. Flowers in terminal corymbs; petals 4; appendix linear-lanceolate, as long as sepals; stamens 4.
Red Sea Coast; North of Kassala.
38Maerua jasminifolia Gilg & Ben. BUDU—Bari.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves 3-fol., fruit globose.
Mongalla Prov. (Sheikh Tombé).
M. variifolia Gilg. & Ben.
Shrub; branchlets softly pubescent. Leaves elliptic, mucronate, 1½ in. long, slightly pubescent. Flowers sub-corymbose; pedicels ¾ in. long; petals small with crinkled margins. Fruits torulose, about 1 in. long.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Mongalla Prov.
M. crassifolia Forsk. SAREH, SARHA or SURRAKH (Berber), KOWOGE (Baggara)—Arab; KAMOP (Port Sudan)—Hadendowa; TUMBU (Kadugli)—Nuba.
Stiff tree or shrub with spinose branches. Leaves small, up to ¾ in. long, obovate to linear-oval. Flowers axillary, 1-3 together; petals 0; stamens indefinite. Fruit torulose.
Red Sea Prov. (from sea level to 4,000 ft.); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bara & Abu Gamaiz); Darfur Prov.
M. aethiopica Oliv. BAK BELE—Golo.
Erect, virgate shrub. Leaves oblong to elliptical. Flowers corymbose; petals 4, rotundate; stamens indefinite. Fruit coriaceous, subglobose.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Kutshuk Ali, Jur Ghattas & Jur Aweit, Bongo-land, Gir).
M. angolensis DC. MARI (Khasa, Red Sea Prov.), RAU ER AU (Kordofan at Birket), SHAGAR EL ZERAF (Kordn.), & SHAGAR EL DUD (Fung)—Arab; DOGHING (J. Daier)—Nuba; SHALEIB (Erkowit)—Hadendowa; AFIAT (Renk)—Dinka; TIIT (Ghabat El Arab)—Nuer.
Small tree. Flowers white. Fruit moniliform. Leaves lanceolate to obovate.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Has Has); Kassala Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein & near Nyemati); Upper White Nile Prov. (Ghurab El Eish, near Melut, Um Songur, etc.); Kordofan (El Birkat); Darfur (Jebel Marra, Kallokitting 4,000 ft.).
Wood yellowish, heavy, hard and fine grained, but brittle; takes a good polish.
M. dolichobotrya Gilg & Ben.
Woody shrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, about 2 in. long, ⅓ in. broad, glabrous. Flowers in elongated leafy racemes. Petals shortly clawed, rather thick.
White Nile Prov.
M. oblongifolia A. Rich. ERG EL MEHABBA (White Nile), ASS’AIB (Atbara), SURREIH (Fung), ABU TAMARA (C. Kordn.), ALAG & SIRH (Khartoum)—Arab; KAFITO & NIETEH—Bari; BUN—Burun; ANEIT (Goz el Siada)—Dinka.
Straggling shrub. Leaves linear-oblong, calyx pale green, 4 sepals; petals 4, whitish green, stamens indefinite; gynophore white. Fruit about 1 in. long, very torulose or moniliform.
Red Sea Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber (J. Langeb); Berber Prov. (Atbara); Khartoum & White Nile Provinces; Most parts of the Sudan south of Khartoum.
Fruit edible.
MORINGACEÆ.
39Moringa aptera Gaertn. MAI—Arab.
Moderate to small-sized tree with whip-like branches and scanty, minute leaves. Flowers pink. Fruit capsules ridged, about 1 ft. long; seeds not winged.
Red Sea Prov. (rare).
M. pterygosperma Gaertn.
Small tree with corky bark. Leaves usually tripinnate. Flowers strongly scented; petals white with yellow dots at base. Pods up to 13 in. long, slender, 9-ribbed. Seeds winged.
Introduced from India. Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bareis); Darfur Prov., etc.
The seeds yield the Ben Oil.
