Part 26
Erect herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves opp., or upper alt., oblong-lanceolate, 1-3 in. long, pubescent and with bulbous-based hairs. Cymes lax, terminal; cor. blue with a white eye, ½ in. diam.; anthers awned; nutlets 4, ovoid, compressed.
Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli & Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro); Darfur (Jebel Marra: Wadi Gindi 7,300 ft.).
Emollient poultices are made from the leaves.
604 =Cynoglossum Hochstetteri= _Vatke._
Small hispid herb. Leaves alt., oblong, upper sessile. Racemes lax, few- flowered; fl. 5-merous; corolla blue, small, throat with scales inside; nutlets 4 with hooked spines on margins and up the centre.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L., from coast-land to 3,000-4,000 ft.; Suakin, Erkowit, Has Has).
=C. lanceolatum= _Forsk._
Pilose herb, 4-6 ft. high. Leaves alt., oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, 4-6 in. long, scabrid. Cymes lax, finally 5-6 in. long; fl. 5-merous, minute; cor. white, sometimes blue tinted; tube enclosed by 5 scales; nuts 4, covered with hooked spines.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
605 =Echinochilon fruticosum= _Desf._
Densely white hispid dwarf herb. Leaves alt., lanceolate, ¼-½ in. long. Fl. sessile in axils of upper leaves, cor. blue, 2-lipped; nuts 4.
Nubia (coast-land).
606 =Arnebia hispidissima= _DC._ GHAREIR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Tufted herb, covered with stiff, white hairs. Stem-leaves lanceolate, sessile, ½-1 in. long, lower oblanceolate. Spikes dense, finally elongated; fl. 5-merous; cor. yellow, ab. ½ in. long; nuts 4.
Red Sea Prov. (sea-coast to 3,000-4,000 ft. to Erkowit); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (several places); Darfur Prov.
607 =Echium Rauwolfii= _Del._
Hirsute herb, ab. 1 ft. high. Stem-leaves alt., linear-oblong, small, sessile, covered with white, bulbous-based bristles; radical leaves oblanceolate, 4-6 in. long. Spikes up to 6 in. long; fl. 5-merous; cor. blue, funnel-shaped, ¾ in. long; nuts 4, shining.
Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani & Sennar); White Nile Prov. (Geteina).
=E. longifolium= _Del._ KAHALI—Arab.
Densely hirsute herb. Stem-leaves linear-oblong, sessile, small; radical leaves oblanceolate. Spikes many, lax; cor. blue, ab. ¾ in. long; nuts ⅙ in. diam., ovoid, rugose.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Soturba Mts. 22° N.L.); Dongola Prov. (Wadi Mahas).
=E. arenarium= _Guss._
Herb with short, upward-pointing bristles. Leaves alt., oblanceolate. Spikes lax; bracts large, ovate-lanceolate; fl. 5-merous; cor. blue, up to ½ in. long; nuts 4, tubercled. Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani & Sennar); Fung Prov. (Roseires).
=SOLANACEÆ.=
608 =Solanum æthiopicum= _Linn._ GUTA, QUTA, BEGINGAN EL GUTA—Arab.
Tall unarmed herb. Leaves alt. or 2 at a node, oblong, sinuate. Cymes umbellate, few-flowered; cor. white, 5-7-fid; st. 5-7, anthers conniving into a cone (as all in this genus), dehiscing by terminal pores. Berry globose, pale red.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
The fruit is used for flatulence, the roots also as a remedy for colic.
=S. nodiflorum= _Jacq._ HARSH (Kaka)—Arab.
Herb. Leaves ovate-acuminate, 4 in. long. Cymes umbellate at or above the nodes, few-flowered; cor. rotate, white, ⅓ in. diam.; anther-pores large, oblique. Fr. globose, ½ in. diam., black.
Fung Prov. (Roseires & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kaka wood station); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land).
The deep purple juice of the berries can be used as an ink.
=S. nigrum= _Linn._ ENAB EL DIB—Arab.
Pubescent herb, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves obovate to lanceolate, sinuate- dentate, up to 4 in. long. Cymes extra-axillary, umbellate; cor. rotate, white, ¼ in. diam.; anther pores terminal, oblique. Berry globose, ¼ in. diam., black, rarely red or yellow.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib, Soturba mountains, seacoast); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
Berries black, used as a purgative. The whole plant is used as an article of diet for dropsical patients and those suffering from chronic inflammation of the liver.
