Kordofan Prov.

294Trigonella Fœnum-græcum Linn. HELBA—Arab.

Annual, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3, obovate-cuneate. Flowers yellow, solitary or in pairs, axillary. Pod linear-falcate, 2-4 in. long.

Northern Sudan. (Cultivated as a vegetable.)

The seeds yield a yellow dye; the yellow decoction gives a fine permanent green with Sulphate of Copper. Medicinally the seeds are used to cure dyspepsia, diarrhœa and dysentery.

T. hamosa Linn.

Annual. Leaflets 3, obovate-cuneate, the upper margin inciso-crenate. Flowers yellow, 6-12 in axillary racemes. Pod linear-falcate.

Dongola Prov. (Opposite Letti); Berber Prov. (Shendi); Khartoum; White Nile; Kordofan Prov. (Habaga).

T. occulta Del.

Annual; leaflets toothed near apex; stipules deeply laciniate from the apex. Flowers yellow, in axillary clusters of 2-4. Pod elliptical, reticulated.

Khartoum, Fung & Kordofan Provinces.

The seeds are sometimes used for dysentery; the plants and pods are eaten as a pot-herb.

T. laciniata Linn.

Diffuse glabrous annual. Stipules laciniate; leaflets 3, deeply serrated. Racemes of 6-12 axillary, yellow flowers. Pod linear oblong, transversely veined.

Dongola Prov.

295Medicago sativa Linn. BERSĪM HEGAZI—Arab. Lucerne.

Herb; pod spirally contorted, so as to form 2 or 3 flat spires. Leaflets 3, linear-oblanceolate, serrate on upper margin; stipules narrow. Flowers violet or blue, in axillary racemes.

Introduced.

The Arabian variety is mostly cultivated in the Sudan. Under irrigation it is an excellent fodder crop.

296Trifolium fragiferum Linn.

Herb; heads globular; flowers small; calyx inflated after flowering. Leaflets 3, obovate, toothed.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

T. procumbens Linn.

Slender, glabrous or slightly downy annual; flower-heads loosely globular. Leaflets obovate or obcordate, toothed.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

T. alexandrinum Linn. BERSĪM BALADI—Arab.

Glabrous herb, 1-2 ft. high. Flowers 20-30 in. in dense oblong, long-stalked heads, yellow. Pod minute. Leaflets sessile, obovate-cuneate, toothed.

Northern Sudan (cultivated).

297Lotus nubicus Hochst.

Procumbent herb, 3-6 in. high; leaves pinnate; leaflets 3-5, the lowest pair close to the axil. Flowers reddish-yellow, 1-4 together with a leaflet-like bract at the base of the cluster. Pod linear-oblong, small.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab, etc.); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol, etc.).

L. arabicus Linn. LŪTABELAIN (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; AKIA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Prostrate or procumbent herb with thick rootstock. Leaflets 5. Flowers reddish, 2-4 together with a leaflet-like bract. Pod linear, slightly torulose up to 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L. & Akik); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf to Khor Attar).

It is said to be poisonous to cattle when young.

L. glinoides Del.

Shrubby herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaflets 5. Flowers reddish, 1-4 together, with a 3-fol. bract. Pod linear, subtorulose.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab).

L. Garcini DC.

Shrubby herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaflets 3. Flowers reddish, solitary, axillary sessile. Pod linear, nearly ½ in. long.

White Nile Prov.

L. sp. near L. Ehrenbergii Schwfth.

Small herb, woody at base; stems and leaves villous; leaflets very small, obovate. Flowers 3-4 in a cluster, pink. Pods linear, ¾ in. long, pilose.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

L. corniculatus Linn.

Decumbent or ascending herb, usually small; leaflets 5, of which the lower pair is close to the stem; flowers in an umbel of 5 or more; pod cylindrical.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: high elevation).

L. sp.

Stems elongated, sparsely leafy, pilose. Leaves small, villous. Flowers ½ in. long; calyx lobes subulate, 2 mm. long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).

298Psoralea plicata Del. RUBL or RUML (N. Kordn.)—Arab; HURGIG—Hadendowa.

Low spiny shrub. Leaflets 3, deeply crenate and silvery pubescent. Flowers 4-6 in axillary spikes; cor. creamy white. Pod villose, black.

Kassala Prov. (Um Adam); Berber Prov. (Nile banks); Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov. (Singa); Kordofan Prov.

299Cyamopsis senegalensis Guill. & Perr.

Herb, 6-12 in. high. Leaves 3-7 pinnately fol. Flowers 4-6 in axillary racemes, reddish. Pod linear, subtetragonous.

Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Dimehadit); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

300Indigofera linifolia Retz.

Annual, 6-9 in. high; leaves simple; pod globose. Flowers red, in axillary racemes. Anthers, in this genus, with apiculate connective.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

It is given medicinally in febrile eruptions.

I. Dewevrei M. Mich.

Undershrub; stems angular. Leaves simple, linear, very acute, 2-2½ in. long, shortly strigose-pubescent on both sides. Fls. axillary, solitary.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).

I. tetrasperma Schum. & Thonn.

Much branched undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves simple linear. Flowers scarlet, 1-2 in axils of leaves. Pod linear with a mucro.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Agada, Bongo-land: Sabbi).

