Part 1
A HAUSA BOTANICAL VOCABULARY
A HAUSA BOTANICAL VOCABULARY
BY JOHN M. DALZIEL, M.D., B.Sc., D.T.M. West African Medical Staff
T. FISHER UNWIN LTD. LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE
_First published in 1916._
(_All rights reserved_)
A HAUSA BOTANICAL VOCABULARY
=A=
=abakuru=, a food made from the ground-bean; _vide_ under =kwaruru=.
=abantoko=, a var. of =dawa= _q.v._
=abawa=, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=abduga= or =auduga=, indigenous species of Gossypium (Malvaceæ)—G. peruvianum, Cav. G. punctatum, Sch. et Thon. G. obtusifolium, Roxb. G. arboreum, L. with varieties, hybrids and other introduced species. The Cotton Plant or raw cotton. Syn. =kaḍa= (Sok.). Varieties known in different districts are:—_ba ka tuka_, or _ba tuka_, _ya tabshi_, _ya tsauri_, or _ya ḳarifi_, _kwanta Ali da zugu_, _Ba-Gwandare_, _yar gari_ (G. obtusifolium, var. africana, Watt.), _gwundi_ (G. peruvianum var. with red leaf veins), _chukwi_, _laḅayi_ (G. punctatum), and _kanawa_ or _matan kanawa_ (G. arboreum, L. var. sanguinea, Watt.); the leaves of the last or of _gwundi_ are used for making a red dye for thread. _guriya_ (Sok.), _anguriya_ (Kano), or _yan guriya_ = cotton seed; _sutu_ or _subtu_ = cotton freed from the seed by crushing with a stone and roller and pulled by hand before carding with the _masaḅi_ or _bakan shiḅa_ (cotton carding bow); _saḅi_ or _shiḅa_ = carded cotton; _zare_ = thinly plied cotton thread, used chiefly for the warp, and sometimes for warp and weft; _abawa_ (Kano), or _bartake_ (Sok.) = thicker loosely plied thread used for the weft; (the coarse cloth _goddo_, or _nuru_ (East Hausa), woven on a vertical loom in broad strips and with a fringe, has _abawa_ in warp and weft); _waḍari_ = cotton yarn ready for weaving; _fari_ (Kano) = woven cotton strips; _zugu_ (Sok.) = cotton strips in a roll (= _kunkurun fari_, Kano); _sawaye_ (Sok.) = the same unrolled; _taḅe_ (Sok.), or _chin aduga_ (Kano) = to pluck cotton out of the pod.
=abokin kibiya=, a tall grass used for arrow-shafts; _vide_ =ḳyamro=.
=aburu=, a grass used for food; _vide_ =iburu=.
=acha=, Digitaria exilis, Stapf. (Paspalum exile, Kipp.) (Gramineæ); a small grass cultivated as a cereal in several Hausa provinces, in Bornu, and by many pagan tribes. Syn. =intaya= (Sok. Kamberi, Kamuku, &c.), “Hungry Rice”. _cf._ also =tumbin jaki=.
=a chi da gero=, =a chi da kara=, =a chi da nono=, vars. of Guinea Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.
=aduruku=, Newbouldia lævis, Sun. (Bignoniaceæ); a tall slender tree with handsome purple flowers; often planted around native compounds. Syn. =ba reshe?=
=aduwa=, Balanites ægyptiaca, Del. (Simarubeæ). “Desert Date”; a thorny tree common in the north, deciduous but with evergreen branches, bifoliate leaves and yellow bitter-sweet fruit; its gum = _ḳaron aduwa_; the seeds yield “Oil of Betu” (Kanuri, _bito_); _dabagira_ = flowers of _aduwa_, boiled and eaten with _daudawa_, _q.v._ salt and pepper; _kaikwaiyo_ (Sok. Kano, &c.) = the kernel, sold as a medicine. Fruit edible; a common ingredient in fish-poison.
=ago= or =agu= (Gwari); a fish-poison, prepared usually from Tephrosia Vogelii (_cf._ =baina=, _vide_ under =majimfa=); sometimes from the pods of Cassia spp. (_vide_ =gamma faḍa=, &c.); _cf._ =aduwa=.