=S. schimperianum= _Hochst._
Shrub, 5 ft. high; young parts stellate-hairy. Leaves ovate, 1 in. long. Cymes few-flowered; fl. 4-merous; cor. ½ in. diam. Berry globose, nearly ½ in. diam.
Between Suakin & Berber (Wadi Haraza).
=S. albicaule= _Kotschy._
Shrub with recurved spines on the stem; all parts with white stellate tomentum. Leaves ovate, acuminate, sometimes slightly lobed, 1½ in. long. Cymes extra-axillary; fl. 5-merous; cor. rotate; lobes nearly ½ in. long. Berry globose, ¼ in. diam.
Red Sea Prov.; Kordofan.
=S. hastifolium= _Hochst._
Undershrub with prickly stem. Leaves hastate and more or less pinnately lobed, 1½ in. long, stellate-hairy. Fl. lateral and terminal, solitary or racemose, 5-merous, stellately hairy; cor. lobes under ½ in. long. Berry globose, ⅓ in. diam.
Blue Nile Prov. (Abu Haraz); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla to Bor).
=S. anomalum= _Thonn._
Stellately tomentose shrub, prickly on stems, branches, petioles and along the midrib of leaves. Leaves solitary or geminate, ovate-oblong, pinnatifid. Cymes axillary, racemose; fl. 4-merous; cor. white, rotate. Berry globose, red, nearly ½ in. diam.
Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Assika River).
=S. aculeatissimum= _Jacq._
Armed undershrub, 1-2 ft. high; spines straight on stems, branches, upper side of principal nerves and calyx lobes, interspersed in the younger parts with stiff bristles as also on leaves. Leaves solitary or geminate, broadly ovate or ovate-cordate, pinnately 5-7 lobed, 4 in. long; petiole 1 in. long. Cymes extra-axillary, few-flowered; fl. 5-merous; cor. rotate, 1 in. diam., white. Fr. globose, 1 in. diam., smooth, orange.
Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).
=S. xanthocarpum var. Schraderi= _Dunal._
Bushy herb armed with straight spines on stems, branches, petiole and midrib of leaves. Leaves oblong or oblong-lanceolate, pinnately 5-9 lobed, up to 5 in. long, stellate-hairy when young. Cymes extra- axillary, 5-8 flowered; fl. 5-merous; cor. blue-purple, 1 in. diam. Berry size of a cherry, yellow.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Blue Nile Prov. (Ganneib Assad); Fung Prov. (Roseires & Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Mulbes, Abu Haraza & Abu Felagi); Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land, Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov.
=S. dubium= _Fresen._ GUBEIN (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Bushy, mealy pubescent herb, armed on stem, leaves and calyx. Leaves alt., upper ones geminate, unequally cordate, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, wavy-sinuate. Cymes short, few-flowered; fl. 5-merous; cor. violet. Berry globose, ¼ in. diam., yellow, enclosed in spiny calyx.
Red Sea Prov. (Soturba); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (several places); Darfur Prov. (J. Berkin).
The plant is pounded and put into water in which hides are soaking to assist the removal of the hair.
=S. incanum= _Linn._ GIBBEIN—Arab; MANIOP—Hadendowa; TELELEH—Bari; DITAAK (or ATITĀK) (Kenissa)—Dinka.
Tall, woody herb; all parts stellately woolly; branches, leaves and calyx spiny. Leaves ovate or ovate-elliptic, 5 in. long, sinuate. Fl. solitary or few together; cor. purple or white, ab. 1 in. long. Fr. subglobose, 1½ in. diam., yellow.
Red Sea Prov. (Soturba to Erkowit); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (near Mashikha & Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Gameiza).
The seeds are used for curdling milk. The fruit is said to be edible.
=S. hybridum= _Jacq._
Armed pubescent shrub. Leaves geminate, ovate, sinuate or entire, 3 in. long. Cymes racemose, umbellate or reduced to a single flower; fl. 5-merous; calyx tube spiny; cor. pale-purple, 1 in. diam. Berry 1 in. diam., orange-red.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).