CRUCIFERÆ.
40Matthiola elliptica R. Br.
Herb with a white flower, like a small Stock. Leaves petiolate, elliptic, hoary; pod siliquose, rather thick.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Ashat, and 21° N. from sea level to 3-4,000 ft.); White Nile Prov.
M. sp.
Hoary herb with subsessile, lanceolate toothed leaves, about 1 in. long; hairs stellate. Pods subsessile, very hairy.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib).
41Nasturtium indicum Linn. FIKKI (Darfur)—Arab.
Glabrous branching herb. Leaves sessile, lyrate-pinnatifid, auricled. Flowers yellow, small in lax racemes. Siliqua nearly ¾ in., cylindrical.
Dongola Prov. (Argo Island); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.
42Morettia Philæana DC. TAGHAL (Atbara), SAGGAR—Arab.
Stiff, erect, hispid herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, hoary or hispid. Petals slightly longer than the very hairy sepals. Fruits strongly curved, ⅓ in. long.
Wadi Halfa; Berber Prov. (Atbara, Murat); Dongola Prov. (Omdi); Kordofan Prov. (Maties).
Good camel fodder.
M. canescens Boiss.
A stiff herb covered with whitish stellate hairs. Leaves elliptic, subacute, petiolate. Fruits ribbed, slightly curved, ½ in. long, stellate-pubescent.
Near Wadi Halfa.
43Anastatica Hierochuntica Linn.
Woody herb. Fruit short, with a round auricle on each side of the apex.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.).
The common Rose of Jericho of the Mediterranean.
44Farsetia ægyptiaca Turr. DAHAIAN (Atbara), GHARBA—Arab.
Shrubby; flowers white; siliquas small, oval. Leaves linear, hoary.
Nubia; Between Goz Regeb & Kassala; Red Sea Prov. (near Karora).
F. longisiliqua Dec. DAKHEYAN (N. Kordn.), & DAHAIAN (C. Kordn.)—Arab.
Hoary undershrub. Leaves narrow-linear. Flowers in spicate racemes, rather distant. Siliqua linear, slightly curved, hoary, 1 in. long.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (J. Kurbaj); Darfur Prov. (Kulme, & Sherif Kabbashi); Red Sea Prov. (near Karora).
F. grandiflora Fourn. UMHABEIBA (White Nile)—Arab.
Slender, erect, pale annual. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 1-3 in. long. Siliqua linear 1-2 in. long.
White Nile & Upper White Nile Provinces (Hillet Abbas to Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.
F. ramosissima Hochst.
Branching herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate. Flowers densely spicate. Siliqua short.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., up to 4,000 ft.); Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Khursi); Darfur Prov. (Plains below J. Marra, 3,000 ft.).
45Sisymbrium erysimoides Desf.
Herb, 1-3 ft. high. Upper leaves lyrate pinnatisect. Siliquas divergent, rigid, linear-subulate.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 4,000 ft.).
46Diplotaxis erucoides DC.
Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Lower leaves lyrate-pinnatifid or obovate-toothed. Flowers white or purplish on ebracteate racemes. Siliqua 1 in. long, ascending. Seeds biseriate.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Karora).
47Eruca sativa Lam. GARGUIR (Egypt)—Arab.
Erect branching herb. Leaves lyrate to oblanceolate, more or less deeply toothed. Flowers white or yellow on ebracteate racemes. Siliqua linear-oblong, turgid erect, beaked. Seeds biseriate.
Nubia cultivated.
The seeds yield an oil similar to Colza. The leaves are used as a salad, and are also fed to cattle.
48Schouwia arabica DC. MAHAD, NAMNAM (Egypt)—Arab.
Tall shrubby herb with ovate amplexicaul leaves and purple flowers. Siliqua elliptical, about ¾ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gash Valley).
49Lepidium sativum Linn. Common Cress.