=agugu=, a native drug; the rhizome of a fern used for tapeworm; probably = “Male Fern” (Nephrodium Filix-mas); not indigenous; brought chiefly from Adamawa.
=agushi=, the seeds of a var. of the Water Melon, Citrullus vulgaris (_vide_ =guna=); chewed raw or used in soup.
=aguwa= _vide_ =ḳaguwa=.
=akiye= or =akwiye=, the seeds of =kiriya=, _q.v._
=akwalu= (Kano and East), Trochomeria sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild twiner with a large tuberous root, edible when cooked. Syn. =basko=, or =basgo= (West Sokoto).
=akwuya=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._
=alale=, Blighia sapida, Koenig (Sapindaceæ). “Akee apple”; a tree found in the southern provinces, with red capsular fruit; the spongy white aril around the seeds is edible. (?Nupé _ella_ = the name of the fruit). In Hausa generally called =Gwanja kusa=, _q.v._
=alambo=, Sesbania leptocarpa, DC. (Leguminosæ); a slender branched tree with yellow flowers and narrow jointed pods, common on river-banks. (Kanuri, _paiya paiya_). Other species are included, e.g. S. aculeata, Pers. S. ægyptiaca, Poir, &c.; _cf._ also =sasabani= and =zamarke=.
=alayafu=, Amaranthus caudatus, L. (Amaranthaceæ). Native spinage; an excellent cultivated vegetable; a red variety resembles the ornamental plant “Love-lies-bleeding.” =farin alayafu=, Celosia argentea, L. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect weed of fields, 1 to 2 feet high, with pink and silvery flowering spike, not cultivated but used as a pot-herb.
=albasa=, Allium Cepa, Willd. (Liliaceæ). The onion. Two varieties are distinguished, viz. _guda_ (Kano), or _gudaji_ (Sok.), the common bulbous onion; and _shafa_ (Kano), _safa_ (Sok.), the spring onion; _lawashi_ or _gabu_ (Sok.) = onion leaves pounded and dried, sold in the form of balls and used in soup. _cf._ =tafarnuwa=.
=albasar kura=, Urginea nigritiana, Bak. (Liliaceæ), and other common bulbous plants growing wild.
=albasar kwaḍi=, Crinum yuccæflorum, Salisb. (Amaryllideæ); a common plant of damp places, with an umbel of large lily-like flowers, white with a purple stripe. (Other species are included and the names of this and the last are commonly confused.) The scarlet-flowered Hæmanthus rupestris, Bak. (Amaryllideæ), “Blood Flower”, bears the same name.
=algarif=, the seeds of the “Common” or “Garden Cress,” Lepidium sativum, Linn. _vide_ =labsur=; sold as a medicine; a red variety =algaru ja= in small masses, and a black variety usually loose; preparations are made for external and internal use.
=alhaji=, Ærua tomentosa, Forst. (Amaranthaceæ); an erect plant with hoary white leaves and flowers. (Etym. from the completely white habit, but the name like =Ba-Fillatani=, _q.v._ is probably applied to other white plants). More generally known as =furfura ta gyatumi=, _q.v._
=alibida=, _vide_ =alubada=.
=aliliba=, Cordia abyssinica, R. Br. (Boragineæ); a tree with broad leaves, white flowers, and sweet yellow berries used in making _allewa_, &c.
=aliyara=, _vide_ =ḳaguwa=.
=alkama=, Triticum sativum, Lam. sub-race T. vulgare, Vill. “Common Wheat;” or T. compositum, Linn. “Mummy,” “Miracle” or “Egyptian Wheat;” grown chiefly in the north on river-banks with irrigation. _taliya_, a sort of macaroni made from _alkama_ flour; _gurasa_, a sort of native wheaten bread; _punkaso_ (Kano), or _fankaso_, wheaten cakes fried in oil. The following are delicacies made from _alkama_:—_dashishi_, cakes like _masa_ but made with honey-water; _sunasar_, a preparation of wheat with meat and butter; _tuwon ḅaure_ = _tuwo_ made with finely ground wheat and butter instead of water.