=S. cerasiferum= _Dunal._
Stellate-hairy herb with spines on stem, leaves and calyx. Leaves oblong, 2½ in. long, pinnately lobed. Cymes racemose; 5-merous; cor. violet, ¾ in. diam., densely stellate-hairy outside. Berry subglobose, yellow.
Fung Prov.
=S. Melongena= _Linn._ BEDINGAN—Arab; JUYO—Krej. Egg Plant or Aubergine.
Cultivated for its large purple-black fruit, which is cooked as a vegetable.
=S. duplosinuatum= _Klotzsch._
Undershrub, 3 ft. high; stem, leaves and calyx spiny and stellate-hairy. Leaves bi- to tripinnatifid, 8 in. long, 5 in. broad. Cymes racemose, few-flowered; fl. 5-merous; cor. mauve, 1½ in. diam. Fr. globose, 1½ in. diam., white, streaked with green.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso River).
=S. campylacanthum= _Hochst._
Shrub, 2-5 ft. high, with short recurved spines on stem and midribs of leaves. Leaves alt., broadly lanceolate to oval, entire or shallowly sinuate, up to 6 in. long, stellately hairy on both surfaces. Cymes extra-axillary, few-flowered, 5-merous; cor. lilac, 1 in. diam. Berry globose, 1 in. diam.
Darfur Prov.
=S. pruinosum var. pilosulum= _Dunal._
Herb; branches white-waxy (pruinose). Leaves rhomboid, cuneate, 2-3 in. long, hairy beneath. Racemes 6-7 flowered, hairy on peduncles and flowers; fl. 5-merous: cor. white, under ½ in. diam. Berry size of a pea.
Fung Prov.
=S. sp.?= HAMASHANAK—Hadendowa.
Unarmed shrub.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
609 =Physalis minima= _Linn._
Villous herb, 1 ft. high. Leaves ovate or subcordate, acuminate, entire or sinuate-dentate, 1¼ in. long. Fl. solitary, 5-merous; calyx campanulate, 5-angled, enlarging in fruit to ½ in. diam.; cor. yellow, ¼ in. long. Berry globose, ¼ in. diam.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: Mbrwole).
=P. angulata= _Linn._ =var.=
Bushy herb with yellow flowers; calyx accrescent in fruit.
Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid).
610 =Capsicum frutescens= _Linn._ SHATTA & FILFIL AHMAR—Arab; RARIA—Zande. Red Pepper.
Shrubby herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves ovate acuminate, variable in size. Fl. solitary or in pairs, 5-merous; cor. white or pale yellow. Berry spindle-shaped, red.
Fung, Bahr El Ghazal & Kordofan Provinces (cultivated).
=C. annuum= _Linn._ FILFIL AHMAR—Arab. Cayenne Pepper.
Much like above. Cor. lobes 5-6, greenish-white. Berry oblong-linear, under 1½ in. long.
Cultivated in various parts.
Fruit, picked green or when ripe, is used to make sauces. It is also dried and ground for use like Cayenne pepper.
611 =Lycopersicum esculentum= _Mill._ BANADURO or TOMATUM—Arab.
Tomato Plant.
Cultivated throughout the country.
612 =Withania somnifera= _Dun._ MORGAN, SIM EL FAR, SAKARAN, FOQQESH—Arab; MEIKA-IS—Hadendowa.
Large bushy or decumbent herb, growing in swampy ground, often on termite mounds. Leaves ovate or variable, up to 2½ in. long, tomentose. Fl. 4-6 in axillary fascicles, 5-merous; calyx campanulate, much enlarged in fruit; cor. pale-green, under ¼ in. long. Berry globose, ¼ in. diam.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, Sinkat); Kassala Prov.; Dongola Prov. (Merowe); Fung Prov. (Roseires); Kordofan Prov. (Bara); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
The seeds are used to coagulate milk. The root is said to have tonic and diuretic properties.
613 =Lycium persicum= _Miers._ SAMŪNAT—Rashida; TISHANU—Hadendowa.
Shrub; shortened branches often spiny. Leaves spathulate-obovate or oblong, ¼-¾ in. long. Fl. solitary, tubular, 5-merous; cor. blue-purple, ¾ in. long. Berries globose, scarlet.
Red Sea Prov.
