Part 6
Erect branching herb. Leaves lyrate to oblanceolate, more or less deeply toothed. Flowers white or yellow on ebracteate racemes. Siliqua linear- oblong, turgid erect, beaked. Seeds biseriate.
Nubia cultivated.
The seeds yield an oil similar to Colza. The leaves are used as a salad, and are also fed to cattle.
48 =Schouwia arabica= _DC._ MAHAD, NAMNAM (Egypt)—Arab.
Tall shrubby herb with ovate amplexicaul leaves and purple flowers. Siliqua elliptical, about ¾ in. long.
Kassala Prov. (Gash Valley).
49 =Lepidium sativum= _Linn._ Common Cress.
Glabrous annual. Leaves entire to pinnatisect. Flowers white. Siliqua obovate to nearly rotundate, emarginate.
Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.
The young plants are eaten. The seeds yield an oil; they are also used in dysentery and diarrhœa.
50 =Senebiera nilotica= _DC._ RASHAD (Port Sudan), HARRA—Arab.
Riverside herb with small white flowers. Radical leaves linear- lanceolate or oblanceolate pinnatisect. Silicules cordate-reniform.
North Sudan; Banks of the Nile; Red Sea. Prov.
51 =Enarthrocarpus lyratus= _DC._ RESHAD EL BAHR, SHILTEM, SHIRTEM, & SHILTAM—Arab.
Herb; flowers yellow, streaked with purple. Radical leaves lyrate- pinnatifid. Siliquas nodulose, obtusely acuminate.
Dongola Prov. (from Egypt).
=E. pterocarpus= _DC._
Herb, scabrid below. Leaves lyrate-pinnatifid. Siliquas erect, linear- acuminate, with winged scabrid margins.
Nubia.
52 =Zilla myagroides= _Forsk._ =var. microcarpa= _Oliv._
Shrubby, spiny herb, the spines terminating the branches. Flowers white or violet, solitary or racemose, silicules ovoid, beaked.
Red Sea Prov., & Nubia.
53 =Raphanus sativus= _Linn._ FIGL—Arab. Horse Radish.
Radical leaves lyrate. Flowers white, yellow or lilac. Siliqua 1-2 in. long, terete, beaked.
Cultivated everywhere.
The seeds, which yield an oil, are used in native medicine for their diuretic and laxative properties. The seed pods as well as the roots are eaten.
=VIOLACEÆ.=
54 =Viola nubica= _Hutchinson_, n. sp.
Small annual, 4 in. high. Leaves long-petiolate, spathulate-lanceolate, acute, 1¼ in. long, nearly ½ in. broad, very thin, subentire, glabrous; stipules subulate-filiform, entire, 2-lin. long; sepals broadly lanceolate, long-acuminate; petals ⅓ in. long; spur short and blunt. Capsule ¼ in. long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N., sea level to 3-4,000 ft.).
55 =Hybanthus enneaspermus= _Muell._—_Ionidium enneaspermum_ Vent.
Erect or decumbent, much-branched herb, up to 2 ft. high. Flowers blue, purple or dull red, solitary, axillary.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
56 =Rinorea ilicifolia= _O. Ktze._—_Alsodeia ilicifolia_ Welw.
Shrub or small tree. Leaves strongly spinulose-serrate, coriaceous shining above, 6-9 in. long. Flowers yellow, in narrow terminal, racemose panicles. Capsule 3-valved, coriaceous.
Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).
=R. oblongifolia= _Marq._
Large tree, buttressed at the foot. Flowers waxy-yellow, in terminal, many-flowered corymbose or pyramidal panicles. Leaves oblanceolate or obovate-oblong, 4-8 in. long. Petals contorted.
Niamniam-land (Mbrwole, near the Yuru River & by the Diagbe River).
=RESEDACEÆ.=
57 =Caylusea canescens= _St. Hil._ MUDDEYD & DENABA—Arab.
Diffuse or ascending herb, more or less pilose. Leaves linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, undulate. Flowers small, in terminal bracteate racemes.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, Khor Tamanib & J. Shellal, 22° N. Lat.).
=C. abyssinica= _Fisch._ & _Mey._
Erect herb, up to 3 ft. high, glabrous or thinly scabrid near the extremities. Leaves entire or 3-partite, linear-lanceolate or linear. Flowers small, numerous on terminal, spike-like racemes up to 1 ft. and more long.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 4,000 ft.).