Glabrous annual. Leaves entire to pinnatisect. Flowers white. Siliqua obovate to nearly rotundate, emarginate.
Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.
The young plants are eaten. The seeds yield an oil; they are also used in dysentery and diarrhœa.
50Senebiera nilotica DC. RASHAD (Port Sudan), HARRA—Arab.
Riverside herb with small white flowers. Radical leaves linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate pinnatisect. Silicules cordate-reniform.
North Sudan; Banks of the Nile; Red Sea. Prov.
51Enarthrocarpus lyratus DC. RESHAD EL BAHR, SHILTEM, SHIRTEM, & SHILTAM—Arab.
Herb; flowers yellow, streaked with purple. Radical leaves lyrate-pinnatifid. Siliquas nodulose, obtusely acuminate.
Dongola Prov. (from Egypt).
E. pterocarpus DC.
Herb, scabrid below. Leaves lyrate-pinnatifid. Siliquas erect, linear-acuminate, with winged scabrid margins.
Nubia.
52Zilla myagroides Forsk. var. microcarpa Oliv.
Shrubby, spiny herb, the spines terminating the branches. Flowers white or violet, solitary or racemose, silicules ovoid, beaked.
Red Sea Prov., & Nubia.
53Raphanus sativus Linn. FIGL—Arab. Horse Radish.
Radical leaves lyrate. Flowers white, yellow or lilac. Siliqua 1-2 in. long, terete, beaked.
Cultivated everywhere.
The seeds, which yield an oil, are used in native medicine for their diuretic and laxative properties. The seed pods as well as the roots are eaten.
VIOLACEÆ.
54Viola nubica Hutchinson, n. sp.
Small annual, 4 in. high. Leaves long-petiolate, spathulate-lanceolate, acute, 1¼ in. long, nearly ½ in. broad, very thin, subentire, glabrous; stipules subulate-filiform, entire, 2-lin. long; sepals broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate; petals ⅓ in. long; spur short and blunt. Capsule ¼ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).
55Hybanthus enneaspermus Muell.—Ionidium enneaspermum Vent.
Erect or decumbent, much-branched herb, up to 2 ft. high. Flowers blue, purple or dull red, solitary, axillary.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
56Rinorea ilicifolia O. Ktze.—Alsodeia ilicifolia Welw.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves strongly spinulose-serrate, coriaceous shining above, 6-9 in. long. Flowers yellow, in narrow terminal, racemose panicles. Capsule 3-valved, coriaceous.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
R. oblongifolia Marq.
Large tree, buttressed at the foot. Flowers waxy-yellow, in terminal, many-flowered corymbose or pyramidal panicles. Leaves oblanceolate or obovate-oblong, 4-8 in. long. Petals contorted.
Niamniam-land (Mbrwole, near the Yuru River & by the Diagbe River).
RESEDACEÆ.
57Caylusea canescens St. Hil. MUDDEYD & DENABA—Arab.
Diffuse or ascending herb, more or less pilose. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, undulate. Flowers small, in terminal bracteate racemes.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Khor Tamanib & J. Shellal, 22° N. Lat.).
C. abyssinica Fisch. & Mey.
Erect herb, up to 3 ft. high, glabrous or thinly scabrid near the extremities. Leaves entire or 3-partite, linear-lanceolate or linear. Flowers small, numerous on terminal, spike-like racemes up to 1 ft. and more long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 4,000 ft.).
58Reseda pruinosa Del.
Erect or ascending herb, 1 ft. or more high. Leaves entire or trifid, narrow-lanceolate or oval. Flowers in terminal, bracteate racemes.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 3-4,000 ft.).
59Oligomeris glaucescens Camb.
Erect or decumbent herb, usually glabrous and glaucous. Leaves entire, linear, fasciculate or scattered. Flowers small in loose, elongate terminal spikes.
Red Sea, Dongola & Kordofan Provinces.
60Ochradenus baccatus Del. GURDI—Arab.
