Part 7

Stout perennial, 3-4 ft. high. Basal leaves long petioled, oblong, rounded or cordate at base, 1 ft. or more long, cauline ovate-oblong, cordate to lanceolate. Panicles long, lax, with reduced leaves below; flowers many in a whorl; pedicels deflexed; inner per. segm. ⅛ in. in fruit, ovate-cordate margined with hooked teeth; nut ovoid-triquetrous.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Guloberi Wadi, 8,000 ft.).

=ILLECEBRACEÆ.=

92 =Paronychia argentea= _Lam._

Densely tufted, pubescent herb, 3-6 in. high. Leaves opposite, lower oblanceolate, mucronate, upper shorter, oblong; stipules and bracts white-scarious, the latter completely hiding the flowers which are in dense terminal clusters; per. very minute, 5-partite lobes hooded at tip.

Dongola Prov. (Khandak).

93 =Cometes abyssinica= _R. Br._

Erect perennial, 6-12 in. high, pubescent and much branched. Leaves opposite or verticillate, lanceolate, sessile. Flowers in terminal clusters, bracts enlarged in fruit, silky, long, whitish, forming globose, somewhat rotate heads about 1 in. diameter; per. ⅙ in. long, green.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Khor Tamanib, Khor Ashat, Has Has, Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft. and over).

=PHYTOLACCACEÆ.=

94 =Mohlana nemoralis= _Mart._

Erect annual, 3-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, oblong, acute or acuminate, up to 6 in. long. Racemes moderately dense, 2-5 in. long; perianth small, dark green, obliquely campanulate, veined in fr., segments 4, unequal, lowest largest; stamens 4; anthers versatile sagittate; fr. fleshy, lenticular.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Naporruporru).

95 =Phytolacca octandra= _Linn._

Erect perennial, 2-3 ft. high; stems stout. Leaves alternate, oblong, 3-4 in. long. Racemes very dense; per. green, 5-partite; stamens about 8; fr. globose, purple-black.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

=CHENOPODIACEÆ.=

96 =Chenopodium album= _Linn._ FISS EL KELAB—Arab.

Erect herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, 1-1½ in. long, coarse-dentate, mealy. Panicles axillary; per. lobes 5, triangular, incurved; stamens 5, filam. short; styles 2, seed globose, black-brown.

Kordofan Prov.

The plant is eaten as a pot-herb. It is also said to have laxative properties.

=C. murale= _Linn._

Erect herb, mealy all over. Leaves ovate, obscurely 3-lobed, coarsely serrate, 1-4 in. long. Panicles terminal and axillary, more spreading than in above. Flowers as above.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat.); Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).

It is eaten as a pot-herb.

=C. Schraderianum= _Roem._ & _Schult._

Herb, 2-5 ft. high. Leaves pinnatifid, 1-4 in. long, covered with stalked and sessile yellow glands. Panicle much branched and in zigzags; per. segments 5; triangular, keeled, with stalked glands.

Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, 6,500 ft.).

97 =Atriplex farinosa= _Forsk._

Undershrub, 3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, lanceolate-oblong, 1½ in. long, short petioled, some cordate or auricled, densely white-tomentose beneath. Flowers unisexual, in terminal spikes or panicles, male flower per. 5-lobed; stamens 3-5; female flower enclosed in 2 orbicular, tomentose bracts, 1/5 in. diameter in fr., per. 0, styles 2-branched.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

98 =Kochia cana= _Boiss._

Undershrub; branchlets white, obscurely silky. Leaves alternate, oblong, 1/5 in. long, hairy. Infl. subglobose, embedded in long brown hairs, axillary or terminal, 2-sexual or female; per. lobes 5, incurved and enlarged in fr.; stamens 5; styles 2-3.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

99 =Halopeplis perfoliata= _Schweinf._

Woody, branched undershrub, 1-2 ft. high, nodes approximate. Leaves alternate, very small, sessile, decurrent, glabrous. Spikes small, dense; per. 3-toothed; stamens 1-2.

Red Sea Prov. (Littoral).

100 =Arthrocnemum fruticosum= _Moq._

Undershrub, branches short-jointed. Leaves 0. Flowers 2-sexual, very small, partially sunk in cylindric, dense spikes 1½-2½ in. long; per. 3-4 lobed; stamens 1-2.