=alkaman tururuwa=, Spermacoce stachydea, DC. (Rubiaceæ); a common weed eaten by goats, &c. (Etym. _tururuwa_, a species of social harvesting ant).
=alubada= or =alibida=, Carpodinus hirsuta, Hua (Apocynaceæ); a woody climber; one of the rubber vines in the south.
=amai mussa= (Sok.), Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass with an unpleasant smell. (Etym. “cat’s vomit”). Syn. =buddari= (Sok.), _q.v_, and =bunsurun fadama= (Katsina and East).
=amara=, Tacca involucrata, Sch. et Thon. (Taccaceæ); a wild perennial herb with an edible tuber; cultivated in some districts, chiefly by Fulani; in the Benué district gathered wild and sold in the form of a starchy meal. (The same as “South Sea arrowroot” of the Sandwich and Society Islands). _vide_ also under =giginyar biri=.
=anguriya=, cotton seed, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=anza= (Sok. Kats. &c.), =hanza= (Gobir), Boscia angustifolia, A. Rich. (Capparideæ); a pale-leaved shrub; the berries are edible and sometimes the bark is prepared with cereals as a food similarly to the plant =bagayi=, _q.v._ hence also called =anza rashin bagayi=; including also the broader-leaved B. senegalensis, Lam. cf. =zayi=.
=arakke= (Sok.), _vide_ =rake=; Saccharum officinarum, L. one of the two species of sugar-cane.
=ararabi=, _vide_ =hano=.
=ataras=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=atillis=, a tree, the nut of which yields an oil used medicinally as food, &c. Canarium Schweinfurthii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). “African Elemi Tree.”
=auduga=, _vide_ =abduga=.
=awarwaro=, Ipomœa aquatica, Forsk. (Convolvulaceæ); a prostrate purple-flowered convolvulus with hastate leaves, in muddy and marshy places; (loosely applied to other species of convolvulus). Syn. =furen gyado= (because the roots are eaten by wart-hog).
=aya=, Cyperus esculentus, L. the “Tiger Nut” or “Rush Nut;” a sedge, cultivated for its small edible tuber.
=aya aya=, Cyperus rotundus, L. (Cyperaceæ); a common wild sedge with edible slightly fragrant tuberous root. Syn. =giri giri= (Sok.); _vide_ also =ḍan Tunuga=. Other wild sedges, e.g. Cyp. Fenzelianus, Steud., &c. are included.
=ayaba=, Musa sapientum, L. (Scitamineæ); the Banana. Musa paradisiaca, L. the Plantain. =ayabar daji=, Musa sp. a wild species with astringent pulp and black stony seeds.
=ayana=, Vitis Thonningii, Baker, Vitis gracilis, Baker, and other species (Ampelideæ); species of wild vines with small berries. From the acidity of the leaves they are also called =yakuwar fatake= or =y. mahalba=. _vide_ also =buḍa yau=.
=B=
=ba-anguri=, a variety of =gero=, _q.v._
=baba=, =b. rini=, or =b. kore=; Indigo plant; chiefly Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other cultivated species of Indigofera (Leguminosæ); I. tinctoria, Linn. I. Anil, Linn., &c. _cf._ =talaki=. _kwosusu_ = the second crop of =baba=, said to be the better; _shuni_ = prepared indigo, the extracted blue dye-stuff, usually sold in cones or small masses and not used in dye-pits; _shuḍi_ = cloth or thread dyed blue; _tamaseki_ = a sort of home-made indigo prepared by women, from =baba= in pots.
=baba hun= (nasal =baba hm=), Gynura cernua, Benth. (Compositæ); a common weed with purple flowers and lyrate leaves; used in soup, &c.
=babar fadama=, Indigofera sp. wild species growing in damp places.
=babar giwa= (Hadeija, &c.), _vide_ =bushi=.
=babar more= (Sok.), Ambrosia maritima, Linn. (Compositæ); an aromatic plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with divided leaves, resembling Wormwood. Syn. =bababa= (from its common occurrence in indigo fields); also called =babar talak= and =tutubidi= (Sok.).