Much branched shrub, with virgate branches, which are often spinescent and at length leafless. Leaves narrow linear. Flowers small, spicate. Berries white.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (North); Darfur (Jebel Meidob and Kulme).
POLYGALACEÆ.
61Polygala persicariæfolia DC.
Erect or decumbent annual. Leaves oval or lanceolate, acute. Flowers in extra-axillary or terminal racemes. Wing sepals rotundate-ovate, 3-5 nerved; lateral petals semi-hastate or hooked at the base.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
Wing sepals elliptic and not rounded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Addai: Bongo-land).
Leaves broader, wing sepals less orbicular than in the type.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
P. abyssinica Fres.
Annual or perennial, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves linear or oval, apiculate. Flowers secund on terminal racemes. Wing sepals ovate to obovate, 3-nerved.
Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 7,000 ft. and over, and plains 20-80 m. N.E. of El Fasher).
P. liniflora Bojer ex Chod.
Branches elongated, erect, grass-like, glabrous. Leaves narrowly linear, slightly decurrent. Racemes terminal, lax-flowered. Wing sepals elliptic, clawed, with few nerves.
Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra).
P. erioptera DC. HEBEIBU (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab, ANYAIN or LAKSHUA’I (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear or oblong, obtuse. Flowers fascicled or on racemes much shorter than leaves. Wing-sepals oval or obliquely elliptic with 1 broad median nerve.
Red Sea Prov. (Soturba & between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (J. Moya); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
var. canescens Chod.
Stems and leaves with grey, dense hairs.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kordofan Prov.
var. maxima Chod.
Stems and leaves at length glabrous.
Khartoum Prov. (near Khartoum).
P. arenaria Willd, forma depressa.
Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear to obovate-elliptical obtuse. Flowers in dense strobiliform heads. Wing-sepals variable, oval to ovate-rotundate, often oblique, nerves faint.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
P. irregularis Boiss.
Low spreading, wiry plant. Leaves oblanceolate obtuse or retuse. Flowers in loose terminal racemes. Wing-sepals broad-ovate with 3 main nerves.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Taiara, Abu Gerad).
P. acicularis Oliv.
Glabrous shrub. Leaves narrow-linear to acicular. Flowers in erect terminal racemes or racemes on rigid lateral branchlets. Wing-sepals obovate-oblong, faintly nerved, deciduous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
P. senensis Klotzsch.
Wiry herb or undershrub. Leaves oblanceolate, obtuse. Flowers in very short lateral racemes or axillary fascicles. Wing-sepals broadly ovate with numerous looping nerves.
Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat).
62Securidaca longipedunculata Fresen. SAGGAT—Arab.
Branched shrub, 8-10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, linear-lanceolate to ovate oblong, 1-2 in. long. Flowers rose or purple or violet or variegated with white, racemose. Fruit a 1-winged samara.
Fung Prov. (Famaka); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
CRASSULACEÆ.
63Tillæa pentandra Royle.
Small herb with opposite, fleshy cylindrical subulate leaves, connate at base. Flowers small, white, solitary, or 2-3 together, axillary. Fruit of 4-5 free carpels.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 9,000 ft.).
64Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb.
Shrubby herb, 2-4 ft. high, with barren and purple-spotted flowering stems. Leaves opposite, fleshy, crenate, either simple, ovate-orbicular or unequally pinnate with ovate segments. Flowers up to 2 in. long, pendulous, in paniculate cymes; calyx inflated, striped purple; cor. reddish-purple; stamens 8, in 2 rows. Fruit of 4 follicles.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
65Kalanchoe crenata Haw. HARFIFOIT—Hadendowa.
Tall perennial herb with opposite fleshy, crenate leaves and yellow flowers.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, foot of Has Has).
66Umbilicus botryoides Hochst.