Red Sea Prov. (Saline marshes, Er-Rih Island).

101 =Salsola fœtida= _Del._ DEBERRAH (Nubia) & MULLEY (Egypt)—Arab.

Evil-smelling undershrub, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, orbicular, minute, fleshy, imbricate; bracteoles similar. Flowers in short, dense axillary spikes; per. 5-partite, segments in fr. winged, scarious; stamens 5; style 2-branched.

Wadi Halfa (on sandstone); Berber Prov. (Obeish); Between Berber & Khartoum; Red Sea Prov. (Suakin & 21° N. Lat.).

=S. vermiculata= _Linn._

Pubescent undershrub. Leaves alternate or fascicled, ovate, up to ⅓ in. long, keeled at base. Flowers in dense spikes, as above.

Nubia (banks of the Nile, near Tingur).

102 =Suæda fruticosa= _Forsk._ ADLIB—Arab.

Glabrous undershrub, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves alternate, scattered, linear, fleshy, ¼-⅔ in. long. Flowers minute, axillary, solitary or clustered; per. urn-shaped in bud; lobes 5; stamens 5; style short, 3-armed.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin, 21° N. Lat & Littoral).

=S. monoica= _Forsk._

Similar to above; upper leaves larger; flowers larger and mostly 1-sexual.

Between Suakin & Berber (Khor Langeb); Kordofan Prov. (Maties).

=S. Volkensii= _C. B. Clarke._

Succulent undershrub. Leaves oblong, up to ⅓ in. long. Flowers clustered on nearly continuous spikes. Per. larger than in _S. fruticosa_, pentagonal, swollen in fruit.

Red Sea Prov. (saline soils on sea-coast).

=S. vermiculata= _Forsk._

Spreading, white tomentose undershrub. Leaves ovate, sub-globose, up to ⅙ in. long, mealy and glandular, tubercled at base. Flowers in dense spikes; bracts spirally inserted, white-margined; filaments exserted.

Red Sea Prov.

=S. vermiculata= _Forsk._ =var. puberula= _C. B. Clarke._

Leaves linear, up to ⅓ in. long without tubercle.

Red Sea Prov. (Coast).

103 =Cornulaca monacantha= _Del._

Much branched, rigid undershrub. Leaves alternate lanceolate, up to ¼ in. long, curved, ending in a spine, which drops off when old and the base becomes a cushion. Flowers clustered, buried in wool, polygamous; per. segments 5, 1 or more spinescent in fruit.

Dongola Prov.

=C. Ehrenbergii= _Aschers._

Leaves densely imbricated, mucronate; flowers solitary, not buried in wool, axillary, otherwise as above.

Red Sea Prov. (Coast).

=AMARANTACEÆ.=

104 =Celosia argentea= _Linn._ DANAB EL KELB (H. Abbas), & SHEIBA (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Branched herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves alternate, linear to spathulate- elliptic, 1-5 in. long; petals 1-2 in. long. Spikes dense, scarious, silvery-white, pink or straw-coloured, up to 6 in. long; per. ⅓ in. long, 5-fid; stamens 5, filaments united at base; style 3-branched.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); South of Khartoum; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Sobat River (Nasser).

The seeds are a remedy for diarrhœa. The plant is sometimes eaten as a pot-herb; it is also said to yield a strong fibre.

=C. laxa= _Schumach._ & _Thonn._

Branched herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves long-petioled below, ovate to lanceolate, up to 3 in. long. Infl. much looser than in above, 2-4 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land by Nabambisso River).

=C. trigyna= _Linn._ BAMBIT (Kordn.), EL BUEIDA (Blue Nile)—Arab.

Straggling herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves long-petioled below, ovate or lanceolate, acuminate, 1-5 in. long. Infl. varying from linear panicles, 4-6 in. long, interrupted, to simple spikes or globular spicate heads, 1 in. in diameter, pink to silvery-white; per. ⅛ in. long; style 3-branched.

Between Korosko & Berber; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Karora); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Zalingei); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur: Jur Ghattas, Niamniam-land); Mongalla Prov. (Lado: Yei River: Kagula).

