Part 1
FLORA OF THE SUDAN
Flora of the Sudan
BY A. F. BROUN, _Formerly Director of Woods and Forests_,
AND
R. E. MASSEY, _Government Botanist_.
_With a Conspectus of Groups of Plants and Artificial Key to Families_
BY J. HUTCHINSON, F.L.S., ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW.
* * * * * _Published with the consent of the Sudan Government._ * * * * *
Obtainable from THE CONTROLLER, SUDAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WELLINGTON HOUSE, BUCKINGHAM GATE, LONDON, S.W.I. PRICE P.T. 50 or 10/- 1929.
MADE IN ENGLAND BY THOMAS MURBY & CO., 1, FLEET LANE, LONDON, E.C.4.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE vii
ABBREVIATIONS x
GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS 1
CONSPECTUS OF PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF PLANTS AS ARRANGED IN THIS FLORA 15
KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF DICOTYLEDONES 16
KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF MONOCOTYLEDONES 45
SYSTEMATIC ENUMERATION OF FAMILIES, GENERA AND SPECIES:—
Gymnospermæ 48
Angiospermæ:—
Dicotyledones 49
Monocotyledones 365
INDEXES TO NATIVE NAMES:—
Arabic Names 486
Hadendowa „ 490
Rashida „ 491
Nuba „ 491
Dinka „ 492
Jur „ 493
Golo „ 493
Bari „ 494
Hameg „ 494
Nuer „ 495
Shilluk „ 495
Burun „ 495
Bongo „ 495
Zande „ 495
Krej „ 496
Indogo „ 496
Tuku-Tuku „ 496
Kaliko „ 496
Makraka „ 496
INDEX TO GENERIC NAMES 496
INDEX TO FAMILY NAMES 501
PREFACE
In the Appendix of his Report on the Forests of the Sudan, published in 1901, Mr. C. E. Muriel, of the Imperial Indian Forest Service, gave a list of the more common trees and shrubs and of a few other plants, together with short descriptions and statements on their uses and economic value, also their Arabic and, where possible, the Hameg names.
At the end of that year the Sudan Government gave me the appointment of Director of Woods and Forests. At that time only few of the volumes of the Flora of Tropical Africa had appeared and the earliest ones were already antiquated. During the numerous journeys taken by me in various parts of the Sudan, my wife and I were able to collect a large number of plants, making at the same time notes of their names in various languages of the Sudan, and their economic and other uses. I also received considerable help, as regards Golo names, from the late Mr. S. Skirmunt, then Deputy Inspector of Forests in the Bahr el Ghazal Province. By 1906 I had gathered sufficient material both from my trips and from the Kew Herbarium to draw up a rough “Catalogue of Sudan Flowering Plants,” giving short descriptions, a number of vernacular names and some economic and other uses, many of which were obtained from Watt’s Dictionary of Economic Products.[1] As it was somewhat hastily got up it was printed by the Sudan Government not for general circulation, but for the use of Sudan officials only.
During the years which followed, up to my retirement in 1910, I was able to add to the list a considerable number of names both scientific and vernacular. I am indebted for the help I received, as regards Kordofan plants, to Mr. H. B. MacMichael, of the Sudan Civil Service, and, as regards the Red Sea littoral, to Mr. Cyril Crossland, at that time Marine Biologist to the Sudan Government.
After my retirement Mr. R. E. Massey was appointed, in 1912, Sudan Government Botanist, and I had the good fortune of securing his co- operation in bringing out a more complete Catalogue of the Flowering Plants of the Sudan. Mr. Massey, by his presence on the spot, and by his technical knowledge, has been able to give to the present Catalogue a greater completeness and finish than I should have been capable of unaided; he was also able to get further assistance from other persons in the Sudan. He particularly and gratefully acknowledges the help he received from Mrs. Crowfoot, wife of Mr. J. W. Crowfoot, Director of Education, in a variety of ways, such as collections of plants, Hadendowa and other vernacular names, and drawings and paintings of plants. A number of Dinka and Shilluk names were also given by Mr. H. C. Jackson, of the Sudan Civil Service, and Nuer names by the late Major Stigand. A collection of plants of the Burun country, with their vernacular names, was received from Dr. Kamar, of the Egyptian Army, a further collection by Mr. Sillitoe, superintendent of Gardens, Khartoum, from the Lado District, and one from Admiral Lynes, C.B., C.M.G., in Darfur, mostly in the region of the range of mountains, called Jebel Marra, which attains an elevation of over 10,000 ft., and bears a flora quite distinct from all other parts of the Sudan.