=baba rodo=, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceæ); an erect plant with broad leaves, purple tubular flowers and viscid sap. Also called =loda= (Sok.), but cf. =dafara=.
=babar talaki=, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Benth. (Leguminosæ). “Yoruba Wild Indigo.” _vide_ =talaki= and cf. =farin sansami=.
=babar tamau=, Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other spp. wild or escaped from cultivation.
=babba juji=, =b. jibji=; 1. In Sokoto and Katsina = Datura Metel, Linn. (Solanaceæ), the “Hairy Thorn Apple.” Syn. =zaḳami=, _q.v._ 2. Elsewhere usually = Boerhaavia adscendens, Willd. (Nyctagineæ), a common prostrate weed of rubbish heaps &c. with small pink flowers; also called =sarikin juji= _q.v._
=bădo=, Nymphæa Lotus, Willd. (Nymphæaceæ). White Water-lily; the starchy rhizome and seeds are edible. (Other species are N. guineensis, Sch. and Thonn. with white flowers; N. Heudelotii, Planch. and N. cœrulea, Sav. with purplish flowers), _vide_ =kwankwarita=.
=Ba-Fillatani=, Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. (Boragineæ); a small weed with white flowers. (Similar names are however loosely applied to other plants with pale foliage; e.g. the grass =karani=, _q.v._ and _cf._ =alhaji=.)
=bafuri=, _vide_ under =balbela=.
=bagaruwa= (Kano, Sok., &c.), or =gabaruwa= (Zaria), Acacia arabica, Willd. (Leguminosæ). “Egyptian Mimosa.” Indian “Babool.” An acacia with yellow flower-balls and jointed pods—“Sant pods” or “Gambia pods”—used all over the Sudan for tanning; also used in making a black dye for leather, called _kuloko_, _q.v._ The original source of true gum arabic. (Etym. the first name is a metathetic form of the synonym =gaba ruwa=.)
=bagaruwar ḳassa=, Cassia mimosoides, L. (Leguminosæ); a common weed with yellow flowers and pinnate leaves.
=bagaruwar Makka=, _vide_ =zogalagandi=.
=ba gashi=? (Kontagora), _vide_ under =sheḳani=.
=bagayi=, Cadaba farinosa, Forsk. (Capparideæ); a small-leaved hoary shrub of scrambling habit. The leaves and twigs are mixed with cereals to form a sort of pudding or cake common in East Hausa and Bornu, called _parsa_ (Kanuri), _baleno_, or _tsawa_. Syn. =balambo=. N.B. This plant is confused with =anza=, _q.v._ and in some localities (Katagum, &c.) called by the latter name.
=Ba-Gwandare= (or =bugundare=); 1. a var. of cotton, _vide_ under =abduga=. 2. A var. of =dawa=, _q.v._ (from =Gwandara=, the name of a tribe).
=baina=, 1. A grass with edible seeds. Syn. =baya=, _q.v._ 2. The fish-poison prepared from Tephrosia Vogelii, _vide_ under =majimfa=.
=ba-jini=, Afrormosia sp. (Leguminosæ); a tree with pale leaves and flat pods. (Etym. from the red resinous bark). Syn. =jina jina=.
=ba ka tuka= or =ba tuka=, a var. of cotton, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=baḳin bunnu= (Katagum), Indigofera pulchra, Vahl. (Leguminosæ); a small undershrub with stiff stems, sometimes mixed with thatching grass. (The name is probably applied to other species so used.)
=bakin kada=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._
=bakin mutum= (Sok.), Pleioceras sp. (Apocynaceæ); a shrub with milky juice and long slender pods. Syn. =bakin mayu=, =sandan mayu= (these names refer to mystical uses in divination, &c.); also =gamma sanwa= (or =g. sauwa=), from the forked peduncle with 3 or 4 developing carpels resembling the tripod stove for a cooking-pot = _sanwa_. (? = Holarrhena Wulfsbergii, Stapf).
=bakin raḳumi=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._ Syn. =ḳerama=, and =mallen kabi=.