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

=C. Schweinfurthiana= _Schinz._

Scrambling herb, 4-5 ft. long. Leaves long-petioled, ovate-lanceolate, 3 in. long. Panicles linear, up to 10 in. long, or elongate, interrupted spikes; per. 1/10 in. long; style bifid.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land).

=C. populifolia= _Moquin._

Straggling undershrub, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves petioled, ovate-lanceolate, base rounded, 3 in. long. Panicles linear, thyrsoid, 4-7 in. long; per. 1/10 in. long, scarious white with dark lines; style bifid. Caps. 1-seeded.

Kassala Prov. (Goz Regeb); Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Bareis); Darfur Prov.

105 =Digera arvensis= _Forsk._ HARAYRAH, NUARAH, BEBIT or LABLAB AHMAR (Blue Nile Prov.), & ASFAR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab; AMMĀL (Meshra El Zeraf)—Dinka; KILUTUM (Meshra El Zeraf)—Shilluk.

Branched herb, 8-20 in. high. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or ovate, 2 in. long. Spikes axillary 2-7, somewhat interrupted, pink; per. 4-5-fid, ⅙ in. long; stamens 5, not united at base: style 2-fid; caps. 1-seeded.

Widely distributed: Nubia (between Suakin & Berber, Wadi Abu Salem); Kassala Prov.: Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Ghabat El Arab).

It is eaten as a pot-herb, also as fodder. The leaves are used to cure indigestion.

106 =Amarantus caudatus= _Linn._ ORF ED DIK—Arab.

Erect herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves alternate, long-petioled, narrow- elliptic, 2-12 in. long. Spikes red, linear numerous, mostly in terminal panicles; bracts numerous, longer than flowers; per. 1/10 in. long, 5-fid; style 3-fid, long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post & Roseires); Kordofan Prov. (Sigei).

Cultivated for its seed, which is edible. The plant is also cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The garden variety is known as “Love-lies- bleeding.”

=A. tricolor= _Linn._

Herb, 1-5 ft. high. Leaves spathulate-ovate, acuminate, up to 4 in. long; pet. 1-2½ in. long. Spikes axillary and in terminal panicles; per. 1/10 in. long, 3-fid; bracts long-awned, longer than flowers; style 3-branched.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma).

=A. oleraceus= _Linn._

Herb; a weed in cultivation. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 2 in. long, long- petioled. Spikes axillary and terminal, dense; per. very minute, segments 3.

Khartoum Prov.

=A. græcizans= _Linn._ FISS EL KELB, & LISĀN EL TEIR—Arab.

A weed in cultivation. Leaves elliptic, 1-2 in. long, long-petioled. Spikes globose, axillary and terminal; per. segments 3, minute, tailed.

Khartoum, Kassala & Kordofan Provinces.

=A. Blitum= _Linn._ LISĀN EL TEIR (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

A weed in cultivation, 15 in. high. Leaves narrow-oblong to obovate ½-1½ in. long including pet. Spikes copious, axillary; flowers still smaller than above.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin); Khartoum, Blue Nile, White Nile, Kordofan & Bahr El Ghazal Provinces.

=A. polygamus= _Linn._

A weed, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves ovate-elliptic, 2 in. long; pet. often very long. Spikes axillary; flowers as above.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.

107 =Aerva tomentosa= _Forsk._ GHUBEISH (Nomads, Kordn.), SHEIBA (N. Kordn.), LERU or (EL) ARA or LARA—Arab; EIGAB—Hadendowa.

Undershrub, 2-4 ft. high, with dense white stellate hairs. Leaves alternate, lanceolate, 4 in. long. Flowers in spiked terminal, leafless, dense panicles, 2 in. long; per. 5-fid, ⅛ in. long, hairy; bracts hairy; stamens 5; filaments united in a tube with alternating staminodes, style 2-branched; caps. 1-seeded.

Widely distributed. Red Sea Prov.; Dongola Prov. (Khandak); Berber Prov. (Saggadi, Wadi Omari); Khartoum, Blue Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

The woolly spikes are used for stuffing pillows and donkey saddles. The roots are used as tooth-brushes. It is used medicinally for horses and camels.

