Unarmed green, early-leafless shrub, up to 6 ft. high; branches alternate, cylindrical; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves not seen. Umbels terminal of 5-7 simple rays, about ½ in. long; bracts early deciduous, oblong, acute, ½ in. long, whorled at base of umbel, and orbicular-obovate, ⅙ in. long, paired below the invols. Invol. ¼ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped; lobes scarcely toothed or ciliate, but sometimes bifid; glands 4, transversely elliptic or orbicular. Capsules ¼ in. diameter, much exserted.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat.); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Daier); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Duli Konga, 7,500 ft.).
E. consobrina N.E. Br.
Shrub of habit much as above. Leaves soon deciduous, sessile, linear-lanceolate, acute, ⅙-¼ in. long. Umbel of 3, or less, simple rays, up to ½ in. long, terminal, based by a whorl of leaves. Invol. solitary, about ⅙ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped, the 5 lobes subquadrate, subentire, slightly ciliate; glands as above. Capsules slightly exserted, curved to one side.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, Wadi Teeke, between Suakin and Berber).
E. scoparia N.E. Br. KURKABAN & SHAGAR EL SIM (Baggara)?—Arab; IMGEIL (Dilling)?—Nuba.
Unarmed tree, 15-25 ft. high; branchlets alternate, abundant, green, cylindrical, fleshy, ¼-½ in. thick, marked with leaf scars. Leaves caducous, alternate, scattered below, clustered at ends of branchlets, linear, sessile, about ½ in. long. Invols. in dense sessile clusters, about ⅙ in. in diameter at tips of branches, cup-shaped, minute; lobes 5, ovate subciliate; glands 5, minute, transversely elliptic, entire. Ovary erect on stout pedicel as long as invol.
Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Dakhila, south of Roseires); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling)?
E. venenifica Trém. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; RIS (Tagele)—Nuba; JIANGO—Zande.
Bushy shrub, up to 7 or 8 ft. high, with fleshy, cylindrical branches armed with conical prickles. Leaves deciduous, 3-11 in. long, narrowly lanceolate to oblong-cuneate, tapering into the short petiole. Cymes solitary in axils of spine tubercles, ½-¾ in. long including the short peduncle, once or twice forked, the branches bearing 3 invols.; central invol. sessile, lateral short pedicellate, about 1/7 in. diameter, cup-shaped, lobes 5, broadly cuneate, fringed at top, rim-glands 1/12 in. diameter, transversely oblong. Capsules deeply 3-lobed, erect, about ⅓ in. diameter.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas & Abu Gurun’s Zariba, Mittu: Dukutu, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
Used by natives for poisoning arrows.
E. Teke Schweinfth.
Very large tree; young branches fleshy, 4-angled, about ½-¾ in. diameter, armed with geminate, diverging stipular spines, about ⅙ in. long, blackish. Leaves glabrous, elongated cuneate-obovate, 3-12 in. long, tapering into the ⅓-1 in. long petioles. Cymes axillary, sessile, of 2-4 peduncle-like branches, 1½-2½ in. long, each with 2, about ½ in. long branches, each end ending in a solitary sessile invol.; bracts under invol. nearly ¼ in. long, ovate, deciduous. Invol. under ½ in. diameter, broadly cup-shaped; lobes 5, broadly cuneate, fringed; glands 5, transversely elliptic-oblong; ovary erect, glabrous.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru and Diagbe Rivers).
E. triaculeata Forsk. var. triacantha N.E. Br.
Spiny, succulent, leafless bushy plant, 5-20 in. high; stems with branches about ½ in. thick, usually 3-5 angled, angles often prominent, with deep notches forming triangular teeth, each margined with a horny shield bearing 1 straight needle-like spine up to 1 in. long and 2 small prickles at its base. Cymes small, solitary in axils of teeth, with 3 invols.; bracts scale-like. Invol. minute; lobes 5-6 transversely rectangular, fringed; glands united into a 5-lobed spreading rim; ovary not exserted.
Red Sea Prov. (J. Waratab & Khor Seterra).
E. monacantha Pax.
Succulent, much branched, very spiny, leafless plant, 4-8 in. high; stems about ½ in. thick, with several spiral series of tubercles or tuberculate angles, each tubercle bearing 1 spreading spine ⅓-¾ in. long, with or without a pair of minute prickles at its base on a 3-lobed horny shield. Leaves scale-like, deciduous. Invols. 3 together in axils of the shields, sessile or nearly so, with a pair of oblong toothed bracts, cup-shaped, about 6⅛ in. diameter, lobes 5, cuneate; glands variable contiguous or separated; ovary sessile.
Red Sea Province (Suakin).
E. Thi Schweinfth. ANKHAU—Hadendowa; DAMBOTIT—Rashida.
Succulent, spiny, leafless bush, 2-4 ft. high; branches erect, up to about 2 in. diam., 4-6 angled, constricted at intervals of 1-2½ in.; angles compressed, lobed by the constrictions with continuous horny margins; spines varying from ⅙-¾ in., in pairs, diverging, ⅙-½ in. apart. Cymes solitary in axils of spines, subsessile, with 3 invols.; bracts small, ovate. Invol. ⅙ in. diam., lobes 5, cuneate, fringed; glands 5, transversely oblong. Caps. ⅛ in. diam., partly exserted.
Nubia (Wadi Teeke, between Suakin & Berber); Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat).
E. abyssinica Gmelin. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; HEID—Hadendowa.
Tree with succulent, leafless branches, which are ascending, forming a large crown and up to 8- (usually 6-) angled; angles scolloped or crenate owing to frequent constrictions; spines continuous on top of angles, in groups of 5 or 2, divaricate, about ½ in. long. Cymes crowded at top of branchlets; invol. with 5 transversely-elliptic, yellow glands. Capsules with a distinct 3-lobed calyx at base, crimson streaked with white when ripe.
Red Sea Prov.: Between Suakin & Berber; Bahr El Jebel (Sudd country?).
E. Murieli N.E. Br. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab.
Large tree with ascending, leafless and spineless branches, forming a large crown; branches slightly constricted at regular or irregular distances; constrictions all of same diameter; angles 4, sometimes 5, margins even; spines 0; spine shields horny, oblong, ¼-½ in. apart, not connected by horny border. Leaves rudimentary, minute. Cymes numerous at top of branchlets; pedicels ½-1 in. long bearing, on branches ¼-⅓ in. long, 3 invols.; bracts minute, suborbicular; invol. ¼ in. diameter; lobes 5, short; glands 5 erect, contiguous or nearly so, reniform, forming a lip. Capsules exserted, curved to one side, ⅓ in. diameter.
Bahr El Jebel.
E. Erythrææ N.E. Br.
Small, leafless, succulent, spiny tree; branches ascending, candelabrum-like, 3-4 or 5-7 angled, irregularly constricted; angles wing-like, up to about 1 in. broad, straight or wavy; spines in pairs up to ⅓ in. long, on suborbicular shields close together but not connected. Flowers and fruit not known.
Nubia (between Suakin & Berber: Harassa valley).