Small herb with perennial root-stock. Lower leaves orbicular, loosely crenate, peltate. Flowering stems usually about 6 in. long bearing a simple or somewhat branched raceme of pale pendulous flowers.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Abwo, 9,600 ft.).
67Sempervivum molle Vis.
Softly hairy, fleshy herb. Leaves alternate, fleshy, oval-rhomboid, red-spotted beneath. Flowers cymose, white or yellow.
Nubia.
SAXIFRAGACEÆ.
68Vahlia viscosa Roxb. SAFEIRA EL BAHR (Atbara), WADE (Halfa)—Arab; TELGIN—Hadendowa; TEIMER—Rashida.
Prostrate, glandular, pilose herb, with ovate-oblong, opposite leaves and yellow flowers. Calyx 5-lobed; corolla 5 petals; anthers 5; style deeply bifid; ovary inferior.
River banks; Wadi Halfa; Berber Prov. (Atbara & Berber); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.
V. oldenlandioides Roxb.
Glandular or pubescent herb with opposite linear leaves. Flowers small, numerous; calyx tube adnate to ovary, segments 5, short, triangular; petals 5, epigynous; ovary inferior; capsule sub-globose, small.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
NOTE.—These two species of Vahlia are often mistaken for species of Oldenlandia in Rubiaceæ, but are at once distinguished by the free petals and absence of stipules.
DROSERACEÆ.
69Drosera indica Linn.
Small herb. Leaves alternate, linear, the lower half glabrous, the upper part heavily fringed with gland-tipped tentacles. Flowers white; styles 3.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Gumango).
PODOSTEMONACEÆ.
70Tristicha hypnoides Spreng.
Small moss-like herb, attached to boulders in streams or rivers. Leaves very minute. Flowers solitary, terminal, on peduncles, ¾ in. long in fruit; per. segments 3; st. 1; styles 2-3; caps. ellipsoid.
South Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau & Biri River, Mittu-land: Woko River near Kero).
ELATINACEÆ.
71Bergia verticillata Willd.
Glabrous procumbent herb, about 1 ft. high, aquatic; stems succulent, pink. Leaves nearly sessile, lanceolate, tapering at both ends, 1 to 1½ in. long, opposite, stipulate. Flowers crowded in axillary, sub-verticillate fascicles; stamens 10.
Kordofan Prov.
B. suffruticosa Fenzl. MIRMID or MIREMIT (Khartoum), RIMITH—Arab; OKRIT—Hadendowa; SITA—Rashida.
Deep rooted, heather-like undershrub, rooting again where branches touch the ground. Bark deciduous in papery rust-coloured flakes.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
B. ammanoides Roth. RIMÏTH (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Herb under 1 ft. high. Leaves oblanceolate, pilose. Flowers in dense axillary, sub-verticillate fascicles; stamens 3.
Kordofan Prov.
CARYOPHYLLACEÆ.
72Silene Macrosolen Steud.
Somewhat viscid perennial, branching from the base. Flowers pinkish in forking panicles. Calyx 5-toothed, narrow tubular, up to 1½ in. long, teeth short; petals much exserted, 5. Carpophore much longer than capsule; styles 3.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500-9,300 ft.).
73Cerastium vulgatum Linn.
Downy, somewhat viscid annual, branching at the base. Stem leaves sessile, oblong to ovate. Flowers white in terminal cymes. Petals shorter or hardly longer than sepals; styles 5; sepals free.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8,600 ft.).
74Arenaria Schimperi Hochst.
Procumbent diffuse perennial. Leaves subulate, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers in loose forking cymes, white; sepals 5, free, 3-nerved; petals 5, equal to sepals; styles 3; capsule 3-valved.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, above 9,000 ft.).
75Spergula arvensis Linn.
Slender herbs. Leaves linear, in opposite clusters, appearing whorled. Flowers small, white, in terminal forked cymes; stamens 5 or 10; styles 5.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.).
76Polycarpon memphiticum Fenzl.