=bakin suda=, Polycarpæa corymbosa, Lam. (Caryophylleæ); a small wild herb with whitish chaffy flowers; scarcely distinguished from =magudiya=, _q.v._ (_suda_ is the name of a bird).
=balagandi=, _vide_ under =rawaya=.
=balambo=, _vide_ under =bagayi=.
=balasa=, or =balasaya=, Commelyna nudiflora, Linn. (Commelynaceæ); a “spiderwort,” a weed of pastures and waste places, with delicate azure-blue flowers; gathered as cattle fodder. Syn. =kununguru= (East Hausa).
=balbela=, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Compositæ); a white-leaved weed with yellow flowers. (Etym. the name of the white padi bird.) Syn. =bafuri=, and =fara saura=, _q.v._
=baleno=, _vide_ under =bagayi=.
=bambami= (Kontagora, &c.), Alchornea cordata, Benth. (Euphorbiaceæ); a tall woody climber in ravines.
=bambamko= (East Hausa), _vide_ =falfoli=.
=bambana=, the flowering spike of =shalla=, _q.v._ a tall bulrush of marshes.
=bambus= (East Hausa), a variety of Water-Melon; _vide_ =guna=.
=barabutu=, a corruption of “Bread-fruit” (Artocarpus incisa); a name used by Hausas in Lagos, &c.
=barambo= (Gobir). Syn. =zogalagandi=, _q.v._
=ḅarankachi= or =ḅaranchaki=, Canavalia ensiformis, DC. “Sword Bean.” “Overlook Bean” of the West Indies. A large climbing bean common about native houses; not much eaten by Hausas; ripe pods used as a rattle by children. Syn.? =ladiko=, _q.v._ _vide_ also =waken Ankwa=. =ḍan zago= (Kano), is a red-seeded variety of the same. (Etym. _chăki_ = a rattle).
=barbaji= (East Hausa), Randia nilotica, Stapf (Rubiaceæ); a thorny shrub or small tree found in the north. Syn. =tsibra= or =tsura= (Sok.).
=ḅare=, half a kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.
=ba reshe=? (Kontagora). Syn. =aduruku=, _q.v._
=barkono=, Capsicum frutescens, Bl. (Solanaceæ). “Shrubby Capsicum,” “Spur Pepper,” &c., and C. annum, Linn. “Chillies” or “Red Pepper,” &c. Synonyms and varieties are:—_tanka_ or _tankwa_ (Sok.) = _toshshi_ or _twashshi_ (Sok. Gobir and Zanfara), small red peppers; _tsidufu_ = the smallest and hottest peppers; _bunsurun barkono_, a small spherical variety; _tatasai_ (Sok. and Kats.) or _tugandai_ (Kano, &c.) = large and less pungent chillies. _vide_ also =filfil=.
=barkonon biri=, Cephalandra sp. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild twiner with scarlet fruit having a superficial resemblance to capsicum; not edible.
=barmatabo= (Katagum, &c.), Merremia pentaphylla, Hall. f. (Convolvulaceæ); a convolvulus of fences, &c. with digitate leaves and white flowers. =namijin barmatabo=, Ipomœa pilosa, Sweet (Convolvulaceæ). Syn. =yako= (Sok. and Kats.); a coarse-leaved convolvulus or “Morning Glory,” with blue or purple flowers, common on fences. (The native names include several species.)
=ḅarna chiki= or =ḅata wandon Buzu=, a species of edible bean over-indulgence in which causes unpleasant effects.
=bartake=, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=ba ruwana=, Salix sp. (Salicaceæ). Willow; found along the banks of rivers. (Etym. from the treacherous yielding of the branches when grasped by a drowning person). Syn. =rimni= (Sok.).
=ba samu= (Sok. and Zanfara). Syn. =hano= (Sok. and Kats.), and =ararabi=, _q.v._ Boswellia odorata, Hutch. and Boswellia Dalzielii, Hutch. (Burseraceæ). (The two species are scarcely distinguished under the different native names). Species of “Frankincense Tree,” with pale parchment-like bark and white flowers; yielding a fragrant resin.