E. calycina N.E. Br.
Succulent, spiny, leafless tree, 30 ft. high; branches 4-angled, wing-like, faintly sinuate, with small central core; constrictions slight, 5-7 in. apart or more; spines up to ⅙ in. long, in pairs ½-¾ in. apart, on oblong or suborbic. shields which are not connected by horny border. Leaves scale-like. Cymes on peduncles ½-¾ in. long, bearing a central, sessile, male invol. and 2 lateral hermaphr., on short branches. Invol. about ¼ in. diameter, shallowly cup-shaped; lobes 5, broad, fringed; glands 5, subcontiguous, transverse reniform, 2-lipped with ends decurved. Ovary exserted.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek, Mittu-land: at Legbi).
E. Candelabrum Trémaut. SHAGAR EL SIM—Arab; AURI (J. Daier)—Nuba; BAKUNGI & FUFUMI—Bari; KAKOB—Bongo; BOL & BUAL (Bahr El Jebel)—Dinka; BULL—Nuer.
Armed tree with stem up to 3 ft. diameter, forming a large crown of candelabrum-like habit; branchlets fleshy, 3-4 or 5-angled, not wing-like, constricted at intervals; core thicker than in preceding; spines geminate, diverging, up to ⅙ in. long, on rounded horny cushions which are not decurrent. Flowers and fruit not known.
Southern Sudan (on poor soil or rock).
The milky juice is used for poisoning arrows.
230Bridelia scleroneuroides Pax. APIAT (Bahr El Ghazal)—Dinka; INZI—Golo.
Shrub or small tree; branchlets yellowish hairy. Leaves alternate, oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 in. long, pubescent above when young, softly and densely pubescent beneath; lateral nerves straight to the margin. Flowers monœcious; male flowers small, numerous, subsessile in leaf-axils; sepals 5, ovate; petals 5, broad-ovate, toothed at apex; stamens 5; female flowers fewer or solitary: sepals as in male; petals elliptic-ovate, thick, slightly bifid; styles 2, bifid. Drupe globose, ¼ in. diameter, 2-celled.
Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas; Khor Tela).
B. ferruginea Benth. var. orientalis Hutchinson.
Shrub or small tree; branchlets rusty, hairy. Leaves elliptic, short-acuminate, 2-4 in. long, pubescent on nerves and veins below; lateral nerves 11-13, unbranched to margin. Male flowers: sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, slightly hooded, pubescent outside with long adpressed hairs; petals 5, minute, obovate, toothed; stamens 5; disk thick, wrinkled. Female flowers: sepals as in male; petals lanceolate, acute; disk bottle-shaped, enclosing ovoid ovary, pubescent; styles 2, bipartite. Fruit ovoid-oblong, 1-celled.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Okel; Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
B. micrantha Baill.
Densely crowned tree, 20-40 ft. high; branchlets rusty-tomentose when young. Leaves oblong-elliptic to obovate, 2-7 in. long, shining above; lateral nerves 8-16, ascending and finally forming a marginal nerve. Male flowers small, short-stalked; sepals 5, triangular, pubescent at base; petals 5, obovate-cuneate, 3-lobed or toothed. Female flowers sessile; sepals as above; petals ovate entire; disk almost enclosing the ovoid ovary, densely pilose outside; styles 2, 2-lobed. Fruit ovoid, ⅙-¼ in. diameter, 1-celled.
Mongalla Prov, (Yei River).
A food plant of the African Silk Worm (Anaphe infracta) in Uganda. The timber is white and very durable.
231Megabaria ugandensis Hutchinson. KAPAH—Kaliko.
Tall tree; branchlets glabrous. Leaves alternate, clustered towards ends of branchlets, broadly elliptic, 3-11 in. long, glabrous. Infl. diœcious; male in glabrous panicles at ends of branchlets, axis 6-8 in. long, bracts ovate-triangular, up to ⅙ in. long; spikelets up to ½ in. long, each with a membranous bract at base; calyx 5-partite, lobes broad-ovate; petals 5, small, elliptic; stamens 5; disk-glands 5. Female infl. a panicle of racemes; calyx and petals as in male; disk cupular; ovary and fruit ovoid.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Deim Guju in Dar Fertit); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
232Amanoa Schweinfurthii Baker & Hutchinson.
Monœcious, glabrous shrub, about 10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate or oblong-elliptic, slightly emarginate, shining above, 3-4 in. long. Flowers in axillary spicate clusters on short lateral leafy branches. Male flowers several in each head; sepals 5, ovate; petals 5, short, scale-like. Female flowers solitary in each head.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mayob).
233Andrachne aspera Spreng.
Monœcious diffuse, scabrous herb, about 1 ft. high, from a perennial root stock. Leaves alternate, orbicular or sub-reniform, ¼-¾ in. broad. Flowers axillary; male flower fasciculate; sep. ovate-lanceolate, minute, 5-6; pet. 5-6, equalling sep., lanceolate; disk-glands 5-6, opposite petals; female flower solitary; sepals longer than in male, oblong-lanceolate; pet. very small, lanceolate; disk-glands 5; styles 3, 2-partite; ovary 3-celled. Capsule globose, ⅛ in. diam.
Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Suakin, 21° N. Lat.).
234Antidesma venosum Tul. YUKDASHI—Golo.
Diœcious, willow-like shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, elliptic or oblanceolate, up to 6 in. long, glabrous or pubescent above and thinly pubescent to tomentose below. Male spikes up to 6 in. long, silky; calyx 3-5 partite; pet. 0; stamens 3-5. Female racemes 1-5 in. long. Flowers pedicellate, ellipsoid, glabrous about ⅓ in. long.
Damp places; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dar Nuba); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (moist ground near Khors: Dar Fertit, Niamniam-land and Jur); Mongalla Prov. (Gigging).
The juice is said to be substitute for collyrium.
235Mæsobotrya floribunda Schweinfth.
Diœcious tree or shrub. Leaves alternate, elliptic, 3-6 in. long, shortly acuminate, margin remotely repand denticulate; pet. ½-1¼ in. long, stout. Male racemes crowded in leaf-axils, about 2 in. long; calyx 5-6 lobed, minute; pet. 0; stamens 5-6 free; disk-glands large, fleshy. Female racemes solitary or geminate, axillary, about 3 in. long; cal. lobes ovate, imbricate; disk cupular, short ovary ovoid, styles 2, short, bilobed. Flowers ovoid, ¼ in. long, purple.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land, Assika River).
Wood yellowish white, works well, density 0.651; suitable for joinery.
236Hymenocardia acida Tul. GARE & GERE—Bongo; KWANGE & GARA—Golo; AKAN—Jur; BAGBODI—Zande.
Tall, diœcious, apetalous shrub; branchlets rusty puberulous. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate to elliptic-oblong, up to 3½ in. long. Male flower in catkin-like spikes, up to 2½ in. long; cal. cupular, shortly 5-lobed, pinkish; stamens 5; anthers with a golden gland on the back near the top. Female flower in axillary short racemes; calyx 5-8 partite, pubescent; ovary glabrous, winged; styles 2. Fruit 2-winged, much like that of a small maple.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (Gurgus forest); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Dinka & Mittu-lands); Bahr El Jebel (Mongalla Prov. southwards).