=var.= β. =Bovel= _Webb._

More tawny than type. Leaves oblong or obovate, 1 in. long. Flowers smaller; spikes more slender and interrupted.

Red Sea Prov. (between Suakin & Berber); Dongola Prov. (Debba): Kordofan Prov.

=A. Ruspolii= _Lopr._

Bushy, tawny-woolly herb. Leaves oblong and obovate, ½ in. long, recurved. Spikes small and interrupted.

Berber Prov. (17° 30′ Lat. N.).

=A. lanata= _Juss._

Woolly herb, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves ovate, 1½ in. long. Spikes axillary and terminal, ¼-½ in. long; flowers small, densely white-woolly; bracts glabrous-pointed.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, sea-coast, Erkowit); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Nabambisso River: Niamniam-land).

=var.= β. =oblongata= _Aschers._

Leaves thick, very woolly. Spikes in a dense, narrow panicle, 1 ft. long.

Red. Sea Prov. (Soturba).

=A. brachiata= _Mart._

More glabrate than _A. lanata_ and smaller. Infl. axillary; flowers very minute; stamens 2 only.

White Nile, Kordofan & Darfur Provinces.

108 =Cyathula prostrata= _Blume._

Hairy or glabrate herb, 1-3 ft. high. Leaves ovate or obovate, 1-4 in. long. Spikes terminal, 2-6 in. long, ¼ in. wide; bracts with straight and hooked spines; per. segments 5, blunt or spinose, 1/12 in. long; stamens 5, alternating with staminodes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: Kalenjo).

109 =Pupalia lappacea= _Juss._ LAMRAGA—Bari.

Hairy herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, 2-6 in. long. Infl. in terminal subspicate clusters, 2-4 in. long; flowers about 3 together enclosed by 2 bracts and 4 bracteoles covered with white, woolly hairs and hooked and barbed spines forming very troublesome burrs; stamens 5; filaments connate at base.

Red Sea Prov.; Suakin to Berber (Wadi Omari); Fung Prov. (Roseires, Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol & rocky hills); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Maiuoli, Jur: Dimo); Bahr El Jebel.

At Rejaf the plant is used medicinally, being burnt and the ashes added to water and drunk for flatulence. It is also said to be used for leprosy; sores are bled and the ashes of the plant, called DIKERI TIMALLO, are rubbed in. Patients eat light food and no meat.

110 =Psilotrichum cordatum= _Moquin._

Herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves opposite, ovate, 1½ in. long, hairy. Panicles terminal, 1-2 ft. long; spikes ½-1½ in. long, 4-12 flowered, bracteoles 2, shorter than flowers; per. segments 5, ⅛ in. long, green, hairy; stamens 5, filaments joined into a cup at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba).

=P. Schimperi= _Engl._

Glabrous branched herb, 18 in. high. Leaves lin.-oblong, 2 in. long. Spikes terminal and subaxillary, up to 5 in. long in fruit; per. green.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

111 =Achyranthes aspera= _Linn._ ABRUKAB (Sennar), DANAB EL ABILANI or FAKHAH or NA’ANA’A (Meshra El Zeraf), ANAWIDIK (Khartoum), ERG EL ASDA & ERG EL DAM (Blue Nile)—Arab; DARATNIUWA—Hadendowa; EILUKWATEN (Dilling)—Nuba.

Straggling or erect woody herb. Leaves opposite, elliptic, 2-3 in. long. Spikes usually simple, 2-18 in. long, occasionally compound and feathery; bracteoles spiny; fr. deflexed, somewhat prickly.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Khortratib); from Lat. 15° 30′ southwards.

Root chewed and used as a styptic on cuts.

=A. aspera= _Linn._ =var. argentea= _C. B. Clarke._

Leaves silky, strigose beneath with white hairs, often silvery.

Kordofan Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (near mouth of Bahr El Ghazal); Mongalla Prov. (Kenissa).

=A. aquatica= _R. Br._

Hirsute aquatic herb. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, 3-4 in. long. Spikes 3 in. long; bracteoles small; per. straw-coloured; fr. deflexed as above.