58 =Reseda pruinosa= _Del._
Erect or ascending herb, 1 ft. or more high. Leaves entire or trifid, narrow-lanceolate or oval. Flowers in terminal, bracteate racemes.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., between sea level & 3-4,000 ft.).
59 =Oligomeris glaucescens= _Camb._
Erect or decumbent herb, usually glabrous and glaucous. Leaves entire, linear, fasciculate or scattered. Flowers small in loose, elongate terminal spikes.
Red Sea, Dongola & Kordofan Provinces.
60 =Ochradenus baccatus= _Del._ GURDI—Arab.
Much branched shrub, with virgate branches, which are often spinescent and at length leafless. Leaves narrow linear. Flowers small, spicate. Berries white.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (North); Darfur (Jebel Meidob and Kulme).
=POLYGALACEÆ.=
61 =Polygala persicariæfolia= _DC._
Erect or decumbent annual. Leaves oval or lanceolate, acute. Flowers in extra-axillary or terminal racemes. Wing sepals rotundate-ovate, 3-5 nerved; lateral petals semi-hastate or hooked at the base.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
Wing sepals elliptic and not rounded.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Addai: Bongo-land).
Leaves broader, wing sepals less orbicular than in the type.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat).
=P. abyssinica= _Fres._
Annual or perennial, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves linear or oval, apiculate. Flowers secund on terminal racemes. Wing sepals ovate to obovate, 3-nerved.
Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 7,000 ft. and over, and plains 20-80 m. N.E. of El Fasher).
=P. liniflora= _Bojer_ ex _Chod._
Branches elongated, erect, grass-like, glabrous. Leaves narrowly linear, slightly decurrent. Racemes terminal, lax-flowered. Wing sepals elliptic, clawed, with few nerves.
Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra).
=P. erioptera= _DC._ HEBEIBU (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab, ANYAIN or LAKSHUA’I (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear or oblong, obtuse. Flowers fascicled or on racemes much shorter than leaves. Wing-sepals oval or obliquely elliptic with 1 broad median nerve.
Red Sea Prov. (Soturba & between Suakin & Berber); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (J. Moya); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
=var. canescens= _Chod._
Stems and leaves with grey, dense hairs.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Kordofan Prov.
=var. maxima= _Chod._
Stems and leaves at length glabrous.
Khartoum Prov. (near Khartoum).
=P. arenaria= _Willd_, forma depressa.
Erect or diffuse annual. Leaves linear to obovate-elliptical obtuse. Flowers in dense strobiliform heads. Wing-sepals variable, oval to ovate-rotundate, often oblique, nerves faint.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. irregularis= _Boiss._
Low spreading, wiry plant. Leaves oblanceolate obtuse or retuse. Flowers in loose terminal racemes. Wing-sepals broad-ovate with 3 main nerves.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Taiara, Abu Gerad).
=P. acicularis= _Oliv._
Glabrous shrub. Leaves narrow-linear to acicular. Flowers in erect terminal racemes or racemes on rigid lateral branchlets. Wing-sepals obovate-oblong, faintly nerved, deciduous.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
=P. senensis= _Klotzsch._
Wiry herb or undershrub. Leaves oblanceolate, obtuse. Flowers in very short lateral racemes or axillary fascicles. Wing-sepals broadly ovate with numerous looping nerves.
Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat).
62 =Securidaca longipedunculata= _Fresen._ SAGGAT—Arab.
Branched shrub, 8-10 ft. high. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, linear- lanceolate to ovate oblong, 1-2 in. long. Flowers rose or purple or violet or variegated with white, racemose. Fruit a 1-winged samara.
Fung Prov. (Famaka); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=CRASSULACEÆ.=
63 =Tillæa pentandra= _Royle._
Small herb with opposite, fleshy cylindrical subulate leaves, connate at base. Flowers small, white, solitary, or 2-3 together, axillary. Fruit of 4-5 free carpels.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 9,000 ft.).
64 =Bryophyllum calycinum= _Salisb._
Shrubby herb, 2-4 ft. high, with barren and purple-spotted flowering stems. Leaves opposite, fleshy, crenate, either simple, ovate-orbicular or unequally pinnate with ovate segments. Flowers up to 2 in. long, pendulous, in paniculate cymes; calyx inflated, striped purple; cor. reddish-purple; stamens 8, in 2 rows. Fruit of 4 follicles.
Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
65 =Kalanchoe crenata= _Haw._ HARFIFOIT—Hadendowa.
Tall perennial herb with opposite fleshy, crenate leaves and yellow flowers.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit, foot of Has Has).
66 =Umbilicus botryoides= _Hochst._
Small herb with perennial root-stock. Lower leaves orbicular, loosely crenate, peltate. Flowering stems usually about 6 in. long bearing a simple or somewhat branched raceme of pale pendulous flowers.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Abwo, 9,600 ft.).
67 =Sempervivum molle= _Vis._
Softly hairy, fleshy herb. Leaves alternate, fleshy, oval-rhomboid, red- spotted beneath. Flowers cymose, white or yellow.
Nubia.
=SAXIFRAGACEÆ.=
68 =Vahlia viscosa= _Roxb._ SAFEIRA EL BAHR (Atbara), WADE (Halfa)—Arab; TELGIN—Hadendowa; TEIMER—Rashida.
Prostrate, glandular, pilose herb, with ovate-oblong, opposite leaves and yellow flowers. Calyx 5-lobed; corolla 5 petals; anthers 5; style deeply bifid; ovary inferior.
River banks; Wadi Halfa; Berber Prov. (Atbara & Berber); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile, Kordofan & Mongalla Provinces.
=V. oldenlandioides= _Roxb._
Glandular or pubescent herb with opposite linear leaves. Flowers small, numerous; calyx tube adnate to ovary, segments 5, short, triangular; petals 5, epigynous; ovary inferior; capsule sub-globose, small.
Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).
NOTE.—These two species of _Vahlia_ are often mistaken for species of _Oldenlandia_ in _Rubiaceæ_, but are at once distinguished by the free petals and absence of stipules.
=DROSERACEÆ.=
69 =Drosera indica= _Linn._
Small herb. Leaves alternate, linear, the lower half glabrous, the upper part heavily fringed with gland-tipped tentacles. Flowers white; styles 3.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Gumango).
=PODOSTEMONACEÆ.=
70 =Tristicha hypnoides= _Spreng._
Small moss-like herb, attached to boulders in streams or rivers. Leaves very minute. Flowers solitary, terminal, on peduncles, ¾ in. long in fruit; per. segments 3; st. 1; styles 2-3; caps. ellipsoid.
South Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (J. Eliri); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau & Biri River, Mittu-land: Woko River near Kero).
=ELATINACEÆ.=
71 =Bergia verticillata= _Willd._
Glabrous procumbent herb, about 1 ft. high, aquatic; stems succulent, pink. Leaves nearly sessile, lanceolate, tapering at both ends, 1 to 1½ in. long, opposite, stipulate. Flowers crowded in axillary, sub- verticillate fascicles; stamens 10.
Kordofan Prov.
=B. suffruticosa= _Fenzl._ MIRMID or MIREMIT (Khartoum), RIMITH—Arab; OKRIT—Hadendowa; SITA—Rashida.
Deep rooted, heather-like undershrub, rooting again where branches touch the ground. Bark deciduous in papery rust-coloured flakes.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, White Nile & Kordofan Provinces.
=B. ammanoides= _Roth._ RIMÏTH (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Herb under 1 ft. high. Leaves oblanceolate, pilose. Flowers in dense axillary, sub-verticillate fascicles; stamens 3.
Kordofan Prov.
=CARYOPHYLLACEÆ.=
72 =Silene Macrosolen= _Steud._
Somewhat viscid perennial, branching from the base. Flowers pinkish in forking panicles. Calyx 5-toothed, narrow tubular, up to 1½ in. long, teeth short; petals much exserted, 5. Carpophore much longer than capsule; styles 3.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500-9,300 ft.).
73 =Cerastium vulgatum= _Linn._
Downy, somewhat viscid annual, branching at the base. Stem leaves sessile, oblong to ovate. Flowers white in terminal cymes. Petals shorter or hardly longer than sepals; styles 5; sepals free.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 8,600 ft.).