The bark yields a red tan; it is also used by the Bongos as an antiseptic.
237Drypetes (Cyclostemon) Mildbrædii Hutchinson.
Large diœcious, apetalous shrub; bark light-grey; branchlets angular, puberulous. Leaves alternate, oblong or elliptic, shortly acuminate, 4-8 in. long, midrib and lat. nerves pubescent. Flowers fasciculate on 2-year-old wood; pedicels very short. Male flower sep. 4, suborbicular, ⅙ in. diam.; stamens 10, free, inserted round the fleshy, lobed disk. Female flower sep. 4, a little larger than male; disk annular, thick; ovary slightly bilobed; stigmas flat, 2-fid.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru River).
238Phyllanthus inflatus Hutchinson. sp. nov.
Leafy branchlets arising from short scaly branchlets. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 1¼ in. long, ¾ in. broad, glaucous. Fruit large, bladder-like, 1½ in. long, crustaceous; stalks ½ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Lado District: Kagi Ko, Yei River).
P. reticulatus Poir. KOROPONGO—Golo.
Erect or scrambling, monœcious, apetalous shrub, at length nearly glabrous. Leaves alternate, oblong or elliptic, ½-1¼ in. long; stip. lanceolate, acute. Male flower small, axillary, fascicled; sep. 5, ovate-elliptic, 1-nerved; stamens 5, 2 or 3 of the filaments connate, the others free and shorter; disk-glands 5, obovate. Female flower solitary or few; sep. as in male and disk also; ovary depressed globose; styles 3 short, erect. Fruit ¼ in. diam., fleshy or coriaceous.
Berber Prov. (Atbara: El Leya, Zeidab); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad El Haddad); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau, Mittu-land: Mvolo, Niamniam-land); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).
The roots yield a red dye. The leaves have diuretic and cooling properties.
P. floribundus Muell. Arg.
Armed monœcious trailing or climbing shrub. Leaves alternate, ovate or ovate-elliptic, mucronate, ¾-3 in. long. Racemes fascicled in axils of branchlets, up to 2 in. long, bearing clusters of 2-3 male and 1 female flower. Male flower sep. 5, oblong, minute, disk-glands 5, fleshy; stamens 5, free. Female flower sep. soon deciduous; disk cupular; ovary ellipsoid; styles 4-5, bilobed. Fruit depressed globose, small.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).
P. discoideus Muell. Arg.
Shrub to tall tree, diœcious. Leaves ovate-elliptic to obovate-oblanceolate, 1-4 in. long. Male flowers numerous, in axillary fascicles; bracts large orbicular, deciduous; sep. 4, obovate-oblong, very small; disk fleshy entire; stamens 4, free. Female flower axillary, geminate; sep. 4, larger than male; disk fleshy; ovary ellipsoid. Capsule 3-4 lobed, ⅓ in. diam.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
P. capillaris Schum. & Thonn.
Whitish pubescent monœcious shrub, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves obovate or elliptic-obovate, ⅓-1 in. long, glaucous beneath. Male flower axillary, fascicled; pedicels ¾ in. long; sep. 5, minute, obovate; glands 5, fleshy; stamens 5, free. Female flower mostly solitary; sep. 4-5, ovate-elliptic, minute; disk saucer-shaped; styles 3, bipartite. Fruit depressed, globose, minute.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
P. nummulariæfolius Poir.
Small monœcious shrub. Leaves obovate or rounded-obovate, ¼-¾ in. long, otherwise as above.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land): Sueh River & Mt. Baginze); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
P. pentandrus Schum. & Thonn.
Woody monœcious herb, 18 in. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or lin.-lanc., up to ¾ in. long. Male flower axillary in lower leaves, 2-3 together; sep. 5, ovate, glands 5, flat; stamens 5, free. Female flower solitary in axils of upper leaves; sep. and disk as male; styles shortly bifid. Capsule depressed-globose, minute.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin 21° N. Lat.); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad, Obeid, etc.); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).
P. amarus Schum. & Thonn.
Monœcious herb, 1 ft. high. Leaves oblong or elliptic, ⅙-½ in. long; one male and one female flower in each leaf axil. Male flower sep. 5, ovate, minute, glands small; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower sep. larger than male; disk 5-lobed; styles 3, short, bifid. Capsule depressed 3-lobed.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas).
P. maderaspatensis Linn.
Erect monœcious herb or undershrub; flower branchlets almost winged. Leaves lin.-lanceolate or oblanceolate, up to 1½ in. long; stip. lanceolate and auricled about ⅛ in. long. Male and female flower sometimes together in leaf axils, or female solitary, much larger than males; ped. 1/12 in. Male flower, sep. 6, oblong-lanceolate, minute; disk-glands 6, flat; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower, sep. 6, 2-seriate ovate-elliptic; disk of 6 flat glands; styles 3, bifid. Capsule 3-lobed, ⅛ in. diam.
Nubia (between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: woods north of Matamma); Fung Prov. (Roseires & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf southwards); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
An infusion of the leaves is used for headaches. Cattle eat the leaves.
P. prostrata Welw.
Small prostrate, monœcious herb. Leaves elliptic, spinescent at apex, ¼ in. long. Male flower axillary and geminate in lower parts; sep. 6, oblong, minute; glands 6, orbicular; stamens 3, filam. connate. Female flower solitary in upper parts; sepals 6, in 2 rows oblong; disk annular; styles 3, bifid. Capsule depressed globose, ⅙ in. diam.
Khartoum Prov.
P. odontadenius Muell. Arg.
Monœcious annual, 2-3 ft. high; branches winged. Leaves oblong, ⅓-¾ in. long. Male flower axillary in lower leaf-axils, few together; sep. 6, oblong, minute; glands minute; stamens 3, filam. connate. Female flower solitary in upper leaf axils; sep. 6, biseriate, larger than male; disk annular crenate; styles 3, bilobed. Capsule enclosed by whitish persistent sepals.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
P. Niruri Linn. ERGANA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Erect branched monœcious herb, 1 ft. high, with fine feathery foliage. Leaves oblong or oblong-elliptic, ¼-½ in. long. Male flower solitary in lower parts of branchlets; sep. and glands 6 resp., small; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female flower solitary in upper parts of branchlets; sep. 6, larger than male; disk flat, about 10-toothed. Capsule globose-trilobed, 1/10 in. diam.
Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol): Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
The leaves are used medicinally for various disorders.
P. rotundifolius Klein.
Monœcious herb, 1 ft. high. Leaves rounded-obovate, under ½ in. long. Two or three male and one female flower together in each axil. Male, sep. 6, glands 6; stamens 3, filaments connate. Female, sep. larger than male, ovate; disk crenulate, small; ovary depressed globose.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin 21° N. Lat.).
239Fluggea microcarpa Blume. DABALAB (Blue Nile)—Arab; MALI—Hameg; BUGGULTYEN (Dilling)—Nuba.