Fung Prov. (Deleib, Khor Agalin, & Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (Abba Island & Kosti); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

112 =Pandiaka cylindrica= _Hook. f._

Hairy herb. Leaves opposite, subsessile, oblong, 1 in. long. Spikes 1½ in. long, pinkish straw-coloured; bracteoles 2, longer than per., mucronate, white-hairy; per. ¼ in. long, white-hairy; stamens 5, connate at base with quadrate alternating hairy staminodes.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (between Limbo’s & Abu Shakka’s, Jur Majob); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

=P. Heudelotii= _Hook. f._

Hairy herb, 2-3 ft. high. Leaves sessile, linear, 2-3 in. long. Spikes 1 in. long, green to straw-coloured; bracteoles ⅙ in. long, pointed; per. 1/5 in. long, hairy; stamens as above, glabrous.

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

=P. Schweinfurthii= _C. B. Clarke._

Herb, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves sessile, broad-elliptic or oblanceolate. Spikes 1½ in. long, terminal, straw-coloured; stamens as above, staminodes long-fimbriate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Dar Fertit).

=P. oblanceolata= _C. B. Clarke._

Sparsely hairy herb. Leaves oblanceolate-oblong, 1¾ in. long, sessile. Spikes 2 in. long, pale-brown; bracteoles 1/5 in., bristle-pointed as is the per., which is ⅓ in. long; staminodes lacerate.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo, Addai).

113 =Alternanthera nodiflora= _R. Br._ ABU TUMRA (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Procumbent hairy herb, 6-24 in. long. Leaves opposite; oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, ½-2½ in. long. Heads axillary, ⅓ in. diameter, white; per. segm. ⅙ in. long; stamens 5, filaments united into a cup with alternate notched teeth.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat: Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.; Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok).

=A. achyranthoides= _Forsk._

Leaves usually lobed, otherwise as above but per. smaller.

Berber Prov. (Saggadi); Blue Nile Prov. (Wad Medani); White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Wau River); Bahr El Jebel.

=BASELLACEÆ.=

114 =Basella alba= _Linn._

Glabrous, much branched, twining herb. Leaves alternate, ovate or cordate, 2-4 in. long, long-petioled, almost leafless in dry season. Flowers 2-sexual, in axillary spikes with 2 fleshy bractlets adnate to per.; per. fleshy, shortly 5-lobed; stamens 5; styles 3. Fr. globose, enclosed in enlarged per., 1/5 in. diameter, red, white or black.

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

Cultivated as a Spinach.

=LINACEÆ.=

115 =Linum strictum= _Linn._

Erect herb. Leaves linear, scabrid. Flowers yellow, small, in cymose corymbs. Capsule splitting into 5 2-seeded valves or into 10 1-seeded valves.

Red Sea Prov.

116 =Hugonia platysepala= _Welw._

Shrub, 6-9 ft. high. Leaves alternate, shining above, broadly oblanceolate to obovate oblong, acute or cuspidate. Flowers in few flowered racemes, yellow, over 1 in. across; outer sepals with revolute margins; stamens monadelphous. Fruit globose, orange-coloured, ½ in. diameter.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Yuru River).

=ZYGOPHYLLACEÆ.=

117 =Tribulus terrestris= _Linn._ DREISA or DEREISA, GATHA (Egypt)—Arab; KÜRWAI—Nuer.

Prostrate plant with opposite pari-pinnate leaves; fruit of 5 woody cocci, each with 2 pairs of stiff spines. Flowers solitary yellow. Sepals and petals 5 each, stamens 10, distinct.

In most parts of the Sudan.

The whole plant, especially the fruit, used medicinally as a diuretic. The leaves are occasionally eaten.

=T. mollis= _Ehrb._

Like _T. terrestris_, but flowers very small, fruits densely pilose and with wings rather than horns at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); Khartoum Prov.

=T. alatus= _Del._ GATHA (Egypt), DREYS—Arab; SHEISHIG—Hadendowa; GUTAB—Rashida.

Prostrate herb; fruit spinosely and broadly winged, otherwise much like _T. terrestris_.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab, etc.); Berber Prov.; Kassala Prov. (Um Adam).

=T. pterocarpus= _Ehrenb._

Prostrate herb; fruit roundish winged, otherwise like _T. terrestris_.

Dongola Prov.; Between Suakin & Berber (Obak).