A diffuse, densely pubescent herb. Leaves petiolate, and spathulate-oblanceolate, covered with stellate hairs. Stipules scarious. Flowers small, crowded in leafy cymes, otherwise as in the next species.
Berber Prov. (Banks of the Nile between Khartoum and Shendi).
P. Lœflingii Benth. & Hook. f.
A diffuse, prostrate or ascending, wiry, glabrous herb. Leaves sessile, linear or linear-spathulate, glabrous. Flowers small, in dichotomous cymes; sepals 5, with white, scarious edges; petals small, linear; stamens 3-5; style 3-fid.
Khartoum Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Wau & Mittu-land: Mvolo, & Bongo-land: Addai); Blue Nile Prov. (near Wad Medani).
77Polycarpæa corymbosa Lam.
Herb, 2-12 in. high, with a somewhat amarantaceous appearance. Leaves linear, sessile. Flowers numerous, small, crowded in dense cymes, forming large flat-topped heads; bracts scarious, silvery, bristle-pointed.
Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
Said to be a remedy for snake-bite.
P. eriantha Hochst.
Diffuse, slender herb, with numerous flowers in lax cymes, spreading all over the plant. Sepals loosely pubescent. Leaves linear, about ½ in. long, with fine setose points.
Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Mongalla Prov., Bongo-land (Gir).
P. spicata Arnott.
Small herb; leaves obovate or oblanceolate-spathulate, rosulate; flower-heads densely fascicled; sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, scarious; petals 5, shorter than sepals; stamens 5.
Red Sea Prov.: Lat. 21° N.
P. fragilis Del.
Small herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate, hoary, margins revolute. Flowers in small, densely fascicled cymes; sepals ovate-elliptic, with membranous margin, longer than petals.
Red Sea Prov.: from sea level to 4,000 ft., Lat. 21° N.
P. linearifolia DC.
Erect or decumbent herb. Leaves narrow-linear or linear-subulate. Flowers in terminal, rounded or lax, silvery, many flowered cymes. Sepals scarious acute, ⅓ to ⅔ longer than petals.
Blue Nile Prov.: White Nile Prov. (South of Lat. 14° N.): Kordofan Prov. (Hillet Nu & El Obeid); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Aweit).
P. stellata DC.
Erect or diffuse herb. Leaves linear, with axillary tufts. Flowers in small capitate, divaricate cymes; sepals very acute, much longer than the petals.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
P. prostrata Dec. HAR, HARA & REYKHA—Arab.
Prostrate herb. Leaves linear-spathulate. Flowers solitary from the forks. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, with broad membranous margin, hardly longer than petals.
Nubia; Northern Sudan.
78Sphærocoma Hookeri T. Anders.
Undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Branchlets glabrous. Flower heads dense, globose, spinescent. Leaves fleshy, terete, fascicled.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (J. Hotarba: Soturba Range, Lat. 22° N.).
S. Aucheri Boiss.
Leaves shorter than those of last-named. Branchlets pubescent.
Red Sea Prov.; 21° N. Lat.
MOLLUGINACEÆ.
79Orygia decumbens Forsk.
Decumbent herb, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves obovate or rotundate, cuneate, fleshy, ½-1 in. broad, alternate, glaucous. Sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 12 or more; styles 5; capsules 5-valved.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, between hills & Sinkat); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
80Mollugo Cerviana Seringe.
Annual; stems erect, slender; branches umbellate. Leaves verticillate-linear, about ½ in. long. Flowers numerous on long filiform, axillary and terminal peduncles. Seeds smooth.
Kordofan & Darfur Provinces, Uganda (Nile Province).
Used as medicine for fevers.
M. Spergula Linn.
Diffused decumbent herb. Leaves fleshy, 3-9 in verticils, oval to lanceolate, 1 in. long. Flowers fascicled; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5-10; capsule 3-valved.
Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Hoo River); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
Used medicinally it is stomachic, aperient and antiseptic.