74 =Arenaria Schimperi= _Hochst._
Procumbent diffuse perennial. Leaves subulate, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers in loose forking cymes, white; sepals 5, free, 3-nerved; petals 5, equal to sepals; styles 3; capsule 3-valved.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, above 9,000 ft.).
75 =Spergula arvensis= _Linn._
Slender herbs. Leaves linear, in opposite clusters, appearing whorled. Flowers small, white, in terminal forked cymes; stamens 5 or 10; styles 5.
Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., from sea level to 4,000 ft.).
76 =Polycarpon memphiticum= _Fenzl._
A diffuse, densely pubescent herb. Leaves petiolate, and spathulate- oblanceolate, covered with stellate hairs. Stipules scarious. Flowers small, crowded in leafy cymes, otherwise as in the next species.
Berber Prov. (Banks of the Nile between Khartoum and Shendi).
=P. Lœflingii= _Benth._ & _Hook. f._
A diffuse, prostrate or ascending, wiry, glabrous herb. Leaves sessile, linear or linear-spathulate, glabrous. Flowers small, in dichotomous cymes; sepals 5, with white, scarious edges; petals small, linear; stamens 3-5; style 3-fid.
Khartoum Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land, Wau & Mittu-land: Mvolo, & Bongo-land: Addai); Blue Nile Prov. (near Wad Medani).
77 =Polycarpæa corymbosa= _Lam._
Herb, 2-12 in. high, with a somewhat amarantaceous appearance. Leaves linear, sessile. Flowers numerous, small, crowded in dense cymes, forming large flat-topped heads; bracts scarious, silvery, bristle- pointed.
Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land); Bahr El Jebel (Madi).
Said to be a remedy for snake-bite.
=P. eriantha= _Hochst._
Diffuse, slender herb, with numerous flowers in lax cymes, spreading all over the plant. Sepals loosely pubescent. Leaves linear, about ½ in. long, with fine setose points.
Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Mongalla Prov., Bongo-land (Gir).
=P. spicata= _Arnott._
Small herb; leaves obovate or oblanceolate-spathulate, rosulate; flower- heads densely fascicled; sepals 5, ovate-lanceolate, scarious; petals 5, shorter than sepals; stamens 5.
Red Sea Prov.: Lat. 21° N.
=P. fragilis= _Del._
Small herb. Leaves linear-lanceolate, hoary, margins revolute. Flowers in small, densely fascicled cymes; sepals ovate-elliptic, with membranous margin, longer than petals.
Red Sea Prov.: from sea level to 4,000 ft., Lat. 21° N.
=P. linearifolia= _DC._
Erect or decumbent herb. Leaves narrow-linear or linear-subulate. Flowers in terminal, rounded or lax, silvery, many flowered cymes. Sepals scarious acute, ⅓ to ⅔ longer than petals.
Blue Nile Prov.: White Nile Prov. (South of Lat. 14° N.): Kordofan Prov. (Hillet Nu & El Obeid); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land: Jur Aweit).
=P. stellata= _DC._
Erect or diffuse herb. Leaves linear, with axillary tufts. Flowers in small capitate, divaricate cymes; sepals very acute, much longer than the petals.
Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).
=P. prostrata= _Dec._ HAR, HARA & REYKHA—Arab.
Prostrate herb. Leaves linear-spathulate. Flowers solitary from the forks. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, with broad membranous margin, hardly longer than petals.
Nubia; Northern Sudan.
78 =Sphærocoma Hookeri= _T. Anders._
Undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Branchlets glabrous. Flower heads dense, globose, spinescent. Leaves fleshy, terete, fascicled.
Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (J. Hotarba: Soturba Range, Lat. 22° N.).
=S. Aucheri= _Boiss._
Leaves shorter than those of last-named. Branchlets pubescent.
Red Sea Prov.; 21° N. Lat.
=MOLLUGINACEÆ.=
79 =Orygia decumbens= _Forsk._
Decumbent herb, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves obovate or rotundate, cuneate, fleshy, ½-1 in. broad, alternate, glaucous. Sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 12 or more; styles 5; capsules 5-valved.
Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, between hills & Sinkat); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
80 =Mollugo Cerviana= _Seringe._
Annual; stems erect, slender; branches umbellate. Leaves verticillate- linear, about ½ in. long. Flowers numerous on long filiform, axillary and terminal peduncles. Seeds smooth.
Kordofan & Darfur Provinces, Uganda (Nile Province).