=T. cistoides= _Linn._

Like _T. terrestris_, but stigmatic lobes not longer than diameter of style.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

=T. Ehrenbergii= _Asch._

Densely villous herb; wings of fruit toothed.

Dongola Prov.

118 =Zygophyllum simplex= _Linn._

Prostrate, succulent, much branched herb. Leaves opposite, 1-fol., unequal, fleshy. Flowers yellow, small, on short peduncles. Fruit deeply 5-lobed, small.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (21° N. Lat., and Akik); Between Khartoum & Sabil; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

Camel fodder.

=Z. album= _Linn._

Hoary shrub; fruit deeply 5-lobed, obcordate. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov.

=Z. coccineum= _Linn._

Glabrous shrub; fruit 5-lobed. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Soturba hills).

=Z. decumbens= _Del._

Glabrous herb or undershrub. Leaves diphyllous, fleshy. Flowers numerous; staminal scales deeply 2-fid. Fruit deeply 5-lobed, turbinate.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Soturba).

119 =Fagonia cretica= _Linn._ ABU-SHOKA, ABU-SHWEIKA & SHOLIB—Arab; OSAR—Hadendowa.

Bushy, spinose, shrubby herb. Leaves opposite, 1-5 fol., nearly sessile. Flowers solitary, usually purple or lilac. Fruit pyramidal, deeply 5-lobed.

Red Sea Prov.; Kassala Prov. (between Goz Regeb & Bir Tussun); Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov.; Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Kordofan (Taiara & Obeid); Darfur Prov. (Plains 40-80 miles N.E. of El Fasher).

Used in native medicines for tumours, ulcers, etc.

=var. parviflora= _Boiss._

Leaves 1-fol.; leaflets linear-lanceolate. Spines exceeding the leaves.

Nubia (Otao).

120 =Seetzenia africana= _R. Br._

Prostrate herb, woody below. Leaves opposite, 3-fol., with interpetiolar stipules, fleshy. Flowers small, axillary, solitary. Fruit of 5 1-seeded cocci, separating longitudinally, sub-globose.

Dongola Prov. (J. Barkal).

=GERANIACEÆ.=

121 =Monsonia senegalensis= _Guill._ EL GURUN (N. Kordn.)—Arab.

Diffuse shrubby herb with ovate-cordate leaves. Flowers purple on 1-flowered peduncles. Fruit beaked, beak 3 in. long. Stamens 15.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat); White Nile Prov. (Jebelein & J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

=M. nivea= _Webb._

Small white pubescent herb with ovate-lanceolate (not cordate) leaves. Fruit beak 1½ in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Dongonab).

122 =Geranium favosum= _Hochst._

Annual, up to 4 ft. high; branches glandular, pilose above.

Leaves deeply 5-lobed, segments pinnatifid. Peduncles 2-flowered; stamens 10. Carpels transversely deeply pitted, with or without tails. Fruit beaked.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & 21° N.L., etc.).

123 =Erodium malachoides= _Willd._ KORĪAB—Hadendowa.

Stemless herb with decumbent branches, pubescent. Radical leaves, ovate- cordate, more or less 3-5-lobed, crenate. Fruit beak up to 2½ in. long.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & 21° N.L.); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: 9,000 ft.)

=OXALIDACEÆ.=

124 =Oxalis caprina= _Linn._

Tuberous stemless herb. Leaves 3-fol. with obcordate leaflets; leaf stalks up to 6 in. long. Flowers purplish in 3-8 flowered umbels on long peduncles.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

=O. corniculata= _Linn._

Perennial herb with long creeping or underground stems. Leaves trifoliolate. Flowers yellow, 1-3 in umbels on axillary peduncles exceeding the leaves.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam-land: by the Nabambisso); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra: Niurnya 7,000 ft.).

125 =Biophytum Apodiscias= _Turcz._

Annual; leaves abruptly pinnate, crowded at nodes and ends of stem and branches, sensitive. Flowers, yellow or red, in umbels on axillary peduncles, with numerous setaceous bracts. Styles 5. Fruit a 5-celled capsule.

White Nile Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

=BALSAMINACEÆ.=

126 =Impatiens niamniamensis= _Gilg._

Herb 1 ft. high. Leaves ovate-lanceolate deeply crenate, about 6 in. long. Flowers with the upper petal green, the spur dull purple.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Assika River).