I. bongensis Kotschy & Peyr.

Small procumbent herb. Leaves simple, obovate. Fl. purple, in axillary racemes. Pod narrow-linear, silky, ¾ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land & Bongo-land).

I. achyranthoides Taubert.

Stems short from a woody rhizome, minutely pubescent. Leaves simple, obovate-oblanceolate, acutely mucronate, very closely appressed-puberulous. Racemes spike-like, axillary, 3½ in. long. Fls. at length reflexed; calyx-lobes subulate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

I. Schweinfurthii Taubert.

Leaves simple or up to 4-foliate; leaflets linear-oblanceolate acutely mucronate, up to 2 in. long and ⅙ in. broad, appressed-setulose. Racemes much longer than the leaves. Fls. very small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Kutshuk Ali & Bongo-land: by the Lehsi River).

I. arenaria A. Rich.

Small herb densely branched from base. Leaves usually simple rarely 3-5 fol. Flowers axile in subsessile abbreviated racemes; cor. bright purple. Pod narrow-linear, silky, ½ in. long.

Suakin to Berber (Obak); Dongola Prov.

I. pulchra Vahl.

Undershrub, 2-5 ft. high. Leaflets 3-7. Infl. various, panicled or solitary; cor. scarlet, silky outside. Pod small, oblong, villose.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Kutshuk Ali).

I. diphylla Vent.

Woolly herb or undershrub, up to 2 ft. high. Leaflets 2, terminal one longer. Fl. pink in short dense, axillary racemes. Pod linear, beaked silky, ½ in. long.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (50 m. east of El Fasher).

I. bracteolata DC. DERMA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3-5. Racemes with a leaflet-like bract at the base of each reddish flower. Pod small, oblong, mucronate.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); North Kordofan Prov. (W. of Mazrul); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

I. strobilifera Hochst.

Herb, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7. Flowers in dense heads with large roundish bracts concealing the flowers. Pod small, oblong, subterete, mucronate.

White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.

I. spinosa Forsk. SANGADD—Hadendowa.

Branched shrub, with rigid spines 1½ in. long. Leaves simple and 3-fol. Flowers red, solitary from the spines. Pod ½ in. long, linear, mucronate, subtorulose.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit to 22° N.L.); between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Arab).

I. sparsa Baker. var. bongensis Baker fil.

Herb 9 in. high. Leaflets 3-7. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs, axillary. Pod linear, glabrous.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir).

I. suaveolens Jaub. & Spach.

Woody erect herb. Leaflets 3. Flowers solitary to 4 clustered laxly. Pod linear, subtetragonous, 1 in. long.

Kordofan & Darfur Provinces; Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

I. viscosa Lam.

Herb, 1-4 ft. high, branches clothed with glandular hairs; leaflets 7-13. Racemes axillary, 4-6 flowered. Cor. reddish. Pod linear, 1 in. long.

Fung. Prov. (Saoleil); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

I. pilosa Vahl.

Small herb, densely silky. Leaflets 3. Flowers solitary to 4 together, axillary, pink. Pod linear, black when ripe.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Durein); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro).

I. dendroides Jacq.

Erect herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 21-31. Racemes lax, 8-12 flowered; cor. pink. Pod narrow-linear, 1½ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai).

I. parviflora Heyne.

Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7. Fl. lilac, in short axillary racemes. Pod linear, deflexed, silvery when young.

Nubia; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Mongalla Prov.

I. stenophylla Guill. & Perr.

Tall herb. Leaflets 7-13 short pet.; flowers purple or pink in lax axillary racemes. Pod linear-mucronate, up to 2 in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov.

I. Welwitschii Baker.

Branched annual, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 3. Racemes of 4-9 bright red flowers. Pod linear, upcurved.

Bahr El Ghazal (Bongo-land: Addai & Gir).

I. pseudo-subulata Baker fil.

Herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves pinnately trifoliolate; leaflets oblong or narrowly obovate. Racemes many-coloured; peduncle whitish hairy. Pod straight, recurved at the apex, hairy.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Sabbi & Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).

I. subulata Vahl.

Annual or biennial, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 5. Racemes lax, axillary, of ab. 20 flowers; cor. lilac. Pods narrow-linear, deflexed, 1-2 in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).

I. hirsuta Linn.

Villous herb, 2-3 ft. high, with spreading reddish hair. Leaves 5-7 fol. Racemes dense, 2-5 in. long; cor. scarlet; pods deflexed, hairy, linear ¾ in. long.

Blue Nile Prov. (J. Moya); White Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Opposite Tonga); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Um Durein); Mongalla Prov. (Kagulu, Yei River District); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

I. paucifolia Del. DAHASSIR—Arab; LO (Kenissa)—Dinka.

Bushy undershr. with variable leaves; leaflets 3-7; pods torulose, linear, hoary. Flowers in dense axillary racemes; cor. scarlet, silvery outside.

Northern Sudan; Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan, Darfur & Mongalla Provinces.

Good camel fodder. The root, boiled in milk used as a purgative.

I. oblongifolia Forsk. DAHASSIR (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Shrub, silver in all its parts. Leaflets 3-5, obovate-oblong, appressed pubescent on both surfaces, about ½ in. long. Pod torulose, glaucous, 6-8-seeded, ⅔ in. long.