Diœcious, apetalous shrub or small tree, growing in moist ground. Leaves alternate, elliptic or obovate, obtusely pointed or emarginate, up to 2½ in. long. Male flowers numerous in axillary fascicles; ped. ⅙ in.; sep. 5, unequal, largest 1/12 in. long, obovate; disk-glands large and fleshy with 3 or 4 depressions on outside; stamens 5, free. Female flower also in axillary fascicles, numerous; sep. as male; disk annular; ovary ovoid; styles 3, connate at base, bilobed, rarely absent. Fruit white, depressed globose about ⅙ in diam.
Kassala Prov. (Gendua River & Goz Regeb); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Tonga & Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel.
Wood reddish-yellow, close-grained, strong and durable. The bark is astringent and is used as a fish poison.
240Croton lobatus Linn. UMDILEIDMĀN (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Tall monœcious woody herb. Leaves digitately 3-5 partite, 1-4 in. long, alternate, crenate, pet. up to 4 in. long. Racemes axillary and terminal, up to 5 in. long, bearing female flower below, male above, 2 ft. to each bract. Male flower, sep. 5, greenish, minute; pet. 5; stamens 10-13. Female flower, sep. 5, ¼ in. long, lin.-lanceolate, glandular-hairy; pet. 5, represented by a minute hair each; disk shortly 5-lobed; styles 3, free, 6-7 lobed. Capsule ¼ in. long.
Fung Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); White Nile Prov. (rocky hills); Kordofan Prov. (between Taiara & Gefil).
C. polytrichus Pax.
Shrub? Monœcious; branchlets rusty tomentose. Leaves oblong-ovate or obl.-elliptic, acuminate, biglandular at base, 1-2 in. long, stellate pubescent. Racemes stellately pubescent terminal, 4 in. long, upper ⅔ male, female below. Male flower, sep. 5, minute; pet. 5, minute; disk-glands fleshy, suborbicular; stamens 15. Female flower, sep. 5; pet. a tuft of hairs; disk undulately lobed; styles 3, bilobed.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).
C. niloticus Muell. Arg.
Diœcious shrub; stems and branches clothed with scaly pubescence. Leaves dimorphic—of the young branchlets broadly ovate or ovate-rhomboid, 2-4 in. long, digitately 5-nerved; of the older branches 1 ft. long and broad deeply cordate, 7-nerved; pet. 1-6 in. long. Male flower not known; female racemes axillary and terminal, 3½ in. long; sep. 5, minute; pet. 0; disk saucer-shaped, fleshy; styles deeply bilobed.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
C. gratissimus Burch. NIMARDAK (J. Daier)—Nuba.
Large monœcious shrub, twigs and under surface of leaves covered with silvery scaly tomentum. Leaves alternate ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 in. long. Racemes terminal, up to 2½ in. long, bisexual. Male flower, sep. and pet. 5, ovate 1/10 in. long, scaly; disk-glands thick, opposite the sepals; stamens 10-5. Female flower, sep. and pet. 5; disk minute; ovary densely clothed with fringed scales. Capsule ⅛ in. long, slightly 3-lobed.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Daier, Talodi: Um Qualeet).
A decoction is drunk for malaria, and also used as a massage lotion in cases of fever.
C. leuconeurus Pax.
Monœcious tree, 15-20 ft. high. Leaves ovate or elliptic-ovate, 2-5 in. long, crenate-serrate with short stipitate glands between the teeth. Racemes terminal, interrupted. Female flowers few, mixed with males. Male flower hairy; sep. and pet. 5, 1/10 in. long; glands small and fleshy; stamens about 18. Female flower, sep. 5, pet. rudimentary, pilose; disk fleshy; ovary globose densely tomentose.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land: Mvolo).
241Jatropha tuberosa Pax.
Monœcious, 1-2 ft. high; root tuberous. Leaves sessile, upper deeply 3-lobed, 6 in. long, lower lanceolate, 3-5 in. long, serrulate. Cymes terminal, dichotomous. Female flower terminating each axis, male lateral; bracts ¼ in. long, glandular-toothed; sep. 5, pet. 5, all minute; glands 5; stamens 8 in 2 series, 3 inner filaments connate. Female flower, sep. and pet. 5, larger than male; disks 5-lobed, lobes toothed; styles bifid.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Mangob).
J. melanosperma Pax.
Monœcious herb, 18 in. high. Leaves deeply 3-lobed to subentire 2½-6 in. long, serrulate. Cymes small; flowers crowded, much as above; seeds black, shining ¼ in. long; the bracts are smaller and eglandular.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land).
J. lobata Muell. Arg.
Monœcious undershrub, about 1 ft. high. Leaves digitately 3-5 lobed, 1½-3 in. long and broad, serrate. Cymes few-flowered, 1 in. diam.; bracts ¼ in. long, gland-toothed; sep. and pet. minute, gland-toothed; glands small; stamens 8. Female flower, sep. and pet. larger than male; disk 5-lobed. Capsule ½ in. long, buff-coloured.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, etc.); Kordofan Prov. (Katul Gumbara).
J. aceroides Hutchinson.
Small shrub. Leaves digitately 5-lobed, 1-4 in. long, coarsely dentate. Cymes few-flowered. Male flower, sep. 1/10 in.; pet. 1/5 in. long; glands large round contiguous; stamens 8; filaments partially connate. Female flower, sep. larger than male; pet. 0; disk deeply 5-lobed. Fruit not known.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Ashat, Khor Gwob).
J. Curcas Linn. HABB-EL-MELUK (Egypt)—Arab.
Sappy shrub. Leaves 5-lobed or entire, ovate-rounded, 3½-5½ in. long and wide; pet. 3-7 in. long. Cymes shorter than leaves. Male flower, sep. 1/7 in. long; pet. 2/9 in. long, pilose within, connate below; disk-glands cylindric; stamens 8, 3 inner connate. Female flower, sep. larger than male; pet. ¼ in. long, pilose; disk deeply 5-lobed. Capsule ellipsoid, 1 in. long.
Introduced: Khartoum Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Renk); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Deim Zubeir, planted by Marchand); Bahr El Jebel.
It is used as a hedge-plant. The seeds are poisonous and act as a violent purgative. An oil is extracted from the seeds which is used for making soap.
J. glandulosa Vahl.
Shrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves 3-lobed, orbicular in outline, 1-2½ in. long and wide, hairy, glandular-dentate; stip. reduced to a mass of sessile glands. Cymes 2 in. diam.; bracts glandular-toothed. Male flower, sep. pubescent, glandular-toothed, minute; pet. 1/5 in. long, connate lower ⅔; disk-glands fleshy; stamens 8, filaments connate half-way. Female flower, sep. pubescent, gland-toothed; pet. 0; disk 5-lobed, fleshy.
Between Suakin & Kassala (J. Iskeneib).