The Catalogue was at first compiled without any descriptive matter, but Mr. R. Hewison, Director of Agriculture and Forests, Sudan Government, speaking on behalf of that Government, which is defraying the costs of printing this book, expressed an opinion that it would be more useful to officials in the Sudan if short descriptions were added. In order, therefore, to supply these as quickly as possible we depended very largely on descriptions in the Flora of Tropical Africa, which we shortened considerably. My wife and I worked this out as far as and including the Cyperaceæ, and Mr. Massey undertook to do the grasses, part only of which have as yet appeared in the Flora. He desires to acknowledge the aid received from Mr. C. E. Hubbard in the preparation of the key to the Grasses. Mr. J. Hutchinson kindly helped us with plants in the Kew Herbarium which have not been described in the Flora. But a further acknowledgment is due to Mr. Hutchinson. He has regrouped the Natural Orders according to the system described in his recent book, _The Families of Flowering Plants, I. Dicotyledons_,[2] and has also furnished a key to the Classification, thus bringing this book into line with all the African Regional Floras which are to be taken in hand. He has also consented to look over the proofs. Our most cordial thanks are due for his help.
My wife has been constantly associated with me in my share of the work from the time when we collected material in the Sudan until now, and deserves also to earn her share of whatever credit may be given for this work.
Finally, I wish to record the debt of gratitude which we owe to Dr. Hill, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to Mr. Cotton, the Keeper of the Herbarium, to Dr. Stapf, the late Keeper, and to the Staff of the Herbarium, most particularly Mr. C. H. Wright, Mr. Dunn, Miss Hughes, and Mr. Skan for the numerous acts of kindness and help which they have given us, making thus our work light and pleasant.
A. F. BROUN.
“OAKLANDS,”
AMPTHILL,
_Dec. 18th,_ 1925.
Note.—Owing to various causes, for which we are not responsible, the printing of this book has been considerably delayed. Mrs. Crowfoot, to whom reference has been made above, is now bringing out a companion volume to this, containing drawings of various plants from the Northern and Central Sudan.
My dear wife, who shared all my work, died on the 11th April, 1927.
A. F. BROUN.
AMPTHILL,
_March 20th,_ 1928.
ABBREVIATIONS.
ab. stands for about
acumin. „ „ acuminate
alt. „ „ alternate
anth. „ „ anther or anthers
artic. „ „ articulate
cal. „ „ calyx
capit. „ „ capitulum
caps. „ „ capsule
cm. „ „ centimetre
cor. „ „ corolla
diam. „ „ diameter
excl. „ „ excluding
filam. „ „ filament or filaments
fl. „ „ flower or flowers
fld. „ „ flowered
fol. „ „ foliolate
foll. „ „ follicle or follicles
fr. „ „ fruit or fruits
ft. „ „ foot or feet
hermaphr. „ „ hermaphrodite
heterog. „ „ heterogamous
homog. „ „ homogamous
hypog. „ „ hypogynous
in. „ „ inch or inches
incl. „ „ including
infl. „ „ inflorescence
interpet. „ „ interpetiolar
invol. „ „ involucre
l. „ „ leaf or leaves
lanc. „ „ lanceolate
lin. „ „ linear
obl. „ „ oblong
obov. „ „ obovate
opp. „ „ opposite
pan. „ „ panicle or panicles
ped. „ „ peduncle or peduncles
pedic. „ „ pedicel or pedicels
per. „ „ perianth
pet. „ „ petiole or petioles
rac. „ „ raceme or racemes
recept. „ „ receptacle
segm. „ „ segment or segments
st. or sta. „ „ stamen or stamens
stip. „ „ stipule or stipules
suborbic. „ „ suborbicular
undershr. „ „ undershrub
GLOSSARY OF BOTANICAL TERMS
=abruptly pinnate=, when the leaflets are arranged in pairs along the rhachis of a compound leaf without a terminal one.
=acaulescent=, without stem or apparently so.
=accrescent=, applied to a calyx or corolla, enlarging after flowering.