Khartoum Prov. (6th Cataract); Blue Nile and Kordofan Provinces.

I. astragalina DC.

Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 7-11, white hairy. Racemes dense, 1-4 in. long. Cor. yellow; pods narrow-linear, ½ in. long.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Surutj).

I. alternans DC.

Prostrate herb with silvery hairs. Leaflets 7-9. Racemes dense 12-20 flowered. Cor. violet; pods deflected, linear, ½ in. long.

Darfur Prov. (foothills of Jeb. Marra 5,000 ft.).

var. paucijuga Schwfth.

Leaflets 3-5. Pods ⅓ in. long.

Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Haraza).

I. semitrijuga Forsk. EL SHEREI’A (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Bushy herb, glaucous-silvery. Leaflets 3 pairs and an odd one, which is stalked. Racemes 6-12 flowered. Pods linear, ¾ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (coast); between Suakin & Berber; Berber Prov. (near Abu Hamed); Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

I. Garckeana Vatke.

Shrub with winged stems. Leaves pinnate. Leaflets 7-11, ovate or elliptic, 1½-2 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad, finely appressed-pubescent. Racemes dense, ¾ as long as the leaves, with long linear bracts. Pods reflexed, 2 in. long, strigose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

I. Quartiniana A. Rich.

Undershrub, 2-3 ft. high. Leaflets 5-7, thinly silky. Racemes short; cor. purplish. Pod linear, spreading, 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (coast, 22° N.L.).

I. Binderi Kotschy.

Scabrous undershrub. Leaflets 3-7, obovate, emarginate and mucronate. Racemes of ab. 20 flowers.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Bongo-land: Addai).

I. Schimperi Jaub. & Spach.

Much branched shrub, up to 10 ft. high, silvery. Leaflets 5-7, obovate. Flowers purplish, ab. 20 in close, axillary racemes. Pod linear, 1 in. long, deflexed.

Red Sea Prov.

I. secundiflora Poir.

Bushy herb, clothed with red or greyish hairs mixed with stalked glands. Leaves subsessile, 9-13 fol. Racemes dense; cor. reddish. Pod linear-oblong, ¾ in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

I. microcarpa Desv.

Canescent annual or biennial. Leaflets 8-12, opposite, oblanceolate, rounded at the apex. Racemes rather lax-flowered, shorter than the leaves. Pods ellipsoid, ⅙ in. long, strigose.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.).

I. articulata Gouan.

Shrub, up to 12 ft. high, very glaucous. Leaflets 9, opposite, obovate, appressed-pubescent. Racemes about ⅓ as long as the leaves. Pods sickle-shaped, tomentose, torulose, ½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov.; Berber Prov. (Barbadiap, Atbara); Blue Nile Prov. (J. Kon); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé); Red Sea Prov. (Khor Aiet).

I. argentea Linn. NIL BALADI—Arab.

Much-branched shrub, silvery. Leaflets 9, silvery on both sides, obovate. Racemes of 12-20 yellow flowers. Pod falcate, terete, deflected, ½ in. long.

Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).

Yields an indigo.

I. arrecta Hochst.

Much-branched shrub, silky. Leaflets 13-17, oblanceolate, turn black when dried. Racemes of 6-12 yellow flowers. Pod deflexed, linear, up to ¾ in. long.

Blue Nile Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, near Gindi, 7,400 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land & Mittu-land).

The chief Indigo producing plant in Africa, largely cultivated in Java.

I. tinctoria Linn.

Bushy shrub, 2-4 ft. high, with white appressed hairs. Leaflets 7-11; pod linear, cylindrical, apiculate.

Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

Yields a large percentage of the Indigo of commerce. It is also suitable for green manure.

I. emarginella Steud.

Undershrub, 3-4 ft. high, almost glabrous. Leaflets 9, obovate, apex rounded, mucronate. Flowers yellow, in dense axillary conical racemes. Pod narrow-linear, deflexed, ¾ in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Sueh River).

I. anabaptista Steud.

Branched shrub. Leaflets 3-5 oblong-oblanceolate up to 1 in. long, appressed-pilose. Racemes very short. Flowers and pods reflexed, the latter curved, flat, ¾ in. long, laxly pubescent.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Berber Prov. (Zeidab & Shendi); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

I. aspera Perr.

Herb, 1 ft. or more high. Leaflets 5, linear-lanceolate, silvery. Flowers pink, 20-30 in axillary racemes, 2-3 in. long. Pod deflexed, narrow-linear, 1 in. long.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.

I. arabica Jaub. & Spach.

Branched, bushy herb, silky. Leaflets 3-5 obovate, lateral ones often folded, with decurved point. Racemes axillary short, of 6-10 scarlet flowers. Pod linear-oblong, mucronate, subtorulose, under ½ in. long.

White Nile Prov.

I. cordifolia Roth.

Bushy herb, 6-9 in. high, densely villous. Leaves simple, cordate-ovate. Flowers red, in dense axillary clusters, 3-6 together. Pods oblong, cuspidate, minute.

Nubia; Blue Nile & Kordofan Provinces.

I. conjugata Baker

Shrubby; branches almost 4-angled. Leaflets 3, the terminal one up to 2½ in. long and up to ½ in. broad. Racemes axillary; short-stalked, of 20 fl. and more. Cor. yellowish. Pod deflexed, linear, 1 in. long.