The scarlet berries are said to be eaten.
614 =Datura Stramonium= _Linn._ SAKARAN—Arab; TARME (Dilling)—Nuba. The Thorn-apple.
Bushy herb or undershrub. Leaves ovate, coarsely toothed or lobed, up to 9 in. long. Fl. solitary in forks of branches, 5-merous; cor. white, 3-4 in. long, tubular-funnel-shaped. Caps. 2 in. long, echinate, ovoid.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Dilling).
The seeds are poisonous and a powerful narcotic. The active principles are Hyoscyamine and a small quantity of Scopolamine.
=D. Metel= _Linn._
More pubescent; flowers larger than above.
Khartoum, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
Poisonous; similar to _D. Stramonium_.
615 =Hyoscyamus muticus= _Linn._ SAKARAN—Arab.
Stout leafy herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves broadly lanceolate, 4-6 in. long, entire or dentate; petiole 1½-2½ in. long, winged. Fl. axillary and in unilateral scorpioid terminal spikes or racemes, 5-merous; calyx accrescent; cor. greenish-white tipped with purple. Caps. subglobose.
Dongola Province.
A powerful narcotic drug, the toxic principles are Hyoscyamine and Hyosine.
616 =Nicotiana Tabacum= _Linn._ DUKHĀN—Arab; TABBA—Bongo; TĀB & TABBO—Dinka; TOL—Nuer; GUNDEH—Zande. Tobacco Plant.
Annual, up to 6 ft. high, viscid all over. Leaves lanceolate to ovate, lower up to 2 ft. long, amplexicaul. Panicle terminal; fl. 5-merous; cor. pink, white or pale yellow; tube long. Caps. conical.
Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Sobat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Darfur Prov.
Cultivated. The leaves are very imperfectly cured by the natives, and are very rank and coarse. The plant grows freely and yields heavily.
=N. rustica= _Linn._ DUKHĀN—Arab; DĀ (J. Ghulfan)—Nuba; MASHIR—Bongo.
Differs from above by smaller leaves and greenish-yellow flowers in closer panicles.
Fung Prov.; Nile Banks (17° N.L.); Kordofan Prov. (Bara); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Nuba Mts. Prov.
The principal tobacco of the Nile Basin, cultivated for smoking and chewing. The Nicotine content is low.
617 =Schwenkia americana= _Linn._
Much branched, pubescent herb. Leaves alt., lower ovate and petioled, upper oblong and sessile, ¾ in. long. Panicle lax, terminal; calyx 5-toothed; cor. pale violet, 5-toothed, 2 upper longer, total length ⅓ in.; stamens 4, didynamous. Caps. subglobose, ¼ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Kutshuk Ali, Jur Ghattas & Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
Used as a fish poison on the West Coast.
=S. hirta= _Klotzsch._
Hirsute herb, 2 ft. high. Leaves ovate or oblong, ⅔ in. long. Panicle large, lax; cor. tubular, under ½ in. long, pale violet or yellow, lobes equal; st. 2. Caps. ¼ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau).
=CONVOLVULACEÆ.=
618 =Ipomœa verticillata= _Forsk._
Herbaceous twiner. Leaves alt., as in all this order, cordate-ovate, 1-2 in. long, pubescent. Fl. 1-2, on short pedicels, on axillary peduncles; cor. whitish, subcampanulate, ¼ in. long; midpetaline area well defined as in all the genus. Capsule globose, ⅓ in. diam., glabrous.
Between Kassala & Goz Regeb; Berber Prov. (Zeidab); Khartoum Prov. (Burri); Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
=I. eriocarpa= _R. Br._
Pubescent twiner. Leaves from cordate-ovate to linear-oblong, 1-5 in. long. Fl. in sessile axillary clusters, 5-merous; sepals hairy, ¼ in. long; cor. white, pink or purple, ab. ⅓ in. long. Capsule globose, hairy, ¼ in. diam.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Berber Prov. (Metemma); Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land: Gir); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=I. sulphurea= _Hochst._
Trailing herb, pubescent. Leaves elliptic-ovate, obtuse, 1-2 in. long, usually shallowly cordate. Fl. axillary, clustered; cor. sulphur-yellow, ¼ in. long. Capsule globose, hairy, ¼ in. diam.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Abu Helafi).
