Chapter 16 of 44 · 3997 words · ~20 min read

Part 16

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).

301 =Helminthocarpum 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.).

302 =Biserula 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.).

303 =Tephrosia 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).

304 =Mundulea 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.).

305 =Milletia 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).

306 =Sesbania 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.

307 =Astragalus 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.).

308 =Glycyrrhiza 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).

309 =Taverniera 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.

310 =Alhagi 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.

311 =Herminiera 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.

312 =Æschynomene 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.

313 =Smithia 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).

314 =Stylosanthes 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.

315 =Arachis 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.

316 =Zornia 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.

317 =Desmodium 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.

318 =Pseudarthria 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).

319 =Uraria 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.

320 =Alysicarpus 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).

321 =Cicer 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.

322 =Vicia faba= _Linn._ FUL—Arab. The Bean plant.

Cultivated generally.

323 =Lens esculentus= _Moench._ ’ADS SURGAM (Dongola)—Arab.

Dongola Prov. (Cultivated).