White Nile Prov.

I. capitata Kotschy.

Shrub. Leaflets 7-9. Flowers in dense, rounded terminal heads, 1 in. broad; bracts pinnate. Pod oblong, small.

White Nile & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

I. parvula Del.

Trailing herb; leaflets 3, small cuneate. Flowers in lax, subsessile clusters of 2-4. Pod linear, ½ in. long.

Nubia; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

I. costata Guill. & Perr.

Scabrous herb. Leaflets 13-15. Racemes slender, axillary, 2-3 in. long. Cor. pink. Pod linear, deflexed, 1 in. long.

Darfur Prov.

I. oxalidea Welw.

Small herb. Leaflets 3-5, the lateral ones alternate. Racemes lax, of 6-20 purplish flowers. Pod deflexed, linear, under ½ in. long; style persistent.

Fung Prov. (Harun forest); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

I. endecaphylla Jacq.

Bushy herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaflets 7-9, oblong. Racemes dense, 1-4 in. long. Cor. purple. Pod linear, deflexed, ¾ in. long.

Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

I. orthocarpa Baker.

Branched undershrub; pods cylindrical, straight, deflexed. Leaflets 9-13, obovate. Racemes sessile, 10-20 flowered; cor. yellow.

Nubia (from Berber southwards); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.

I. suffruticosa Mill.

Undershrub. Leaflets about 10, oblong or obovate. Pods much curved, ⅔ in. long.

Blue Nile Prov. (J. Moya).

I. tritoides Baker.

Prostrate herb. Leaflets 3, obovate, very acute, up to 1 in. long, densely appressed-pilose. Racemes elongated, lax-flowered. Pods nearly straight, 1¾ in. long, shortly pubescent.

Nubia (Suakin to Berber).

I. near Bainesii Baker.

Erect undershrub; pods recurved, nearly ½ in. long. Leaves simple, narrowly obovate, ⅓ in. long, closely appressed hairy.

Red Sea Prov. (Port Sudan & Dongonab).

301Helminthocarpum abyssinicum A. Rich.

Wiry, silky herb, 1 ft. high. Leaflets 7. Flowers 4-6 together in short-stalked axillary heads. Cor. yellow and red, twice the length of calyx. Pods small, spirally twisted, of 1 spiral only or less.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 7,000 ft.).

302Biserula Pelecinus L.

Slender herb. Leaves pinnate. Leaflets about 12 pairs, obovate, widely emarginate, ⅙ in. long, pilose. Flowers in axillary racemes, few. Fruits flat, 1 in. long, with broad dentate wings.

Darfur Prov. (J. Kurku: Darfur Plain, 3,600 ft.).

303Tephrosia humilis Guill. & Perr.

Herb, under 1 ft. high. Leaflets 9-11, linear-oblong, silky beneath. Racemes leaf-opposed, of 6-12 pink flowers; anthers, in this genus, not apiculate. Pod downy, linear, upcurved, up to 2 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

T. nana Kotschy.

Small herb; leaflets 9-11, linear-oblanceolate. Racemes leaf-opposed, of 6-12 purple flowers. Pod linear, falcate, silky.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

T. Vogelii Hook. f. DAWA NA SAMAKI—Arab (Tuku-Tuku dialect).

Shrub, 10 ft. high, with rusty-silky tomentum. Racemes terminal, of 20-30 flowers, 4-6 in. long. Cor. violet, rarely white, ab. 1 in. deep; style bearded. Pod 5 in. long, ½ in. broad, brown-velvety. Leaflets 17-25.

Mongalla Prov. (Opari District); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Yuru River).

Used to stupefy fish, the leaves and branches are pounded and thrown on the surface of the water; the fish rise after a few minutes and are quite wholesome and fit for food.

T. aff. T. hirtæ. Boj.

Stout, bushy herb with fulvous hairs; pods densely villous.

Mongalla Prov.

T. Kotschyana Hochst.

Leaflets linear-lanceolate, about 2 in. long, finely appressed pilose below; lateral nerves numerous, ascending. Racemes long-stalked, lax-flowered. Pods falcate, 2 in. long, puberulous, about 10-seeded.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

T. linearis Pers.

Copiously branched perennial. Leaflets 5-17 linear, grey-hairy. Racemes lax, 4-8 flowered. Cor. reddish. Pod linear, 1-2 in. long, narrow, downy.

Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Niamniam-land).

T. nubica Baker. UM SABA (Medani)—Arab.

Much-branched undershrub, 12-18 in. high; stems woolly. Racemes terminal or leaf-opposed, 6-12 flowered; cor. pink. Pods densely white-silky, 1-seeded.

Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Serg).

T. obcordata Baker. IDEINAT EL FAR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Woody herb or undershrub. Stem and leaves white woolly. Plant often adorned by white feathery tassel-like galls. Leaves subsessile, simple, obcordate.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur-Kordofan border, 13° N. Lat.

T. rigida Baker.

Undershrub. Leaflets 13-17, linear. Racemes terminal, dense, 2-4 in. long. Cor. pale-red. Pod 2 in. long, ¼ in. broad, slightly upcurved.

Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

T. purpurea Pers.

Much-branched perennial, 1-2 ft. high; leaflets 5-10 pair and a terminal one, on pilose stalk; pods ab. 1½ in. linear, slightly curved, mucronate.

Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid).

Fresh root-bark ground and made into a pill with a little black pepper, is frequently given in cases of obstinate colic.

var. pubescens Baker.

Darfur Prov.

T. leptostachya DC.

Stems ultimately glabrous, but pod silky, slightly falcate, 1¾ in. long. Leaflets about 14, mucronate, 1 in. long, shortly appressed-pubescent. Flowers few, in long lax racemes.

Fung Prov. (Disa); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

T. Apollinea DC. AMAYOK—Arab.

Bushy herb, 12-18 in. high. Leaflets 5-9, oblong. Racemes terminal or lateral, loosely 6-12 flowered; cor. red. Pod narrow-linear, 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (22° N.L.); Wadi Halfa; Dongola Prov. (Merowe); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Medani); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

Said to be used to adulterate Senna.

T. vicioides A. Rich.

Diffusely-branched herb, silky. Leaflets 7-9, obovate-oblong. Flowers purple, axillary, solitary or in pairs. Pod 1 in. long, narrow-linear, recurved.

Berber Prov. (Shendi); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

T. lathyroides Guill. & Perr. UM SABA (Medani)—Arab.

Herb. Leaves pinnate 5-foliolate; leaflets lanceolate, subacute, about 1¼ in. long, thinly setulose. Flowers axillary, clustered. Pod slightly curved, 1¾ in. long, thinly pilose, about 8 seeded.

Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Leimab); Blue Nile Prov. (Medani); Kordofan Prov.

T. uniflora Pers.

Bushy herb. Leaves about 8-foliolate; leaflets very silky, oblanceolate, mucronate, ½-⅔ in. long. Flowers axillary, solitary or paired. Pod slightly curved, 2 in. long, shortly pubescent.

Between Suakin & Berber (Omareg); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (El Greo).

T. lupinifolia DC. KEREIWIT EL GHURAB (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Wide trailing perennial with digitate leaves; leaflets 5-7. Racemes terminal or leaf-opposed, up to 1 ft. long; corolla reddish. Pod linear, sometimes oblong, 1-6 seeded.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Plains 40-80 m. N.E. of El Fasher).

T. emeroides A. Rich. SUREP (Medani)—Arab.

Somewhat woody herb. Leaves pinnately 5-7 fol. Flowers yellow, solitary to 3 in the axils of leaves. Pods 2 in. long, narrow, densely rusty-tomentose.

Blue Nile Prov. (Medani).

T. dichroocarpa Steud.

Tall, hairy herb or undershrub. Leaflets 11-15. Racemes terminal, 6-9 in. long; cor. red. Pod narrow, silky, 2 in. long.

Fung Prov.

T. fulvinervis Hochst.

Herb, 2-3 ft. high; tawny silky. Leaflets 9-13, linear, the midrib tawny. Racemes lateral with 3-4 distant, tawny-silky flowers. Pod 2 in. long, narrow, silky.

Kordofan Prov.

T. subtriflora Hochst.

Perennial. Leaflets 5-7. Flowers 1-3, sessile in axils of the leaves; cor. purple. Pod 1¼ in. long, narrow.

Dongola & Kordofan Provinces.

T. anthylloides Hochst. UM ATFEIR—Arab.

Bushy herb or undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 7-9. Flowers 1-3 axillary, purple. Pod up to 2½ in. long.

Khartoum Prov. (J. Malakit); Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.

T. longipes Meissn.

Herb; leaflets up to 9, linear, up to 2 in. long. Racemes terminal and lateral, of 6-10 purple flowers. Pod 2 in. long; linear, straight.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

T. incana Graham.

Grey woolly undershrub or herb. Leaflets 11-13 oblanceolate. Racemes terminal or lateral, 6-12 in. long, lower flowers in clusters of 3-4; cor. reddish. Pod deflexed and recurved, 2 in. long, very silky.

Kordofan Prov. (Gefil).

304Mundulea suberosa Benth.

Small tree or large arborescent shrub; young twigs pilose; leaflets 13-23. Racemes terminal and leaf-opposed 4-6 in. long; cor. red. Pod 3-5 in. long and under ½ in. broad, torulose, silky.

Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).

305Milletia Barteri Dunn.

Leaflets 4 pairs and an odd one, opposite, obovate-elliptic, obtusely acuminate, 3-4 in. long, 2 in. broad, glabrous. Flowers rose, in large panicles. Calyx cupular, silky.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Yabo River).

306Sesbania punctata DC. TAURI—Arab.

Erect shrub with paripinnate leaves. Leaflets 20-50 pair. Racemes 6-12 flowered; corolla yellow, much spotted with purple. Pod 8-12 in. long.

Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov.

Recommended for growing as a green manure.

S. ægyptiaca Pers. SESABAN—Arab; KAILKAIL (Dilling) & KENTII (J. Eliri)—Nuba.

Copiously branched shrub, 6-10 ft. high. Leaflets 10-20 pairs; pod pendulous, narrowly linear, usually somewhat twisted, 6-8 in. long. Racemes 6-12 flowered; cor. yellow.