=achene=, a dry indehiscent, one-seeded fruit.
=acicular=, needle-like.
=aculeate=, prickly and pointed.
=acuminate=, narrowed at the apex into a long point.
=acute=, tapering to a sharp point.
=-adelphous=, suffix used to show the number of bundles of stamens there are in a flower where these are joined by their filaments; see =monadelphous=, =diadelphous=, =polyadelphous=.
=adhesion=, the union of dissimilar parts of a flower, _e.g._, calyx and ovary.
=adnate=, attached through their whole length, usually the smaller to the greater.
=adpressed=, see =appressed=.
=æstivation=, the arrangement of sepals and petals in bud.
=agglomerate=, crowded together in a bunch.
=alternate=, applied to leaves when only one issues from each node and the next above or below is on another side of the stem.
=amplexicaul=, when a leaf, stipule or bract embraces the stem.
=ampulliform=, flask-shaped.
=andrœcium=, the male organs of a flower, considered as a whole.
=-androus=, suffix used to show the number of stamens, _e.g._, pentandrous, with 5 stamens.
=annual=, a plant which lives only one year.
=anterior=, in front.
=anther=, the upper part of a stamen, bearing pollen.
=anticous=, foremost.
=apetalous=, flowers without petals.
=apex=, the tip.
=apiculate=, with a small hard point at the tip.
=appressed=, pressed close to something else.
=aril= or =arillus=, a fleshy covering of some seeds.
=aristate=, when the point of a leaf is fine like a hair.
=articulate=, jointed and separating freely.
=ascending=, sloping upwards.
=auricles=, appendages at the base of the leaf-blade.
=awn=, a thread-like extension of a seed or other organ (as in barley).
=axil=, the angle formed at the attachment of a leaf or a flower to the stem.
=axillary=, arising from the axil.
=axile=, of ovules when attached to the central axis of the ovary.
=barren=, when a flower produces no seed or pollen.
=basifixed=, when an anther is attached by its base to the filament.
=berry=, a pulpy fruit containing one or several seeds.
=biennial=, a plant living for two years only.
=bifid=, 2-cleft.
=bipinnate=, when the divisions of a pinnate leaf are again pinnate (_e.g._ =Acacia=).
=bipinnatifid=, when the segments of a pinnatifid leaf are also pinnately lobed.
=bipinnatipartite=, when the segments of a pinnatipartite leaf are also deeply and pinnately lobed.
=biternate=, when the parts of a ternate leaf are also ternately divided.
=blade= (or =lamina=), the upper, usually broader part of a leaf.
=bract=, a small leaf, usually differing from foliage leaves in shape or colour, at the base of a flower stalk; also the divisions of an involucre.
=bracteoles=, the last minute bracts under each flower.
=bud=, a leaf or flower before it opens.
=bulb=, a modified, usually underground stem, more or less globose in shape, clothed with succulent leaves or scales (_e.g._, the =Onion=).
=caducous=, falling off early.
=calyptrate=, with hood-like covering on flower or fruit.
=calyx=, the outer envelope of a flower, made up of sepals.
=campanulate=, bell-shaped.
=cancellate=, resembling a grill, or latticed.
=canescent=, hoary.
=capillary=, hair-like, very fine.
=capitate=, arranged in a head.
=capitulum= or =head=, when several sessile (or nearly so) flowers are collected into a compact head-like cluster at the end of the axis.
=capsule=, a dry dehiscent seed-vessel composed of 2 or more carpels and usually containing several seeds.
=carpel=, the leaf of one of the leaves forming the ovary.
=caudate=, produced at the apex into a long, tail-like appendage.
=cauline=, growing from the stem.
=cell=, a unit of plant growth, also a subdivision of the ovary, _e.g._, 5-celled ovary.
=ciliate=, fringed with long hairs.
=circinate=, rolled up like the top of a bishop’s crozier.
=cirrhate=, with curled or forked tendrils.
=cladode=, a flattened branch taking on the appearance and functions of a leaf (_e.g._, =Asparagus=).
=clavate=, club-shaped, _i.e._, cylindrical, but getting broader at the apex.
=claw=, the narrowed base of a petal.
=club-shaped=, see =clavate=.
=coccus=, 1-seeded carpel of a dehiscent fruit.