=I. curtipes= _Rendle._
Finely pubescent twining herb. Leaves linear-oblong, cordate-ovate below, 1-2 in. long. Fl. axillary, solitary on ¼ in. pedicel; cor. purplish, hairy, funnel-shaped, ½ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=I. blepharophylla= _Hallier f._
Trailing herb with short yellowish spreading hairs. Leaves linear to lin.-oblong, 1½-3 in. long, margins densely ciliolate. Fl. solitary, axillary; cor. reddish, funnel-shaped, 2 in. long. Caps. glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas & Niamniam-land); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=I. coscinosperma= _Hochst._
Trailing, slightly hairy annual. Leaves lin.-lanceolate or obl.-lanceolate, 1½-2½ in. long. Fl. 1-2, axillary; cor. red, ⅓ in. long. Capsule glabrous, globose, ¼ in. diam.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (near Abu Gerad).
=I. kotschyana= _Hochst._
Pubescent twiner. Leaves orbicular, 1-2 pinnatifid, 1-1½ in. diam. Fl. solitary axillary; cor. funnel-shaped, ab. ⅓ in. long. Caps. globose, glabrous, ¼ in. diam., 3-celled.
Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Barkin, in Suruj Dist.).
=I. cardiosepala= _Hochst._ HANTUD or KHANTUT—Arab; TABĀR—Hadendowa.
Creeping and twining, pilose herb. Leaves cordate, ovate, 1-2 in. long. Peduncles axillary, 1-3 flowered; fl. 5-merous; 3 outer sepals ovate- cordate, 2 inner lanceolate, ¼ in. long; cor. purplish, funnel-shaped, ½ in. long. Caps. globose, glabrous, ¼ in. diam., 2-celled; seeds densely tomentose.
Red Sea Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
=I. mombassana= _Vatke._
Laxly pilose trailing and climbing herb. Leaves ovate, cordate- sagittate, 1-3 in. long. Fl. axillary, solitary or in few-flowered cymes; cor. white with purple throat, funnel-shaped, 1-2 in. long; sepals linear-hastate. Caps. glabrous.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Kaka & Meshra El Zeraf woodstations).
=I. cordofana= _Choisy._ TEBR or TIBR (White Nile)—Arab; KARA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Hairy creeper. Leaves ovate-orbicular, broadly cordate, 1-3 in. long; petiole 1-2 in. long. Peduncles 1-3 flowered; bracts ovate, foliaceous; cor. white, funnel-shaped, 1-2 in. long. Caps. globose, ⅓ in. diam.
Blue Nile, White Nile & Upper White Nile Provinces (J. Arashkol, El Dueim to Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.
=I. pileata= _Roxb._
Pilose twiner. Leaves cordate-ovate, ab. 2 in. long. Fl. enclosed in a large boat-shaped bract; cor. cylindrical, tube 1 in. long; limb spreading, 1 in. diam. Caps. globose, small.
Fung Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=I. chloroneura= _Hallier f._ LUAE (J. Eliri)—Nuba.
Erect branching herb with dense white and yellow hairs. Leaves lin.-lanceolate to oval, 1-2 in. long. Fl. in small dense heads, outer bracts foliaceous; cor. white or pale-yellow, funnel-shaped, under ½ in. Caps. globose; seeds fawny, silky-pubescent.
Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri).
=I. involucrata= _P. Beauv._
Slender, finely hairy or glabrescent twiner. Leaves cordate-ovate, 1½-3 in. long; petiole as long. Peduncle 1-3 in. long; fl. several in a head, enclosed in a large, 2-cusped, foliaceous, boat-shaped bract, 2 in. diam.; cor. bright pink, 1-2 in. long, funnel-shaped; limb 1½-2 in. diam. Caps. small, globose, glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=I. amœna= _Choisy._
Twiner with soft yellow hairs, mixed in younger parts with white hairs. Leaves ovate, shallowly cordate, 1-3½ in. long. Fl. in dense hairy cymose heads; cor. purple-violet or cream, with crimson throat, ab. ½ in. long. Capsules small, glabrous, 2-celled.
Nubia; Fung & Kordofan Provinces.