Found in most parts of the Sudan. In India the bark is made into ropes, and the wood into charcoal; the leaves furnish cattle fodder. It is very quick-growing and forms a good temporary shelter for slower-growing plants.

S. ægyptiaca Pers. var. bicolor Wight & Arn. SENA—Arab.

Standard petal and tips of wing-petals suffused with purple.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Khartoum Prov.; Fung, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.

S. aculeata Pers.

Erect herb, 2-4 ft. high; branches ascending, more or less prickly. Leaflets 20-50 pairs; pod 6-9 in. long, erect or spreading, not twisted. Cor. pale yellow.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov.

Yields a fibre durable under water, and useful for ropes and fishing nets. Suitable for a green manure.

S. microphylla Harms.

Small herb; flowers yellow mottled with purple or black spots. Leaflets very small, about ⅙ in. long. Pod 4½ in. long, linear, moniliform.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab).

S. mossambicensis Klotzsch.

Small herb; corolla standard striate, not mottled. Leaflets as in preceding species. Pod 2½ in. long, moniliform.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Yubbo River).

S. pachycarpa DC.

Annual, 1-3 ft. high; corolla dotted; pod about 6 in. long, ¼ in. broad. Leaflets 15-20 pairs, linear-oblong, ½-¾ in. long.

Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

S. arabica Hochst. SURA & TAURI (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Claws of corolla appendaged; standard conspicuously spotted. A tall herb. Leaflets up to 30 pairs, linear-oblong, ⅔ in long. Pods much constricted between the seeds.

Fung Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

S. tetraptera Hochst. SURIB (Fung), & ?KOL (White Nile)—Arab.

Shrubby herb up to 3 or 4 ft. high. Pod 4-winged. Leaflets 15-20 pairs. Racemes 4-6 flowered; cor. yellow.

Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Nuba Mts. Prov.

The leaves are eaten as a pot-herb.

307Astragalus prolixus Sieb.

Prostrate herb, 1 ft. or more long, silky. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 11-13. Racemes 6-12 flowered. Pod oblong-turgid, partly divided inside by a longitudinal membrane, ¼ in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola Prov.; between Berber & Khartoum; Khartoum Prov.

May be one of the several species which yield “Gum-Tragacanth.”

A. abyssinicus Steud.

Shrubby herb, 3-4 ft. long. Side-leaflets 10-15 pair. Racemes dense, 4-6 long. Cor. yellow. Pod 1 in. long, linear, completely divided inside by a longitudinal membrane.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8-9,000 ft.).

308Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.

Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets about 6 pairs, oblong-lanceolate, emarginate, 1½ in. long, ⅔ in. broad, gland-dotted below. Flowers in slender axillary racemes half as long as the leaves.

Sudan; Libyan Desert (Khor Wau).

309Taverniera lappacea DC.

Stems procumbent, shrubby. Joints of the pods with rigid hooked bristles. Leaves 3-fol. Flowers yellowish, axillary, solitary or in pairs.

Nubia.

T. ægyptica Boiss.

Much-branched low shrub; pods densely bristly. Leaves simple, obovate-cuneate. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary.

Nubia.

310Alhagi maurorum Desv.

Low shrub, 1-3 ft. high, armed with spreading spines, 1 in. long. Leaves simple, obovate-oblong, drooping from spines and branches. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs from the spines. Pod falcate, 1 in. long.

Nubia.

Said to yield “manna.” The plant has antibilious properties.

311Herminiera Elaphroxylon Guill. & Perr. AMBATCH, AMBAJ & TUROR—Arab; ADĪT (Kenissa) & WOR (Renk)—Dinka; RUR & TYEF—Nuer.

Small tree with showy yellow flowers and prickly branches. Stems swollen at base consist of pith-like substance. Leaves abruptly pinnate; stamens monadelphous; pods spirally contorted.

Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile (from Abba Island southwards) & affluents; Kordofan Prov. (Rahad).

The swollen stems which consist of pith, are used to make rafts and canoes. This species is very similar to Æschynomene Pfundii Taub.

H. excelsa Kotschy. ?ADDIT (Renk)—Dinka.

White Nile Prov.

This and the next species are known only by name.

H. humilis Kotschy.

Fung Prov.

312Æschynomene uniflora E. Meyer.

Shrubby up to 4 ft. high. Legumes deeply sinuate, dividing into dissepiments. Leaflets 10-20 pair, sensitive. Flowers mostly solitary, yellow.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

Æ. Indica Linn.

Annual, 1-3 ft. high. Leaflets 40-70, alternate, sessile; pod 1-1½ in., narrow, slightly curved, glabrous. Flowers pale yellow, 2-4 in. lax, short-peduncled racemes.

Kordofan Prov. (in marshes); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Shambé, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Bor); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

Æ. cristata Vatke.

Shrub with hollow stems. Leaflets about 20 pairs, narrowly oblong, ⅓ in. long, nearly glabrous. Flowers few, axillary, pedunculate. Petals crested. Pods flat, breaking up into segments.

Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).

Æ. Rüppellii Baker.

Low shrub; twigs viscid, brown. Leaflets 8-12 pair. Racemes axillary 6-8 flowered; cor. yellow. Pods ¼ in. long, with 2 constricted joints.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

Æ. nilotica Taub.