=column=, applied to stamens and style when confluent, as in =Asclepiadaceæ= and =Orchidaceæ=.
=compound inflorescence=, when an inflorescence, such as a =raceme=, =umbel=, etc., is subdivided into subsidiary inflorescences, and forms a =panicle=, =compound umbel=, etc.
=compound leaf=, when a leaf is divided into segments right down to the midrib, so that each segment forms an individual =leaflet= which can drop off by itself at the fall of the leaves.
=connate=, when two or more like-parts of a flower are united.
=connective=, the portion of the anther which unites the two cells.
=connivent=, converging.
=cordate=, heart-shaped, _i.e._, of a leaf, with 2 rounded basal lobes and ovate, unless otherwise mentioned.
=coriaceous=, thick and tough, like leather.
=corm=, a bulb-shaped solid underground stem, in which reserve material is stored.
=corolla=, the inner envelope of a flower (not always present), made up of petals.
=corona=, a crown-like excrescence between corolla and stamens.
=corymb=, a raceme, the lower pedicels of which are gradually lengthened so as to bring all its flowers on the same level.
=costate=, ribbed.
=cotyledon=, one of the (or the) first seed-leaves.
=crenate=, with rounded teeth.
=crenulate=, with small rounded teeth.
=culm=, the stem of =Bamboos=.
=cuneate=, wedge-shaped.
=cuspidate=, tipped with a sharp point.
=cyme=, an inflorescence in which the flowers are produced centrifugally on successive lateral axes.
=deciduous=, applied to plants whose leaves are all shed at a certain season of the year.
=decompound=, several times subdivided or compound, applied to leaves or inflorescence.
=decumbent=, spreading horizontally, then turning upwards.
=decurrent=, applied to leaves, the margins of which run down the stem below the insertion of the petiole.
=decussate=, when leaves are in pairs successively at right angles to each other on the stem.
=dehiscent=, splitting (of fruits to let out the seeds).
=dentate=, dog-toothed, _i.e._, with teeth of equal sides.
=denticulate=, finely dog-toothed.
=diadelphous=, of stamens when they are joined by their filaments into two groups, _e.g._, some of the =Papilionaceæ=.
=diandrous=, with 2 stamens.
=dichotomous=, applied to a stem, branch or inflorescence which forks again and again.
=dicotyledons=, with two seed-leaves.
=didymous=, divided into two lobes, in pairs.
=didynamous=, with two long and two short stamens.
=diffuse=, widely and loosely spreading.
=digitate=, applied to a compound leaf, the leaflets of which spread like the fingers of a hand.
=diœcious=, of plants the stamens of which are in flowers on one individual and the ovary and style on another.
=disc= or =disk=, the receptacle on which are set flowers in a capitulum, as in =Compositæ=, or at the base of the ovary within the flower.
=disc-florets=, the regular tubular florets of certain =Compositæ=, which, if accompanied by ligulate florets, occupy the centre of the disc, while the latter are on the rim and called ray-florets.
=distichous=, arranged in the same plane, _i.e._, at two right angles to each other.
=divaricate=, widely spreading.
=drupe=, a fleshy indehiscent fruit containing a “stone” in which the seed is enclosed.
=echinate=, covered with prickles, like a hedgehog.
=elliptical=, shaped like an ellipse, oval.
=emarginate=, notched, usually at the apex of a leaf or petal.
=ensiform=, sword-shaped.
=entire=, applied to the margin of a leaf which is not toothed or notched.
=epicalyx=, applied to a row of bracts, sometimes joined together, outside the calyx, _e.g._, some of the =Malvaceæ=.
=epigynous=, apparently seated upon the ovary.
=epipetalous=, applied to stamens seated on the petals.
=epiphyte=, a plant which grows on another without being parasitic, _e.g._, some =Orchids=.
=evergreen=, applied chiefly to shrubs and trees which bear leaves all the year round.
=exserted=, protruding, applied chiefly to stamens which show outside the flower.
=exstipulate=, having no stipules.
=extra-axillary=, from outside the axil.
=falcate=, scythe- or sickle-shaped.
=fascicled= or =fasciculate=, in bundles or tufts.
=fastigiate=, with parallel erect clustered branches.
=fertile=, capable of bearing fruit, applied also to stamens bearing pollen.