Used as medicine for fevers.
=M. Spergula= _Linn._
Diffused decumbent herb. Leaves fleshy, 3-9 in verticils, oval to lanceolate, 1 in. long. Flowers fascicled; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5-10; capsule 3-valved.
Nubia; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Hoo River); Mongalla Prov. (Bor).
Used medicinally it is stomachic, aperient and antiseptic.
=M. nudicaulis= _Lam._
Annual. Leaves radical, crowded, spathulate, entire, glabrous, about 1½ in. long. Flower stems erect, 4-6 in. long, leafless, trichotomously branched. Flowers white in lax trichotomous cymes.
Nubia; White Nile Prov. (Jebelein); Kordofan Prov.; Nuba Mts. Prov. (Kadugli); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
81 =Glinus lotoides= _Loefl._ RABA’A (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; GETAKI (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka.
Annual, with stellate hairs, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves rotundate to oblanceolate, 1 in. long, radical and pseudo-verticillate. Flowers in axillary fascicles; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 5 to many; stigmas 2-5. Seeds verrucose.
Berber Prov. (Shendi); Kartoum Prov. (Khartoum); Blue Nile Prov. (Dried pools); Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The plant is said to be a purgative. The tender shoots are eaten.
82 =Gisekia pharnaceodes= _Linn._
Prostrate or ascending, somewhat succulent annual. Leaves opposite, exstipulate, oblong-spathulate. Flowers small, in axillary clusters; petals none; carpels 5, distinct, surrounded by sepals.
Red Sea Prov. (littoral); Berber Prov. (Obak); Khartoum, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.
Said to be a useful medicine for tapeworm.
=G. rubella= _Hochst._ SHA’ERET EL BAHAYAM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.
Much like above but cymes in lax diffuse panicles.
Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad); Upper White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Shambe).
83 =Semonvillea pterocarpa= _J. Gay._
Erect, branched herb, glaucous, 1-2½ ft. high. Leaves alternate, fleshy, linear, 1-2 in. long. Flowers small, greenish, in 10-12 flowered, terminal and leaf-opposed cymes; sepals 5; petals 0; stamens 6-7. Fr. compressed orbicular, separating in 2 broadly-winged cocci.
Kordofan Prov. (Obeid & Mulbes).
84 =Limeum viscosum= _Fenzl._ TARBA (Khartoum), RUBAA’, also HOMRA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.
Prostrate, glandular-viscid herb. Leaves alternate, oblanceolate to rotundate. Flowers small, in extra-axillary, compact cymes; sepals 5, viscid; petals 0; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.
Khartoum & Kordofan Provinces.
=L. indicum= _Stocks._
Diffuse, glandular, puberulous or glabrate herb. Leaves nearly or quite opposite, rotundate, ⅓ in. long. Cymes sessile or subsessile, axillary; petals clawed, toothed above; stamens 6-7. Fr. minute dicoccous, bony.
Nubia
=L. linifolium= _Fenzl._ HAREISH (Kordn.)—Arab.
Glabrous herb. Leaves alternate, linear, ½-2 in. long. Cymes compact, sessile or subsessile; sepals 5; petals 0, 3 or 5, linear-spathulate; stamens 7. Fr. dicoccous, bony.
Kordofan Prov. (El Murra).
=FICOIDACEÆ.=
85 =Aizoon canariense= _Linn._
Hairy, prostrate herb. Leaves obovate to spathulate, up to 3 in. long, alternate. Flowers sessile, solitary or clustered in axils of leaves. Calyx 4-5 partite; petals absent. Fruit pentagonal stelliform, ⅓ in. long.
Red Sea Prov.
86 =Trianthema pentandra= _Linn._ RABA’A (Khartoum) & RAB’AH—Arab; LOM (Kenissa)—Dinka.
Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite, oval-oblong to obovate-elliptical, ½-2 in. long. Flowers fascicled, axillary; calyx 5-fid; petals 0; stamens 5. Capsule membranous or coriaceous.
North Sudan; Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov.; Dongola, Berber, Khartoum, Blue Nile & Kordofan Provinces; Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
The plant is used as an astringent in abdominal diseases. The Sudanese mix one spoonful of pounded roots with one rottl of Marissa and use the mixture as a remedy for gonorrhœa, the doses being taken for three days.