M. nudicaulis Lam.
Annual. Leaves radical, crowded, spathulate, entire, glabrous, about 1½ in. long. Flower stems erect, 4-6 in. long, leafless, trichotomously branched. Flowers white in lax trichotomous cymes.
Nubia; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
81Glinus lotoides Loefl. RABA’A (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GETAKI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Annual, with stellate hairs, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves rotundate to oblanceolate, 1 in. long, radical and pseudo-verticillate. Flowers in axillary fascicles; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5 to many; stigmas 2-5. Seeds verrucose.
Berber Prov. (Shendi); Kartoum Prov. (Khartoum); Blue Nile Prov. (Dried pools); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The plant is said to be a purgative. The tender shoots are eaten.
82Gisekia pharnaceodes Linn.
Prostrate or ascending, somewhat succulent annual. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, oblong-spathulate. Flowers small, in axillary clusters; petals none; carpels 5, distinct, surrounded by sepals.
Red Sea Prov. (littoral); Berber Prov. (Obak); Khartoum, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
Said to be a useful medicine for tapeworm.
G. rubella Hochst. SHA’ERET EL BAHAYAM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
Much like above but cymes in lax diffuse panicles.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambe).
83Semonvillea pterocarpa J. Gay.
Erect, branched herb, glaucous, 1-2½ ft. high. Leaves alternate, fleshy, linear, 1-2 in. long. Flowers small, greenish, in 10-12 flowered, terminal and leaf-opposed cymes; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 6-7. Fr. compressed orbicular, separating in 2 broadly-winged cocci.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Mulbes).
84Limeum viscosum Fenzl. TARBA (Khartoum), RUBAA’, also HOMRA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Prostrate, glandular-viscid herb. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate to rotundate. Flowers small, in extra-axillary, compact cymes; sepals 5, viscid; petals 0; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.
Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.
L. indicum Stocks.
Diffuse, glandular, puberulous or glabrate herb. Leaves nearly or quite opposite, rotundate, ⅓ in. long. Cymes sessile or subsessile, axillary; petals clawed, toothed above; stamens 6-7. Fr. minute dicoccous, bony.
Nubia
L. linifolium Fenzl. HAREISH (Kordn.)—Arab.
Glabrous herb. Leaves alternate, linear, ½-2 in. long. Cymes compact, sessile or subsessile; sepals 5; petals 0, 3 or 5, linear-spathulate; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.
Kordofan Prov. (El Murra).
FICOIDACEÆ.
85Aizoon canariense Linn.
Hairy, prostrate herb. Leaves obovate to spathulate, up to 3 in. long, alternate. Flowers sessile, solitary or clustered in axils of leaves. Calyx 4-5 partite; petals absent. Fruit pentagonal stelliform, ⅓ in. long.
Red Sea Prov.
86Trianthema pentandra Linn. RABA’A (Khartoum) & RAB’AH—Arab; LOM (Kenissa)—Dinka.
Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite, oval-oblong to obovate-elliptical, ½-2 in. long. Flowers fascicled, axillary; calyx 5-fid; petals 0; stamens 5. Capsule membranous or coriaceous.
North Sudan; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile & Kordofan Provinces; Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The plant is used as an astringent in abdominal diseases. The Sudanese mix one spoonful of pounded roots with one rottl of Marissa and use the mixture as a remedy for gonorrhœa, the doses being taken for three days.
T. salsoloides Fenzl. DEILU (N. Kordn.) & DALLE—Arab.
Hairy herb. Leaves opposite, linear, fleshy, ½ to 1 in. long, dilated at base with membranous stipuliform teeth. Flowers axillary fascicled or on short lateral leafy shoots. Petals 0; stamens up to 5. Capsule 1-seeded.
Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
The ashes mixed with Simsim oil and lime are used for making soap.