J. gallabatensis Schweinfth.
Shrub, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves simple to 3-lobed, 2-3 in. long; fimbriate-glandular-serrate; stip. fimbriate, glandular. Cymes terminal, 1¼ in. diam.; bracts ¼ in. long, stipitate-glandular. Male fl.: sep. toothed, minute; pet. ⅙ in. long; disk-glands flat; st. 8, 3 inner connate. Fem. fl.: sep. glandular-fimbriate, ⅙ in. long; pet. 5, ¼ in. long; disk 5-lobed. Seeds pale, ⅓ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
J. Schweinfurthii Pax.
Densely tomentose herb. Leaves 3-lobed to middle, 3-6 in. long, serrate. Cymes corymbose; peduncle up to 3 in. long. Male fl.: crowded; sep. and pet. 5, small, obovate; disk-glands obovate; st. 8, 3 inner connate. Fem. fl.: sep. lanceolate, pubescent outside, small; pet. free, ⅙ in. long, disk 5-lobed. Caps. tomentose, ½ in. long; seeds ⅓ in. long, shining.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Bongo: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
J. æthiopica Muell. Arg.
Soft, fulvous-haired herb, 9 in. high. Leaves 3-partite, up to 4 in. long and broad, sharply serrulate; stip. glandular-fimbriate. Cymes 1½ in. diam. on 1½ in. long, stout peduncles. Male fl.: sep. small, toothed above; pet. free, small; st. 8, free. Fem. fl.: sep. ⅙ in. long, fimbriate; pet. 1/5 in. long, free; disk 5-lobed, ovary ellipsoid.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur).
242Manniophyton africanum Muell. Arg.
Diœcious shrub or climber; branches scabrous-stellate. Leaves alt., from ovate to 2-3 lobed, 3½-6 in. long; basal nerves 5; pet. up to 4 in.; stip. rigid, subulate, small. Male panicles solitary or 2-3 together in upper axils, up to 10 in. long, rough stellate-hairy; fl. clustered; calyx lobes 5 triangular, ⅛ in. long; pet. 5 connate, glabrous, 1/7 in. long; disk glands small; st. 17-20, free. Fem. panicle smaller and fewer flowered than male; cal. as male; cor. tomentose outside; disk absent. Caps. deeply trilobed, ab. 1 in. long, rusty hairy.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: near Um Yuru River).
243Caperonia serrata Presl. LASAKWA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
An erect, monœcious, hispid annual. Leaves narrow-lanceolate, sharply serrate, 2-4 in. long, glabrous or nearly so. Racemes axillary 2-4 in. long, nearly glabrous; upper fl. male, lower fem., all solitary to a bract. Male fl.: calyx lobes 5, ovate-triangular; pet. 5, spathulate-oblong, subequal; st. 10, connate below, 2-seriate above, disk 0. Fem. fl.: sep. 8-10, unequal, inner larger; pet. 5, shorter than inner sep. Caps. ¼ in. wide; accrescent sepals 1/10-1/8 in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Sobat River (Nasser); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Abu Gurun’s Zariba).
244Chrozophora plicata A. Juss. var. (α) typica Prain. TERBA (Blue Nile), AKASA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GHANEM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Prostrate branching herb, with thick root stock. Leaves nearly orbicular or subtrilobed, margin undulate, plicate, ab. 1 in. long, woolly. Racemes monœcious, axillary dense, upper fl. male. Male fl. calyx 5-lobed valvate; pet. 5, pink; st. 12-15 connate below, 3-seriate above. Fem. fl.: calyx 5-lobed, pet. 5; disk-glands alt. with petals. Caps. 3-coccous, red-purple, ⅓ in. wide, pubescent.
Nubia; Dongola Prov.; On river banks and depressions on cotton soil in most parts of the Sudan; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani, Sennar, Abu Surga); White Nile Prov. (Geteina & Salati); Kordofan Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nuer District).
var. (β) obliguifolia Prain.
Leaves up to 2 in. Petals yellow.
Nubia; Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (near Shendi); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.
The fruit yields a blueish dye. A strong fibre is yielded by this plant but it is not easily detachable. The seeds and leaves have purgative properties.
C. oblongifolia A. Juss.
Bushy white or tawny herb or undershrub. Leaves ovate-rhomboid or oblong to lanceolate, margins sublobed, 1-4 in. long. Racemes as above. Male fl.: calyx as above; pet. yellowish-white; st. 5-10, 1-2 seriate. Fem. fl. much as above, but pet. linear. Caps. 2-coccous, blue-purple, ½ wide, scaly and with fringed margins.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (hills & sea-coast).
C. brocchiana Vis. var. (α) typica Prain. AGASSIR (Kordn.) & TARBA (Darfur)—Arab.
Woolly herb or undershrub. Leaves rhomboid or ovate, ¾-1½ in. long, margin undulate, often 3-lobed, velvety. Racemes very dense, sessile. Male fl.: calyx pubescent; pet. yellow; st. 5-10, 1-2 seriate. Fem. fl.: sep. and pet. ¼ in. long. Caps. 3-coccous, white, tinged violet, ⅓ in. wide, scaly.
Nubia; Dongola Prov. (Debba); Kassala Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Sennar); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad, Goghan); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
var. (β) Hartmanni Schwfth. ATTARR (Kordn.)—Arab.
Leaves rather larger, 1-2 in. long, margin distinctly 3-lobed; long spreading stellate hairs on both surfaces.
Berber Prov. (Saggaddi); Between Atbara & Red Sea Prov.; Kordofan Prov.
245Manihot utilissima Pohl. BABWA (sweet var.) & BAZMANGI (bitter var.)—Zande.
The Manioc or Cassava.
Shrub or tall woody herb with tuberous roots and 3-7 lobed leaves.
Cultivated on the Bahr El Jebel and the southern portion of the Bahr El Ghazal.
It is cultivated for its tubers which are eaten when cooked. The juice of the uncooked tuber is poisonous. The tubers also yield tapioca.
246Cephalocroton cordofanus Hochst.
Monœcious undershrub, highly aromatic when young. Stems and leaves stellate- and often glandular-pubescent when young. Leaves alternate, ovate-cordate, dentate, ½-2 in. long. Male perianth 4-lobed, hairy, st. 8; fem. perianth 4-lobed, lobes bi-tri-pinnatipartite, ovary 3-lobed, tomentose, styles 3, many times divided.
Nubia; Kassala Prov. (North of Meharrakat & Gedaref, Matamma); Atbara River (Hillet Idris); Fung Prov. (Roseires, Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.
247Erythrococca bongensis Pax.
Diœcious, apetalous shrub, 2-6 ft. high. Leaves alt., short-petioled, ovate, base cuneate, margin obscurely crenate, 1-2 in. long; stipules accrescent, usually spinulose. Male fl. minute, in sessile glomerules; per. 3-lobed; sta. 9-12; fem. fl. not known.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gurfala).
E. africana Prain.
Diœcious shrub; bud-scales persistent. Leaves alt., short-petioled, ovate, acuminate, 2-2½ in. long, margin faintly crenate; stipules minute, scarious. Fl. small, in slender-peduncled racemes. Male fl. per. 4-lobed, green; st. 24, filaments shorter than anthers. Fem. fl. per. deeply 2-lobed. Ovary usually 2-celled; stigmas connate at base, papillose. Caps. didymous, rarely 3-coccous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).