=I. chætocaulos= _Hallier f._
Twining herb with golden bristly hairs. Leaves suborbicular, cordate, 3½ in. long; petiole 4 in. long. Fl. in dense heads; bracts ovate, ¾ in. long.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=I. Pes-tigridis= _Linn._
Twining annual with long fulvous hairs. Leaves palmately 7-9 lobed, 1½-2½ in. long, 2-3 in. broad; lobes narrowly oval; petiole 1½-2½ in. long. Peduncles longer than petioles, bearing dense hirsute, few- flowered heads; bracts foliaceous, oblong; cor. funnel-shaped, purple, ab. 1½ in. long. Caps. brown, glabrous; seeds black, shortly pubescent.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraz).
=I. hederacea= _Jacq._
Slender, hairy twiner. Leaves shallowly cordate-ovate, rather shallowly 3-lobed, 2-5 in. long. Peduncle 1-5 flowered; sepals with a long, narrow point, ¾-1 in. long; cor. funnel-shaped, 2-3 in. long, usually ashy-blue with a white tube. Caps. small, 3-celled; seeds 6, smooth.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Berber Prov. (Metemma); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung, Kordofan, Upper White Nile & Darfur Provinces.
The seeds, powdered with ginger, are used as a purgative.
=I. pilosa= _Sweet._ UM SHE’ERA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
Twining herb with yellowish-white hairs. Leaves cordate-ovate, 2-4 in. long, palmately 3-lobed with white tomentum beneath. Fl. laxly cymose on 1-2 in. long, hairy peduncles, 5-merous; sepals linear-acuminate, glandular; cor. purple-carmine, funnel-shaped, 1 in. long. Capsule globose; ripe seeds hanging by filaments out of capsule.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Berber Prov. (Metemma); Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).
The roots are pounded and an infusion drunk to calm abdominal pains.
=I. obscura= _Ker._
Pubescent twiner. Leaves ovate, cordate, 1½-2 in. long. Peduncle ½-1 in. long, 1-3 flowered; cor. white with a purple base, funnel-shaped, 1 in. long, 1-1½ in. diam. Caps. globose, glabrous, ⅜ in. diam.
Between Kassala & Suakin (J. Erkeneb); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam- land).
=I. near I. obscura= _Ker._
Leaves gland-dotted, cordate to subhastate or deltoid.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Kio); Mongalla Prov. (above Bor).
=I. fragilis= _Choisy._
Slender twiner. Leaves narrowly cordate-ovate, acuminate, 1-2 in. long. Fl. 1-2 axillary, on long peduncles exceeding the leaves; cor. white or buff, funnel-shaped, ¾ in. long. Caps. glabrous.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Western Bongo-land & Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
=I. acanthocarpa= _Hochst._
Glabrous twiner. Leaves cordate-ovate, 1-3 in. long; petiole 1-3 in. long. Peduncle 1-3 flowered; cor. white or pale-purple, funnel-shaped, 1 in. long. Caps. globose, tipped with persistent style base.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid); Nuba Mts. Prov. (near Talodi).
=I. cf. I. acanthocarpa= _Hochst._
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=I. hellebarda= _Schwfth._
Tuberous-rooted twiner. Leaves very variable, ovate to sagittate or hastate, 2-3 in. long. Peduncle 1½-3 in. long, bearing a few-flowered cyme; cor. bright red-purple, 2 in. long, funnel-shaped, ab. 2 in. diam. Caps. globose; seeds 4, brown-velvety.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: around Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River).
=I. aquatica= _Forsk._ FARU (Meshra El Zeraf), ARKALA (Kordn.)—Arab; AFAT (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Hollow-stemmed trailing and twining herb, also floating on the water. Leaves cordate-ovate or hastate, 3-6 in. long, on long petioles. Peduncles 1-2 in. long, 1- few-flowered; cor. bright-purple, 2-3 in. long, funnel-shaped; limb spreading, 2½ in. diam.; capsule globose, ⅓ in. diam.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Between Berber & Khartoum; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Wad Shellai and edges of the Nile); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. Most parts of the Sudan, growing in or near water.
The young shoots are eaten. It is the important factor in binding together Sudd plants.
=I. near I. leucantha= _Webb._
Twiner with linear, hastate leaves. Cor. white with purple-lilac centre.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
=I. repens= _Lam._ ABU HALAGIN—Arab; TARASHO—Bari.