=-fid=, a suffix, meaning split, _e.g._, =bifid=, split in two, =trifid=, split in three, etc.
=filament=, the stalk of a stamen.
=filiform=, thread-like.
=fimbriate=, with a fringed margin.
=flabellate= or =flabelliform=, fan-shaped.
=flexuose=, bent alternately to right and to left.
=floccose=, with tufts of wool.
=foliaceous=, having the appearance or texture of leaves.
=follicle=, a carpel opening at the inner suture only, _e.g._, some =Asclepiadiaceæ= and =Apocynaceæ=.
=-foliolate=, used to denote the number of leaflets, _e.g._, =trifoliolate=, with 3 leaflets, etc.
=free=, not united.
=fruticose=, shrubby.
=fugaceous=, falling off early.
=funicle=, the stalk attaching the seed to the placenta.
=fusiform=, spindle-shaped.
=gamopetalous=, when all the petals of a corolla are united.
=gamophyllous=, when the leaves of a perianth are joined together.
=gamosepalous=, when the sepals of a calyx are joined together.
=geminate=, in pairs.
=gibbous=, swollen or humped on one side.
=glabrate=, almost hairless.
=glabrous=, smooth, without hairs.
=gland=, an organ of secretion, represented by a small lump, which is sometimes stalked and called a =stipitate= gland.
=glandular hairs= are hairs which are enlarged at the top and contain a viscous secretion.
=glaucous=, with a bluish waxy bloom.
=glochidiate=, applied to hairs or bristles hooked at the top.
=glume= is one of the bracts enclosing the flowers of sedges and grasses.
=glumule=, the bract which forms the exterior covering of each flower of a spikelet in grasses.
=granular=, covered with numerous minute excrescences.
=gymnosperms=, plants whose ovules are naked, _i.e._, not enclosed in carpels, _e.g._, =Gnetaceæ= and =Cycadaceæ=.
=gynæcium=, the female organs of a flower.
=gynobasic=, of a style when it arises at or near the base of the ovary, _e.g._, =Labiatæ=.
=gynophore=, applied to the receptacle below the ovary when elongated and stalk-like.
=-gynous=, suffix used to show the number of carpels in an ovary, _e.g._, trigynous, with 3 carpels.
=habit=, the habitual shape of a plant as it stands.
=habitat=, the locality which a plant selects for growing in on account of suitability of climate, soil, elevation, etc., etc.
=hastate=, halberd-shaped, applied to leaves the basal lobes of which are pointed and turned outwards at right angles to the axis of the leaf.
=head=, see =capitulum=.
=herbaceous=, tender and green, not woody.
=hermaphrodite=, applied to flowers having both male and female organs.
=hilum=, a scar on a seed showing the place of its attachment to the fruit.
=hirsute=, with long, rough hairs.
=hispid=, with stiff hairs or bristles.
=hoary=, with short white hairs or down.
=hyaline=, glass-like, transparent or translucent.
=hypocrateriform=, salver-shaped, applied to a corolla when it expands in a flat manner.
=hypogynous=, applied to a flower, the sepals, petals and the stamens of which arise beneath the pistil.
=imbricate=, overlapping like the tiles of a roof.
=imparipinnate=, pinnate with an uneven number of leaflets.
=indefinite=, without fixed number, usually meaning a large number (of sepals, petals, stamens, etc.).
=indehiscent=, applied to fruits which do not split to allow the seed to escape.
=inferior=, applied to an ovary means that it is enclosed in and adherent to the calyx.
=inflorescence=, the manner in which flowers are arranged on a plant.
=infundibuliform=, funnel-shaped.
=internode=, the portion of a stem between the point of attachment of two successive leaves, if alternate leaves, or pairs of leaves, if they are opposite.
=interrupted=, when applied to an inflorescence means that portion of the axis bears no flowers although there are some both above and below.
=involucel=, the involucre of a secondary umbel.
=involucre=, a whorl of bracts, sometimes united and sometimes in several rows below an inflorescence or an individual flower.
=involute=, rolled from the back, _e.g._, towards the upper surface of a leaf.
=irregular=, applied to a flower which cannot be divided into two equal sections in whatever direction from above it is cut.
=-jugate=, in pairs, _e.g._, bijugate in 2 pairs, trijugate in 3 pairs, multijugate in many pairs, etc.