E. flaccida Prain.
Shrub or small tree; bud-scales persistent. Leaves ovate, acuminate, base cuneate, denticulate, pubescent; stip. scarious, minute. Fl. small, in slender-peduncled racemes, male up to ½ in. long, female 1¼ in. long, 12-16 flowered.
Male per. 4-lobed; st. ab. 34; fem. per. 2-lobed; ovary 2-celled, stigmas linear-ovate, at length recurved. Caps. didymous; seeds with red aril.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
248Micrococca mercurialis Benth.
Sparingly hirsute annual, ½-2 ft. high. Leaves alt., except the lowest, petioles ½-⅔ in. long; limb oblong or ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 1-2 in. long, margin bluntly toothed. Racemes slender, axillary, 2-3 in. long. Male fl. minute, per. 3-lobed; st. usually 6, 2-seriate, sometimes up to 20, multiseriate; fem. per. 3-partite; styles short, fimbriate. Caps. 2-4-coccous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Mbomo on the River Lessi).
249Acalypha Grantii Baker & Hutchinson.
Shrub ab. 6 ft. high, probably diœcious. Leaves alt., ovate, acuminate to caudate, rounded or subcordate, digitately 5-nerved at base, 2-2½ in. long, coarsely serrate; pet. ½-1¼ in. long; stip. linear, deciduous. Male fl. not known. Fem. spikes terminal, ab. ¾ in. long; bracts small, minutely toothed; sep. 3, ovate, ciliate above; ovary 3-celled, pilose above; styles 3, purple, deeply laciniate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Sabbi); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
A. paniculata Miq.
Monœcious herb, 2-5 ft. high; stems densely pilose above. Leaves ovate, subcordate or truncate and 5-nerved at base, sparingly bristly on both sides, coarsely crenate-serrate, 1½-3½ in. long; pet. 1-3½ in. long; stip. subulate. Male racemes solitary, axillary, 2½-5 in. long; buds small, 4-lobed; st. 8? Fem. fl. in terminal oblong panicle 6-8 in. long; branches simple up to 2½ in. long, a few male fl. at the base of each; sepals 5; ovary slightly 3-lobed with wart-like lumps; styles deeply 4-6 partite.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. senensis Klotzsch.
Monœcious shrub or undershrub; stems angular or deeply grooved, usually hirsute. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, gradually acuminate, cordate and 5-nerved at base, serrate, 1¼-7 in. long; pet. ½-1¼ in. long. Male spikes axillary, ¾-2½ in. long. Fem. spikes terminal, ¾-1¼ in. long; bracts suborbicular, deeply 7-10 toothed; sep. 4; ovary 3-4 lobed; styles 3-4, slightly connate at base, purple, slightly laciniate, ab. ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land; Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. ornata Hochst.
Monœcious undershrub or woody herb; branches somewhat grooved and hirsute. Leaves ovate, caudate, 5-nerved at base, coarsely serrate, sparingly pilose on nerves, 2-4½ in. long; pet. ½-2½ in. long; stip. subulate. Male infl. axillary, solitary, slender, 1½-2 in. long. Fem. infl. terminal, solitary, 2-3½ in. long; bracts ovate-rhomboid, acuminate, ¼ in. long, 1-flowered, toothed. Ovary 3-lobed, pilose above; styles 3, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Gindua River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kulenjo).
A. villicaulis Hochst.
Monœcious herb from a woody root stock; stems angular hirsute. Leaves linear-lanceolate to ovate, hirsute, acuminate, cordate and 5-7 nerved at base, crenate-serrate, 1½-4½ in. long; pet. ½-2½ in. long, hirsute, often with 2 glands at apex. Male infl. axillary, solitary, peduncled, 1½-2½ in. long. Fem. spikes 1-3 together at end of each shoot; bracts small, toothed, pubescent; sep. coriaceous ovate, pilose on back. Ovary densely pilose; styles 3, laciniate, ab. ⅓ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: on the banks of the Gendua River); Darfur Prov. (Kulme 3,600 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
A. fruticosa Forsk. RIKTUDA—Rashida; MŪT—Hadendowa.
Shrub. Leaves alt., ovate, shortly acuminate, usually abruptly cuneate, also 3-5 nerved at the base, crenate to serrate, up to 4 in. long and bearing golden-coloured glands on lower surface. Infl. axillary, up to ½ in. long, consisting of 2-3 unilateral dentate bracts each containing a solitary fem. fl. and of a very short terminal male spike; ovary with golden glands; styles 3, much branched.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Bahr El Jebel.
The leaves are used in India as a stomachic in dyspepsia and in cholera.
A. brachystachya Hornem.
Slender monœcious annual, 6-12 in. high. Leaves ovate, shortly acuminate, cordate or rounded and 5-7 nerved at base, serrate, ½-1½ in. long; pet. ½-1¾. long. Infl. bisexual, short, axillary, solitary or geminate, of 6-9 fem. fl. below, and male fl. in short, dense terminal cluster; axis pubescent. Fem. bracts tripartite; sep. 3; ovary bristly; styles slender, laciniate.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
A. psilostachya Hochst.
Herb or undershrub; stems hirsute when young. Leaves ovate or rhomboid, acutely caudate, rounded or cordate and 5-7 nerved at base, 2-3½ in. long, serrate, bristly on both surfaces. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, 1-3 in. long, of 3-4 fem. fl. near the base, otherwise male. Fem. bracts 5-lobed; sep. 3, ovate; ovary hirsute; styles 3, ¼ in. long, laciniate.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land).
A. hochstetteriana Muell. Arg.
Monœcious annual, up to 2 ft. high, sparingly hairy. Leaves lanceolate or elliptic, slightly acuminate, 3-5 nerved at base, ¾-3 in. long, crenulate, pellucid-dotted. Male spikes solitary in each leaf axil together but separate from a solitary fem. fl. Male fl., sep. 4. Fem. fl., bract small, saucer-shaped; sep. 3; ovary warted; styles short, laciniate.
White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
A. ciliata Forsk.
Monœcious herb, ab. 3 ft. high; stem grooved, shortly pubescent. Leaves ovate, caudate, 5-nerved at base, 1½-4½ in. long, crenate-serrate, slightly scabrous; pet. 1-3½ in. long. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary or in pairs, ¾-1 in. long, with ab. 10 fem. fl. in the lower part, upper part male, spicate. Fem. bracts suborbicular, laciniate-toothed, ribbed; sep. 3, small; ovary slightly pubescent; styles 3, slender, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
A. glomerata Hutchinson.
Erect branched herb; stem sulcate pubescent with short and with gland-tipped hairs. Leaves ovate- to rhomboid-elliptic, obtuse, 5-nerved at base, 1-2½ in. long, crenate, rough-pubescent; pet. quite as long as leaves. Infl. monœcious, crowded in clusters at ends of branches. Fem. bracts small, sub-reniform, with 8-10 triangular gland-tipped teeth, crowded; sep. 3, ciliate; ovary 3-lobed, pubescent; styles short, slender, divided almost to the base.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Addai & Gir).