=T. salsoloides= _Fenzl._ DEILU (N. Kordn.) & DALLE—Arab.
Hairy herb. Leaves opposite, linear, fleshy, ½ to 1 in. long, dilated at base with membranous stipuliform teeth. Flowers axillary fascicled or on short lateral leafy shoots. Petals 0; stamens up to 5. Capsule 1-seeded.
Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).
The ashes mixed with Simsim oil and lime are used for making soap.
=T. polysperma= _Hochst._
Prostrate herb. Leaves opposite or nearly so, fleshy, glandular, ¼ to ½ in. long. Flowers dichotomously cymose, sessile in each fork. Calyx 5-lobed, with petaloid pink margin; stamens 4-6; styles 2; ovary 1-celled, ovules about 7.
Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).
=T. crystallina= _Vahl._ ARARIB (Atbara)—Arab.
Prostrate herb. Leaves fleshy, linear to rotundate, ¾ in. long. Flowers axillary fascicled.
Red Sea Prov. (sea-coast); Berber Prov. (Abu Hashim & Atbara); Nubian Desert; Kordofan Prov. (Debakh); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=T. triquetra= _Rottl._ & _Willd._
Diffuse, prostrate herb, covered with minute scales. Leaves opposite or alternate, over ½ in. long, linear to linear-lanceolate, fleshy. Flowers numerous, sessile in the axil. Style simple.
Between Kassala & Goz Regeb; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Geteina); Kordofan Prov.
=PORTULACACEÆ.=
87 =Portulaca quadrifida= _Linn._
Prostrate, fatty herb. Flowers yellow. Leaves opposite, oval, numerous, fleshy. Joints and flower-heads bristly.
Red Sea Prov. (Karora); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); Khartoum, Upper White Nile & White Nile Provinces.
=P. oleracea= _Linn._ RIGLA—Arab. The Purslane.
Succulent annual with obovate or oblong-spathulate, alternate, fleshy leaves. Flowers in clusters, few together, yellow, open during a short time in the morning.
Common everywhere. Wild in various parts, e.g., Red Sea, White Nile, Bahr El Ghazal & Mongalla Provinces.
Used as a vegetable and salad, the seeds are demulcent, diuretic and slightly astringent.
=P. Erythraea= _Schwfth._
Fleshy; leaves obovate-cuneate, about 1 in. long. Flowers axillary, sessile, solitary.
No locality given (fide Mrs. Crowfoot).
=P. foliosa= _Kern._
Herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, terete. Flowers yellow, solitary or in few-flowered heads, with numerous setæ.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mvolo near Rōl River).
88 =Talinum Caffrum= _E._ & _Z._
Small herb, woody below, somewhat succulent above. Leaves linear- lanceolate. Flowers axillary, solitary or in pairs, yellow.
Mongalla Prov. (Sh. Tombé).
=T. cuneifolium= _Willd._ DANAB EL TUT (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; KUGATABBA—Bongo.
Undershrub. Leaves thick. Flowers carmine; capsules size of a pea, thinly crustaceous, nodding; seeds numerous.
Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (J. Dago & Barku); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).
=T. crassifolium= _Willd._
Small herb, woody below. Leaves fleshy, elliptic or oblanceolate-oblong. Flowers red in terminal, few-flowered panicles.
Red Sea Prov. (coast).
=POLYGONACEÆ.=
89 =Oxygonum atriplicifolium= _Martelli._
Herb; stem slender, pubescent on one side. Leaves alternate, deltoid to lanceolate, ¾ in. long; petiole ¼ in. long, dilated into a membranous sheath (_ochrea_), with long hairs. Racemes 6 in. long; bracts like ochreæ enclosing 2-3 flowers; per. minute, pink, 5-lobed, becoming 3-spined in fruit; stamens 8; styles 3. Flowers polygamous.
Red Sea Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.
=var. sinuatum= _Baker._
Leaves thicker, pinnately lobed.
Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Mongalla Prov. (Bor & Mongalla).
90 =Polygonum plebeium= _R. Br._
Prostrate herb with short internodes. Leaves alternate, linear-oblong, ¼ to ½ in. long; ochreæ membranous, white, lacerate. Flowers clustered 2-5, axillary; per. white, small, 5-lobed; stamens 8. Fr. trigonous, shining.