T. polysperma Hochst.
Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite or nearly so, fleshy, glandular, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers dichotomously cymose, sessile in each fork. Calyx 5-lobed, with petaloid pink margin; stamens 4-6; styles 2; ovary 1-celled, ovules about 7.
Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
T. crystallina Vahl. ARARIB (Atbara)—Arab.
Prostrate herb. Leaves fleshy, linear to rotundate, ¾ in. long. Flowers axillary fascicled.
Red Sea Prov. (sea-coast); Berber Prov. (Abu Hashim & Atbara); Nubian Desert; Kordofan Prov. (Debakh); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
T. triquetra Rottl. & Willd.
Diffuse, prostrate herb, covered with minute scales. Leaves opposite or alternate, over ½ in. long, linear to linear-lanceolate, fleshy. Flowers numerous, sessile in the axil. Style simple.
Between Kassala & Goz Regeb; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Geteina); Kordofan Prov.
PORTULACACEÆ.
87Portulaca quadrifida Linn.
Prostrate, fatty herb. Flowers yellow. Leaves opposite, oval, numerous, fleshy. Joints and flower-heads bristly.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Khartoum, Upper White Nile & White Nile Provinces.
P. oleracea Linn. RIGLA—Arab. The Purslane.
Succulent annual with obovate or oblong-spathulate, alternate, fleshy leaves. Flowers in clusters, few together, yellow, open during a short time in the morning.
Common everywhere. Wild in various parts, e.g., Red Sea, White Nile, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
Used as a vegetable and salad, the seeds are demulcent, diuretic and slightly astringent.
P. Erythraea Schwfth.
Fleshy; leaves obovate-cuneate, about 1 in. long. Flowers axillary, sessile, solitary.
No locality given (fide Mrs. Crowfoot).
P. foliosa Kern.
Herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, terete. Flowers yellow, solitary or in few-flowered heads, with numerous setæ.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mvolo near Rōl River).
88Talinum Caffrum E. & Z.
Small herb, woody below, somewhat succulent above. Leaves linear-lanceolate. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, yellow.
Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
T. cuneifolium Willd. DANAB EL TUT (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; KUGATABBA—Bongo.
Undershrub. Leaves thick. Flowers carmine; capsules size of a pea, thinly crustaceous, nodding; seeds numerous.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Dago & Barku); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
T. crassifolium Willd.
Small herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, elliptic or oblanceolate-oblong. Flowers red in terminal, few-flowered panicles.
Red Sea Prov. (coast).
POLYGONACEÆ.
89Oxygonum atriplicifolium Martelli.
Herb; stem slender, pubescent on one side. Leaves alternate, deltoid to lanceolate, ¾ in. long; petiole ¼ in. long, dilated into a membranous sheath (ochrea), with long hairs. Racemes 6 in. long; bracts like ochreæ enclosing 2-3 flowers; per. minute, pink, 5-lobed, becoming 3-spined in fruit; stamens 8; styles 3. Flowers polygamous.
Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
var. sinuatum Baker.
Leaves thicker, pinnately lobed.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla).
90Polygonum plebeium R. Br.
Prostrate herb with short internodes. Leaves alternate, linear-oblong, ¼ to ½ in. long; ochreæ membranous, white, lacerate. Flowers clustered 2-5, axillary; per. white, small, 5-lobed; stamens 8. Fr. trigonous, shining.
Khartoum Prov.; Banks of the Nile; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
P. serrulatum Lag.
Slender procumbent annual, 2-3 ft. long. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile; ochreæ bristly. Spikes several to a stem; 1½-2 in. long; bracts ciliate; per. pink, minute; stamens 6-8, styles and nut as above.
Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Lado).
P. limbatum Meisn.
Perennial 3-4 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile, with stout adpressed hairs; ochreæ large, hairy sheathing below, deflexed above. Racemes 3 to a branch, 2-3 in. long; per. pink, minute; stamens 7; styles 2; nut lenticular, glossy, black.