A. crenata Hochst.
Annual, up to 18 in. high; stem grooved, short-pubescent. Leaves ovate, 5-nerved at base, 1-2 in. long, crenate, glabrous; pet. at least as long as leaves. Infl. bisexual; fem. fl. crowded at base and a few abortive ones at tip, male fl. in between, few. Fem. bracts ciliate, not gland-tipped; ovary pilose, styles 3, laciniate, slender.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Kordofan Prov.
A. indica Linn.
Erect, almost unbranched herb, up to 3 ft. high, shortly pubescent and angular. Leaves lanceolate- to rhomboid-ovate, acute, cuneate and 5-nerved at base, 1-2½ in. long, serrate, glabrous except on nerves; pet. usually longer than blade. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, or in pairs, up to 2½ in. long with 1-7 distant fem. fl. below and few terminal male fl., with 1 abortive fem. fl. at tip. Fem. bracts 1-2 flowered, suborbicular, up to ⅓ in. broad, with 10-12 triangular teeth; sep. 3; ovary deeply 3-lobed, pilose; styles short, laciniate.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Khartoum Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
The roots, leaves and tender shoots are used in India for various disorders. The juice of the plant is esteemed as an emetic for children.
A. bipartita Muell. Arg.
Climbing shrub, branches angular. Leaves ovate, acuminate, rounded or subcuneate and digitately 15-nerved at base, 1¼-2½ in. long, serrate, densely pubescent on nerves below; pet. ½-¾ in. long, pubescent. Infl. bisexual, axillary, solitary, pedunculate; ped. ab. 1 in. long with a fem. 2-fl. bract slightly above middle, upper part male, spicate, 1-1½ in. long.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
250Lepidoturus laxiflorus Benth.
Diœcious shrub or small tree. Leaves oblong, acuminate, rounded and 3- (rarely 5-) nerved at base, 3-5 in. long, closely crenate, shining and glabrous above, long hairy on nerves below; pet. 1-1½ in. long. Male spikes numerous from below the leaves, at length 2-3 in. long; bracts scarious, ovate; calyx usually 4-lobed; st. 8, filam. slightly connate at base. Fem. spikes few-flowered; calyx 3-5-sect; ovary 3-celled, pubescent; styles long, slender, simple; capsule 3-dymous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River & Linduku River & Kulenjo).
251Alchornea cordifolia Muell. Arg.
A. cordata Benth.
Shrub or small tree, erect or half-climbing. Leaves broadly ovate, cordate, 4-8 in. long. 3-6 in. broad, subentire, with a gland in the axil of each nerve at the base. Male spikes in copious axillary panicles. Styles 2. Fruit puberulous.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
A. glabrata Prain.
Shrub or tree, up to 40 ft. high. Leaves alt., almost subsessile, oblong or oblong-oblanceolate, acute, narrowed to base, entire or crenate, 4-6 in. long, with 1-2 pairs of glands at or near the base below. Infl. diœcious. Male spikes panicled, terminal; calyx 4-lobed; st. 8 or less, free or slightly connate at base. Fem. spikes simple, terminal; calyx-lobes usually 4 (to 6); caps. 3-celled, smooth, ⅓ in. across; styles simple, linear.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru River).
252Neoboutonia macrocalyx Pax.
Diœcious tree, up to 65 ft. high. Leaves cordate-orbicular, 5-7 nerved at base, 8 in. long, hoary-stellate and sparsely lepidote on nerves beneath; stip. lanceolate, under ½ in. long. Male fl. copiously panicled, nearly ¼ in. across; calyx 2-fid, stellate pubescent; sta. ab. 30, connective of anther with a terminal gland. Fem. fl. in simple or sparingly branched racemes, ¾ in. wide; sep. 5, accrescent, connate below; styles 2-fid, rather broad; caps. 3-coccous, ½ in. across. Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
N. canescens Pax.
Diœcious tree, 25-40 ft. high; twigs rusty-scurfy. Leaves petioled, orbicular-cordate, acute, entire, 5-7 nerved at base, 4-8 in. long, sparingly stellate-scurfy on main nerves above, beneath closely adpressed scurfy. Male fl. copiously panicled; calyx glabrous; sta. ab. 20, filaments hardly longer than anthers; connective usually with 3 apical glands. Fem. fl. in copiously branched racemes, small; ovary with tufts of stellate hairs; styles narrow with 2 linear lobes. Caps. 3-coccous, brown-scurfy, ¼ in. across.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
253Mallotus oppositifolius Muell. Arg.
Diœcious shrub, 6-12 ft. high. Leaves opp., ovate-acuminate or acute, cordate or obtuse and 3-nerved at base, 6-7 in. long, somewhat sinuate-dentate, rusty-stellate on nerves and glandular beneath. Racemes axillary, rachis rusty-pubescent. Male 4-5 in. long; fl. glomerate; calyx 4 (-5) valved; sta. numerous, free, purple. Fem. in fl. 2½-3 in. long; sep. 4-5; ovary 3-celled, globose; stigmas plumose. Caps. 3-coccous, ¼-⅓ in. wide.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River, Dar Fertit: Biri River near Deim Zubeir, Bongo-land: Baiko); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Diagbe River).
254Macaranga Schweinfurthii Pax.
Armed diœcious shrub to lofty tree; spines on stem and branches. Leaves alt., ovate, shallow lobed, irregularly toothed, 6-18 in. long; base narrowly deep-cordate and with a pair of glands at junction with petiole; pet. 8-16 in. long; stip. ovate, 1¼ in. long. Male fl. in lateral panicles, fascicled in axils of fallen leaves; sta. 2-5. Fem. fl. in short lateral racemes; ovary glabrous, 2-3 celled; stigmas spreading; caps. 2-coccous; cocci ½ in. across.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Yuru & Diagbe Rivers).
255Ricinus communis Linn. var. genuina Mull. Arg. HURUA or KHIRUWI—Arab; BULLAS—Hadendowa; BOMBŌR (Dilling) & PWA (Kadugli)—Nuba; HOLLOLA or SHUNSHUMUT—Hameg; FAP—Nuer; BUNGA—Zande. The Castor-Oil Plant.
Tall herb or shrub, with deeply 7 or more lobed palmate leaves. Fl. in large pyramidal panicles, males below, fem. above. Caps. prickly; seeds mottled.
Semi-wild on river banks; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel.
The seeds yield the Castor-Oil of commerce. The leaves, pounded into a paste, are applied externally for headaches.
var. africana Muell. Arg.
Fruit with only few prickles.
Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Kōn).
256Dalechampia scandens Linn. var. cordofana Muell. Arg. DEMCHIRAI (Meshra El Zeraf) & ABULISEIG (N. Kordn.)—Arab; GADIANG (or AGADIANG) (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Slender, monœcious climber; stem pubescent; leaves deeply 3-5 partite; lobes rather wide-oblong, acute or obtuse; base cordate, 5-7 nerved; length 2-5 in. Fl. in dense, long peduncled axillary heads, subtended by a pair of yellowish, ½-¾ in. long and broad bracts.
Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb); Khartoum Prov. (J. Malakhit); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid to Melbes); Upper White Nile Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor, Dinka-land).
It is used for scorpion stings.
257Tragia cannabina Linn. f. DEMCHIRAI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; MADIAB-DIAB (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Sub-erect or rambling herb, 2-5 ft. high, sometimes hispid with white, stinging hairs. Leaves alt., deeply 3-partite, sometimes 5-partite at base, sometimes without lateral lobes, central lobe oblong, 2½ in. long, margin lobulate; nerves bristly; pet. ¼-½ in. long. Racemes bisexual, leaf-opposed, 1-2 in. long on naked, bristly 2-3 in. long peduncles; male fl. rather lax, numerous, fem. fl. 2-3 below the male; bracts lanceolate, small. Male sep. 3, ovate; sta. 3. Fem. calyx segm. 6, with dense white bristles, accrescent later. Ovary bristly; styles 3, connate in lower half. Caps. 3-coccous.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Sobat River (Nasser); Bahr El Jebel (Shambé and Bari country); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
var. Brouniana Prain.
Herb, 4-6 in. high, hispid, and with white, stinging hairs. Leaves short-petioled, deeply 3-partite, narrow-lanceolate, central lobe 2 in. and lateral ½ in. long; margin sparingly toothed. Racemes terminal, occasionally leaf-opposed, under 1 in. long.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post, Saoleil); Up. White Nile Prov. (Kaka); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli).
The root is chewed and applied to scorpion stings.
var. intermedia Prain.
Stems erect or sub-erect, 2-3 ft. high, glabrous or pubescent, beset with white, stinging hairs. Leaves distinctly petiolate, the lowest 3-partite, the upper sometimes all without lateral lobes, central lobe lanceolate, 3½ in. long, sparingly sharply toothed. Racemes leaf-opposed.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile (Dinka country).
T. tripartita Schwfth.
Erect herb, 1½-2 ft. high, woody below; stem with sparse stinging hairs. Leaves deeply 3-partite, lobes lanceolate or lin.-lanceolate, the central one 4-7 in. long, margin subentire; pet. up to ⅓ in. long. Racemes bisexual, terminal and leaf-opposed, 2 in. long on naked peduncles 1-3 in. long; male fl. above and 1-3 fem. fl. below; bracts ab. ⅙ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
T. cordifolia Vahl.
Slender twiner, without stinging hairs, puberulous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, long acuminate, cordate, 2½-4 in. long; margin serrate or almost fimbriate dentate, puberulous and bristly on nerves; pet. ½-2½ in. long. Racemes bisexual, terminal, rather lax, 1½-2½ in. long, with a naked peduncle ½-2 in. long. Male fl. numerous above and a solitary basal fem. fl. Pedicels, both sexes, as long as their bracts and usually solitary.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. El Amira); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
T. mitis Hochst.
Slender twiner without stinging hairs. Differs from above in being diœcious and in the male fl. being above on the raceme in 3-fl. glomerules and from middle downwards in lax 3-fl. cymules.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma & near Hammad).
T. bongolana Prain.
Slender climber. Leaves retrosely hispid on nerves and petioles. Male fl. twice as large as in above, otherwise much alike.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Sabbi & between Kero & Reggo).
T. Benthami Baker.
Slender climber, finely puberulous and with few stinging hairs. Leaves ovate acute or acuminate, shallowly or rarer deeply wide cordate, sharply serrate, 2-4 in. long, sparingly bristly on nerves; pet. ¾-2½ in. long, bristly with stinging hairs. Racemes lateral and terminal on lateral branches, ½-¾ in. long with a naked peduncle, ¼-⅓ in. long, densely set with stinging hairs; male fl. numerous above and 2-3 basal fem. fl.; pedicels, both sexes, solitary, almost as long as the bracts.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
T. Schweinfurthii Baker.
Diœcious herb from woody base, 4-8 in. high, densely pilose, without stinging hairs. Leaves linear-oblong to lanceolate, 1½-2 in. long, minutely serrate, sessile or nearly so. Racemes terminal and leaf-opposed, more numerous on male plant. Male racemes 1½-4 in. long with a short pilose peduncle; pedicels shorter than the lanceolate bracts; sep. 3; sta. 3. Fem. racemes ¾-1½ in. long, with a pilose peduncle ⅓-½ in. long; fl. 3-6; pedicels longer than bracts; calyx-segm. 6, at length accrescent; styles 3, short, connate at base; caps. 3-coccous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit & Golo country).
ULMACEÆ.
258Celtis integrifolia Lam. IBNU (Baggara), LEBINGA (Fung Prov.) or MAHAGAYA (Kordn.)—Arab; EIRĀL (Dilling) & DOMBELABAI (Fan Yan)—Nuba; BAKKA—Bari.
Large tree with smooth, grey bark. Leaves alt., shortly petioled, ovate, short acuminate, base unequally rounded, entire, 1½-3 in. long, 3-nerved. Infl. polygamous, axillary, shorter than the leaf, cymose, hermaphr. fl. above, few, male fl. below, numerous, shorter stalked; calyx 4-5 lobed; stamens 4-5, minute; stigma bifid, sometimes twice so. Drupe ovoid, globose, about ⅓ in. long.
Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Dueim); Kordofan Prov. (near Singukai); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dar Nuba); Sobat River; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dinka: Ghazal River, Mittu: Mvolo, Rohl River); Bahr El Jebel.
Wood perishable, yellowish white, density 0.750.
259Trema guineensis Ficalho.
Shrub or tree; branches hairy. Leaves alt., ovate-oblong, acute to acuminate, base unequally cordate, 2½-4 in. long, margin denticulate, basally 3-nerved; petiole short. Infl. axillary, polygamous dense; fl. 5-merous, minute. Drupe small.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land).
260Chætacme microcarpa Rendle.
Shrub or small tree, armed with solitary or paired axillary spines. Leaves alt., distichous, elliptic-oblong to ovate, apiculate, 2-4 in. long. Infl. monœcious, male fl. greenish, axillary, cymose; calyx 5-partite; sta. 5; fem. fl. solitary or few; calyx 5-partite; style 2-branched; drupe globose, ⅓ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
ROSACEÆ.
261Rubus sp.
Scandent shrub. Leaves pinnate, with prickly axis; leaflets ovate-oblong, acutely acuminate, doubly serrate, 2-3 in. long, pubescent on the nerves beneath. Flowers paniculate; buds ovoid silky, with long glabrous tips.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River)
262Parinarium curatellifolium Planch.
Small or moderate-sized tree, tawny-tomentose on extremities. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, elliptic-oblong, 4½ in. long. Flowers terminal or from the upper axils, in panicles 3-6 in. long; calyx tube campanulate; petals 5, inserted in mouth of calyx tube; stamens 7 to many, united into a tube at base. Drupe size of a plum, edible.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Wau & Biselli).
Hard, heavy wood, light brown in colour, suitable for joinery. Fruit the size of a plum, edible.