=keel=, the (more or less) united two lower petals in =Papilionaceæ=; also applied to straight longitudinal nerves on bracts, sepals or petals.
=labiate=, lipped, referring to the shape of the corolla or perianth.
=laciniate=, cut about, ragged, applied to leaves, the lobes of which are narrow and irregular.
=lamina=, the blade or broad part of a leaf.
=lanceolate=, lance-shaped, applied to leaves about three times longer than broad, broadest below the middle and tapering to the apex.
=latex=, milky sap.
=leaflet=, a subdivision of a compound leaf, _q.v._
=legume=, the seed-vessel of =Leguminosæ=, 1-celled and 2-valved.
=lepidote=, covered with small scurfy scales.
=ligulate=, strap-shaped.
=ligule=, a kind of stipule embracing the stem of grasses where the sheath gives way to the blade of the leaf.
=ligulifloræ=, a section of the =Compositæ=, the florets of which in a head have all a strap-shaped corolla.
=limb=, the broader part of a leaf, but more commonly the broader part of the corolla above the tube, where it expands.
=linear=, narrow and long with parallel margins.
=lip=, a long more or less pendent corolla lobe or petal as in =Labiatæ=, =Orchidaceæ=, etc.
=lobes=, the divisions of a simple leaf or calyx or corolla or fruit.
=lobulate=, having minute lobes.
=-locular=, divided into compartments or cells, _e.g._, trilocular = 3-celled.
=lodicules=, hyaline or fleshy nerveless scales in grasses, representing the perianth of the flower.
=lunate=, crescent-shaped.
=lyrate=, applied to a pinnatifid leaf with a broader rounded terminal lobe and smaller, shorter ones below, _e.g._, some =Cruciferæ= and =Compositæ=.
=marcescent=, withering on the plant without falling off, _e.g._, the flower of =Dombeya=.
=membranous=, thin and not stiff.
=-merous=, used to show the numbers of parts in each floral envelope, _e.g._, trimerous, having 3 sepals, 3 petals (if any), 3 stamens, and (or) 3 carpels.
=monadelphous=, when all the stamens are joined by their filaments, thus forming a sheath round the ovary, _e.g._, =Malvaceæ=, some =Leguminosæ=, etc.
=monandrous=, with one stamen.
=moniliform=, or beaded, repeatedly constricted, _e.g._, the pod of =Acacia arabica=.
=monocotyledon=, having only one seed-leaf, _e.g._, =Palms=, =Grasses=, =Sedges=, =Lilies=, etc.
=monœcious=, a plant having separate male and female flowers on the same individual, see =diœcious=.
=mucronate=, terminating abruptly in a short stiff point or =mucro=.
=multifid=, divided distinctly into many parts.
=multipartite=, divided deeply into many parts.
=multisect=, divided so deeply into many parts that the individual parts are practically divided off.
=muricate=, covered with short, sharp protuberances.
=naked=, applied to a flower means that it has no calyx or corolla, applied to a seed that it has no pericarp.
=-nate=, a suffix showing that 2 or more leaves, etc., are together, _e.g._, binate, 2 together, ternate, in a whorl of 3, etc.
=nectary=, an organ secreting sugary fluid within the flower.
=node=, the point of attachment of a leaf to a stem.
=nodose=, applied to roots and stems swollen at intervals, knotted.
=nut=, a dry indehiscent fruit with a hard woody pericarp.
=ob-=, a prefix which used with terms denoting shape (excepting oblong) means that the shape is inverted; _e.g._, =oblanceolate= or =obovate= applied to a leaf mean that the broader part of the leaf is towards the apex as if it had been inverted, =obcordate= inverted heart-shaped, with the lobes at the apex.
=oblong=, elongated elliptic.
=obtuse=, blunt.
=ochrea=, a membranous sheath, _e.g._, some =Polygonaceæ=.
=opposite=, applied to leaves means that these are inserted in pairs, one leaf on either side of the stem.
=orbicular=, round, circular.
=organ=, every part of a plant which has a distinct function to perform.
=ostiole=, small aperture as, _e.g._, into the receptacle in =Ficus=.
=oval=, of the same shape as the mathematical figure.
=ovary=, one or more carpels enclosing one or more ovules.