Trailing perennial with hollow stem, growing on muddy banks. Leaves cordate, orbicular or reniform, 3-6 in. diam.; petiole 1-4 in. long. Peduncles 1-4 in. long, bearing a few to many flowered cyme; cor. red or purple, funnel-shaped, 2-3 in. long. Capsule globose; seeds size of a pea.
Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (banks of the Nile); Kordofan Prov. (south, swamps); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land); Mongalla Prov.
=I. Batatas= _Lam._ BOMBAY—Arab; BAMBE (red var.) or AMBIRIA & BAZAMBE (white var.)—Zande. Sweet Potato.
White, red or rarely yellow tuberous-rooted perennial. Leaves very variable, more or less trilobed, 3-4 in. long; petiole long. Cymes dense on long peduncles; cor. reddish, 1½ in. long, funnel-shaped.
Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces and other parts of the Sudan.
Cultivated for its tuber.
=I. near I. Batatas= _Lam._
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=I. dissecta= _Willd._
Slender trailing herb. Leaves digitate with 5 deeply pinnatifid to pinnatisect segments, 1-1½ in. diam. Fl. 1-3 on peduncles shorter than the leaves; cor. white, funnel-shaped, ½ in. long. Caps. globose, 3-celled.
Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.
=I. pulchella= _Roth._
Slender twiner. Leaves deeply divided into 5 elliptic segments, the 2 lower bilobed, segments ¾-1 in. long. Fl. solitary, axillary; cor. rose- purple, ½ in. long; tube inflated, limbs spreading. Caps. ⅓ in. diam.; seeds hairy.
Khartoum Prov. (Soba); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kaka).
=I. palmata= _Forsk._
Twining herb. Leaves with 5 lanceolate segments, the 2 lower bilobed, 1-3 in. long; petiole same length, based by 2 stipular, 7-8 partite leaves. Cymes axillary, lax, few to many flowered; cor. red-purple, 1½-2 in. long, funnel-shaped. Caps. globose, under ½ in. diam.; seeds 4, white, hairy.
Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.
=I. dasysperma= _Jacq._ ABU ’ELEIBA (Hillet Abbas)—Arab.
Herbaceous twiner. Leaves as above or doubly tripartite, 2-3 in. long. Fl. 1-3 on short peduncles; sepals slightly spurred at base; cor. buff with purple throat; limb spreading, 1½-2 in. diam. Caps. globose; seeds 4, orange, pilose.
Blue Nile, Fung, White Nile (Hillet Abbas) & Kordofan Provinces.
=I. magnifica= _Hallier f._
Shrub, 4-6 ft. high. Leaves ovate-suborbicular, ab. 5 in. long, undulate, grey-pubescent beneath. Fl. solitary, axillary; cor. white- rose, 5 in. long and broad, funnel-shaped.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=I. verbascoidea= _Choisy._
Shrub, 3-5 ft. high, with yellow or white, woolly tomentum. Leaves cordate-oblong, 3-6 in. long, with 2 glands near junction of petiole. Peduncle 1-3 flowered, up to 1 in. long; cor. rose-purple, 3-4 in. long, funnel-shaped. Caps. globose; seeds ¼ in. long, covered with fulvous wool.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo-land & Jur Ghattas).
=I. lilacina= _Blume._
Strong twiner. Leaves cordate-ovate, sometimes 3-lobed, 3-4 in. long, more or less pubescent. Peduncle 2-5 in. long, many-flowered; cor. lilac-pink, 1½-2 in. long, funnel-shaped. Caps. globose; seeds hairy.
Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (main River); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd).
=I. eurysepala= _Hallier f._
Dwarf hairy herb. Leaves elongate-ovate, up to 2 in. long. Fl. axillary, 1-2 together; sepals nearly ½ in. long, broadly ovate; cor. ½ in. long. Caps. glabrous; seeds 4, pale-yellow.
Kordofan Prov.
=I. convolvulifolia= _Hallier f._
Procumbent herb with fulvous hairs. Leaves cordate, subsagittate, 1 in. long, pubescent. Peduncles short, 1-2 flowered; cor. rose-red, 1 or more in. long. Caps. glabrous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Gumango hill).
=I. digitata= _Linn._