Khartoum Prov.; Banks of the Nile; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).
=P. serrulatum= _Lag._
Slender procumbent annual, 2-3 ft. long. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile; ochreæ bristly. Spikes several to a stem; 1½-2 in. long; bracts ciliate; per. pink, minute; stamens 6-8, styles and nut as above.
Darfur Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Lado).
=P. limbatum= _Meisn._
Perennial 3-4 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate, 3-4 in. long, subsessile, with stout adpressed hairs; ochreæ large, hairy sheathing below, deflexed above. Racemes 3 to a branch, 2-3 in. long; per. pink, minute; stamens 7; styles 2; nut lenticular, glossy, black.
Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. barbatum= _Linn._
Hairy perennial. Leaves lanceolate, acuminate, up to 6 in. long, subsessile, hairy both sides; ochreæ without limb. Spikes, 2-3 in. long; bracts bristly on margins, per. pink, minute; stamens 6-8; styles 3; nut trigonous.
Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Darfur Prov. (Kulme & J. Marra: Niurnya 6,500 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
A blue dye, like indigo, is said to be obtained from this plant in China and Japan. The root is used as an astringent and cooling remedy.
=P. lanigerum= _R. Br._
Hoary aquatic herb, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves lanceolate, up to 9 in. long; ochreæ long, membranous, ciliate. Racemes dense, 1-3 in. long; bracts orbicular; per. ⅙ in. long; stamens 6; styles 2; fr. lenticular, black.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Meshra El Rek & Ghabat El Arab, Bongo: Zariba Agad Ngulfala); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa, Yei River).
=P. tomentosum= _Willd._
Tall aquatic herb, more fulvous than the above; stamens usually 7; bracts truncate, ciliate, otherwise as above.
Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov. (Rahad); Upper White Nile Prov. (mouth of Sobat); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Bodumo swamps & Nabambisso River); Bahr El Jebel (Sudd); Mongalla Prov. Yei River).
=P. senegalense= _Meisn._
Perennial, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves distinctly petioled, oblong-lanceolate, narrowed both ends, 2-8 in. long; ochreæ large, truncate, not ciliate. Racemes 2-3 in. long; bracts ovate, not ciliate; per. pale pink, minute; stamens 7; styles 2; nut orbicular, flattened, shining, blackish.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft).
=P. acuminatum= _H.B._ & _K._ =var. microstemon= _Mart._
Pubescent herb. Leaves lin.-lanceolate, acuminate, 6 in. long, adpressed hairy on both sides; ochreæ bristly. Spikes dense, 2-3 in. long, 2-4 to a stem; bracts ovate, ciliate; per. pink, minute, 4-5 lobed; style bifid; nut lenticular.
Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).
=P. glabrum= _Willd._ TIMSAHIYA (Khartoum)—Arab.
Glabrous marsh herb, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, up to 8 in. long; ochreæ large, membranous. Spikes dense, 2 in. long; per. pink; stamens 6-8; styles 2; nut lenticular, orbicular.
Nubia; Dongola Prov. (Saikot); Between Khartoum & Shendi; Blue Nile Prov. (Bagras, Dinder River); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, Wadi Gindi 7,300 ft.); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Wau in Jur).
An infusion of the leaves is used to relieve pain in case of colic.
91 =Rumex abyssinicus= _Jacq._
Very tall herb with perennial root stock; stems hollow, reddish. Leaves triangular or ovate, hastate, up to 8 in. long; petals up to 4 in. long, red; ochreæ membranous, ¾ in. long. Panicle terminal, branched, 1 ft. long; flowers polygamous; per. lobes 6, 3 inner enlarged in fr. to ¼ in.; stamens 6; styles 3, stigmas fimbriate; nut 3-gonous.
Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6-8,000 ft.).
=R. vesicarius= _Linn._
Branched herb. Leaves deltoid or ovate, 1¼ in. long, cordate, fleshy; petals up to 1½ in. long. Panicles terminal; flowers 1-2 on jointed ped. in the whorls; bracts as long as ped., scarious; per. segm. ⅓ in. diameter in fr., reddish, winged; nut almost 3-winged.
Red Sea Prov. (Littoral); Darfur Prov. (J. Meidob, 4,000 ft.).
=R. nepalensis= _Spreng._