Twiggy. Leaves very short. Leaflets about 12 pairs, oblong, mucronate, ⅙ in. long. Flowers subsolitary. Petals slightly fringed.

White Nile Prov. (by J. Nyemati).

Æ. Pfundii Taub.

Shrub 6-8 ft., with soft wood. Leaflets numerous, oblong, serrulate, 1 in. long. Flowers few in racemes. Calyx villous. Petals not crested. Pods ¾ in. broad, pilose, breaking up into narrowly oblong segments.

Kordofan Prov. (Bir Rahad); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

This species closely resembles Herminiera Elaphroxylon G. & P., but branches not spiny.

Æ. aspera Linn. f.

Perennial 2-4 ft. high, stem spongy, pith-like; pod 3-4 in. long, over ¼ in. wide, nearly straight, 6-7 jointed, each joint with sharp asperities in the centre. Leaflets 40-70 or more.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

The Sola Pith Plant of commerce. The soft pith-like wood is used in India to make helmets, floats, toys, etc. It is also used in surgery for the manufacture of tampons.

Æ. Telekii Schwfth.

Tree. Leaflets numerous, narrowly oblong, ⅓ in. long, glabrous. Flowers solitary, pedicellate, large. Petals crested. Pods with yellowish bristly hairs, flat, 3 in. long, not jointed.

Banks of the Nile.

Æ. Schimperi Hochst.

Annual, 2-3 ft. high.; pod articulated, smooth or bristly, divisions 10-15. Leaflets 12-30 pairs, sensitive. Flowers solitary or in pairs, axillary.

White Nile Prov.

313Smithia Kotschyi Benth.

Erect shrub; branches covered with weak yellow bristles. Leaflets 20 pairs. Racemes axillary, 6-12 flowered. Pod 7-8 jointed, small.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

S. Schweinfurthii Taub.

Shrub with long leafy branches with scattered hairs. Leaflets about 10 pairs, obliquely oblong, 3-nerved at the base, ⅓ in. long. Flowers with leathery striate bracts and sepals nearly hiding the corolla.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: by the Doguru).

314Stylosanthes flavicans Baker.

Copiously branched herb. Leaves 3-fol. Flowers in dense terminal heads; bracts densely imbricated; stamens monadelphous. Pod ¼ in. long, with 2 articulations.

Kordofan Prov.

315Arachis hypogæa Linn. FUL-SUDANI—Arab; BUL GWATH (Zeraf)—Nuer; WANDE—Zande. The Earth-nut or Monkey-nut.

Diffuse herb. Leaflets 4. Flowers axillary, solitary, yellow. The pod buries itself in the ground to ripen.

Cultivated everywhere for food.

316Zornia diphylla Pers.

Prostrate or ascending annual. Leaflets 2, dotted; stamens monadelphous; pod indehiscent, jointed; joints 2-5, set with short straight spines.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

A useful fodder.

317Desmodium spirale DC.

Annual 1-2 ft. high. Leaflets 3. Racemes terminal and axillary; cor. greenish and purple. Pod ½ in. long with 4-6 joints, often spirally twisted.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

D. gangeticum DC.

Procumbent herb; leaves 1 fol.; flowers rose-red; pod small, sessile, somewhat curved, joints 4-8.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: shady Khors and woody places); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

D. dimorphum Welw.

Branched undershrub, 2 ft. high. Leaves oblong, rounded or cordate at base. Racemes 1 in. long, sessile, axillary and terminal; cor. red. Pod ¼ in. long, lower margin deeply sinuate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).

D. lasiocarpum DC.

Erect undershrub, 3-6 ft. high, densely brown pubescent.

Leaves cordate-ovate, 4-5 in. long. Racemes axillary and terminal; cor. red. Pod ¾ in. long, hispid, 4-5; jointed lower margin deeply sinuate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir, Niamniam-land).

D. sennaarense Schwfth.

Densely hispid undershrub. Stipules cordate, amplexicaul; leaflets 3, central ovate, 3-4 in. long. Racemes stalked; corolla reddish. Pod 1 in. long, joints 4 to 6, lower margin slightly waved.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung. Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

D. Scalpe DC.

Erect undershrub. Leaves 3-fol., ovate, 1½-2½ in., the terminal somewhat larger, rhomboidal; flowers light red, in pairs on terminal panicles; pods constricted; joints 3-4, as broad as long, much sinuate.

Blue Nile Prov. (Geneib Assad); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Wadi Gindi, 7,300 ft.).

D. Dregeanum Benth.

Grey silky undershrub. Leaflets 3. Flowers in short terminal panicles. Pod ½ in. long, slightly waved beneath, 2-4 jointed.

Æthiopia.

D. paleaceum Guill. & Perr.

Semi-woody, erect, 3-4 ft. high. Leaflets 3, central ovate, 3-5 in. long. Racemes axillary and terminal, stalked; cor. reddish. Pod ab. ¾ in. long, slightly indented below, articulations 4-5, stiff-hairy.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).

D. delicatulum A. Rich.

Annual, 9 in. high, silky. Lower leaves simple, upper 3-fol. Racemes terminal, sessile, 2-4 flowered. Pod ab. ½ in. long, 4-6 jointed, glabrous, lower suture indented ⅓ down.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

D. triflorum DC.

Matted, trailing herb. Leaves small, lower ones often 1-fol., otherwise 3-fol., glabrous ab. slightly silky beneath; flowers very small, usually 3 together in axils of leaves; pods up to ½ in. long, slightly constricted on ventral margin, 2-4 jointed.

Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

Would make a good green manure and cover crop.

318Pseudarthria confertiflora Baker.

Erect undershrub. Leaflets 3, terminal one 3-4 in. long, ovate-oblong. Racemes axillary and terminal, the latter often compound. Pod linear, not articulated.

White Nile Prov.

P. Hookeri Wight & Arn.

Undershrub, 3-4 ft. high, downy. Leaflets 3, central obovate, 4-6 in. long. Flowers red, in dense terminal panicles. Pod 1 in. long, linear, torulose, downy.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Addai & Niamniam-land: Nganye).

P. sp.

Leaflets 3, the central ovate, acute, 5 in. long, 3 in. broad, softly pubescent below, widely crenate. Flowers very small in lax terminal panicles.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land: Kulensho).

319Uraria picta Desv.

Semi-shrubby perennial; leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 5-7; flowers small, blue, in dense cylindrical spikes, up to 18 in. long.

Banks of the White Nile; Mongalla Prov.: Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

Reported to be a remedy for snakebite in India.

320Alysicarpus monilifer DC. FERAISHA (Kordofan)—Arab.

Diffuse herb. Leaves small, 1-fol., ovate, usually cordate; pods with 2-6 globose, pubescent swellings. Racemes axillary and terminal.

Kordofan Prov.

A. vaginalis DC.

Diffuse herb, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves up to 2 in. long, 1-fol., variable in shape; pod glabrous, little or not moniliform, ½-¾ in. long. Racemes denser than above.

Nubia; South Kordofan Prov. (Um Durein); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek & Niamniam-land: by the Ibba River).

A. Zeyheri Hard.

Branched perennial, 1 ft. high. Leaflet 1, cordate-oblong. Racemes terminal, lax, ¾ in. long. Pod under ½ in. long with 3-4 distinct constrictions.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Gir).

A. rugosus DC. SHELĪNI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Copiously branched herb, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves 1-fol., linear-oblong; corolla violet purple; pods moniliform, much wrinkled, 2-5 jointed, short.

Nubia; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambé).

321Cicer arietinum Linn. HUMMUS—Arab; Chick Pea or Gram.

Annual, up to 18 in. high. Leaves pinnate, rachis ending in a tendril; leaflets 12-16, deep-dentate. Flowers purple, solitary, axillary. Pod oblong, silky, ¾ in. long.

Cultivated generally.

322Vicia faba Linn. FUL—Arab. The Bean plant.

Cultivated generally.

323Lens esculentus Moench. ’ADS SURGAM (Dongola)—Arab.

Dongola Prov. (Cultivated).

324Lathyrus sativus Linn. GILBAN—Arab. Chickling Vetch.

Herb. Leaves 2-fol., the rachis ending in a tendril. Flowers reddish-purple, solitary, axillary. Pod 1½ in. long, oblong, narrowly winged on each side of the dorsal suture.

Cultivated mainly in North Sudan.

325Abrus precatorius Linn. HABIL ER RUS or HABILARUS—Arab; YAGOMO—Golo.

Twining perennial. Leaves abruptly pinnate, deciduous; leaflets 10-15 pairs; inflorescence shorter than leaves; cor. reddish; pods oblong; seed polished, bright scarlet, tipped with black.

Fung & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

The root is said to be a substitute for liquorice. The seeds are used as a purgative, only small doses being given. They are also used in affections of the eyes. When raw, the seeds are poisonous, but the active principle, Abrin, is destroyed by boiling.

A. pulchellus Willd.

Differs from above by having inflorescence longer than leaves, which have only 5-10 pairs of leaflets; pods linear and seeds black. Cor. pale-purple.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

A. Schimperi Hochst.

Shrub with slender woody branches; seeds dark brown. Leaflets 12-15 pairs. Racemes lax, 3-4 in. long; cor. reddish.

Nubia (Ronga); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).

326Clitoria ternatea Linn. ERG EL AGRAB & TAWILA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GRENAME (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.

Herbaceous twiner. Leaves imparipinnate, with stipels; 5-7-fol. Flowers large, over 1 in. long; corolla blue (in wild plants light blue); standard very large; pod linear, ab. 3 in. long.

Nubia; Khartoum Prov. (cultivated); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein, White Nile Prov. to Meshra El Zeraf); Upper White Nile Prov.

The root is powerful cathartic, like jalap; the powdered seeds are also purgative. An infusion of leaves is used for eruptions, and the pounded root is applied to scorpion stings.

327Glycine hedysaroides Willd.

Climbing perennial. Leaflets 3. Flowers 4-6 in axillary racemes. Cor. pale red. Pod 1½ in. long, straight, flat, 5-6 seeded.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

G. Borianii Baker.

Herbaceous twiner. Leaves 1-3 fol.; flowers red, 12-20 in subsessile axillary racemes. Pod linear, silky, 2-seeded.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).

G. javanica Linn.

Herbaceous twiner; young shoots very silky. Leaves 3-fol., with stipels; corolla bright red, in copious peduncled axillary racemes, linear, nearly straight, silky, 4-6 seeded.