=I. Irvingii= _Hook. f._

Succulent herb, 2-4 ft. high. Leaves usually alternate, lanceolate, serrulate, 3-5 in. long. Flowers red, solitary or in pairs, irregular, the spur of calyx much longer than the body of the lip. Capsule short, elastically splitting into 5-valves.

Belgian Congo (Niamniam-land: by the Mbrwole & Yuru Rivers).

=LYTHRACEÆ.=

127 =Rotala verticillaris= _Linn._

Herb, often procumbent. Leaves in whorls of 4-8, narrow linear, truncate or bifid at apex. Flowers sessile, whorled, small.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

=R. serpiculoides= _Welw._

Marsh herb, 1-3 in. high. Leaves opposite, linear, ab. 1 in. long. Flowers 1-4 together; calyx 4 deltoid lobes, reddish; petals rare, reddish; stamens 1-2: capsules 3-valved, reddish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur-land).

=R. decussata= _Hiern._

Marsh herb, 1-9 in. high. Leaves decussate, oblong, ½ in. long. Flowers sessile, solitary; calyx 4-lobed; petals 4 or 0; capsule 3-valved.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land; between Ngama & Dokuttu).

=R. stagnina= _Hiern._

Erect marsh herb 4 in. high. Leaves opposite, ovate-oblong, 2 in. long. Flowers 4-merous, sessile; petals 0 or caducous; stamens 2; capsules 3-valved.

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

=R. tenella= _Schwfth._

Creeping marsh herb. Leaves sessile, amplexicaul. Flowers minute, white; capsule globose, 4-valved.

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

128 =Woodfordia floribunda= _Salisb._

Shrub with spreading branches. Leaves opposite, sometimes in whorls of 3, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, cordate or rounded at base. Flowers in axillary clusters; calyx tubular, scarlet; petals minute.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Khor Mashisha, near Dilling); Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, 5-6,500 ft.).

It exudes a gum said to be like Gum Tragacanth. The flowers are used as a dye. Both flowers and leaves contain tannin.

129 =Nesæa heptamera= _Hiern._

Small herb with red heptamerous, minute flowers. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate, about 1 in. long.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (near Pongo River).

=N. erecta= _Guill._ & _Perr._

Small herb on river banks, up to 10 in. high. Leaves opposite, linear ¾ in. long. Flowers magenta or purple: petals 4-6.

Mongalla Prov. (Bor); Uganda (Nile Province).

=N. cordata= _Hiern._

Riverside herb, up to 9 in. high. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, cordate at base, ½ in. long. Flowers in heads of 5 surrounded by 2 cordate bracts; petals pink.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur. Ghattas & Bongo-land: Gir); Bahr El Jebel (Madi Swamps).

130 =Ammannia senegalensis= _Lam._ TAMR EL FAR (Meshra El Zeraf)—Arab.

Erect, branched herb with 4-winged stem. Flowers axillary, pink, 4-merous. Leaves linear-oblong to lanceolate, auricled, amplexicaul, 2-in. long, opposite.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (near Abba Island, J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Jebel (Madi); Darfur Prov. (Zalingei: Wadi Azum).

The plant is used as a blistering agent.

=A. baccifera= _Linn._

Erect herb with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, linear-lanceolate, 2 in. long. Cymes 3-7. Flowers sub-sessile, axillary; calyx 4-lobed; petals 4 or 0; stamens 4; capsule globular, dehiscing transversely about the middle.

Dongola Prov. (between Dongola & Korti); between Khartoum & Shendi; Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

The leaves are used for blistering, but the effect is said to be most painful.

=A. salicifolia= _Monti in Comment._

Marsh herb, 18 in. high, with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, lanceolate. Flower small, in dense cymes, whorled, 4-9 in each axil. Capsule 1-celled.

Red Sea Prov. (21° N.L.); between Khartoum & Shendi).

=A. urceolata= _Hiern._

Erect annual with 4-angled stem. Leaves opposite, linear, ½ to 2 in. long. Flowers in dense axillary clusters, 6 in each axil. Capsule 1-celled.

White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol).

131 =Lawsonia alba= _Lam._ HENNA—Arab.