=basgo= or =basko=, a tuber, _vide_ under =akwalu=.
=ḅata wandon Buzu=, _vide_ =ḅarna chiki=.
=ba tuka=, a variety of cotton, _vide_ under =abduga=.
=Ba-Ude=, a variety of bean, _vide_ under =wake=, and =ḍan Uda=.
=bauje=, an Asclepiad plant with milky juice and a turnip-like edible tuber; probably Xysmalobium Heudelotianum, Decne. (Asclepiadeæ). Syn.? =rojiya=; cf. also =saniya= and =daiyo=.
=bauji= (East Hausa), Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Leguminosæ). Syn. =fara ḳaya=, _q.v._
=baurairai=, Gloriosa superba, L. (Liliaceæ); a climbing lily with splendid crimson and yellow flowers and a tuberous root. Syn. =gatarin kurege= (Sok.), and =gudumar zomo= (Kano and East), from the shape of the versatile stamens.
=ḅaure=, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich. (Urticaceæ). Rough-leaved fig-tree, with edible figs. =ḅauren fadama=, =ḅ. rafi= &c. = various spp. of Ficus, large broad-leaved trees of ravines; _farin ḅaure_, _vide_ =uwar yara=. _lubiya_ or _rubiya_ = edible figs of _ḅaure_ and other spp. of Ficus (_vide_ =durumi=, =cheḍiya=, =gamji=).
=ḅauren kiyashi=; 1. Chrozophora Senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a common weed used medicinally. Syn. =damaigi=, _q.v._ (_kiyashi_ = a species of ant). 2. A species of fig-tree (Ficus sp.).
=baushe=, Terminalia sp. nr. T. macroptera, G. et P. (Combretaceæ); a large tree with flat winged fruits. Bows and walking-sticks are made from the roots. (More than one species is included, e.g. T. Elliotii, Engl. and Diels. T. Baumannii, Engl. and Diels. T. avicennioides, Guill. et Per.).
=bawu=, _vide_ under =shinkafa=.
=baya= (Katag. and East), =baina= (Kano), Panicum albidulum, Kunth. (Gramineæ); a wild grass with an edible grain used as food, common in East Hausa. Syn. =saḅe=, and ?=garaji=, _q.v._
=bayama= (Kontagora, &c.), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. (Leguminosæ); a tree of the Cassia tribe, with white flowers and cylindrical pods; (probably including other species, cf. =bogo zage=, =gamma faḍa=, &c.).
=bayan mariya=, Andropogon ceresiæformis, Nees. (Gramineæ); a common bush grass much used for thatch. (Etym. “cob’s back,” from its russet colour when mature).
=bazaḳa= (Gobir). Syn. =zaḳo=, a var. of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.
=Ba-Zanfare= (Katagum, &c.), Cassia occidentalis, L. (Leguminosæ). Syn. =rai ḍore=, _q.v._
=bazana= (Zaria and Kano), Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. (Burseraceæ). Syn. =dali=, _q.v._ a tree with green smooth bark, planted around native compounds.
=bazaume= or =bazarme= (a corruption of =Ba-Zabarme=); a var. of =gero=, _q.v._
=bidi=, 1. a var. of earth-nut; _vide_ under =gujiya=. 2. A speckled var. of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.
=bijaje= (Ful.), Ficus sp. nr. F. populifolia, Vahl. (Urticaceæ); a fig-tree with pale bark and drooping branches, found on rocky hills in Yola province, &c., said to be an ingredient in arrow-poison.
=bi ni da zugu=, or =chi ni da zugu=, Jatropha Curcas, L. (Euphorbiaceæ). “Purging Nut;” “Physic Nut,” &c. A soft-wooded shrub with broad leaves, commonly planted as a hedge; one of the less important oil-seeds; seeds used in native medicine (_vide_ =kufi=). (Etym. from the purging property and the suggested necessity of being prepared with grave-cloth).
=bi ni zwei zwei= (=bi ta zei zei=); a native medicine used by youths as a love-charm, &c., hard shining seeds of a plant—Nat. Ord. Acanthaceæ. (Etym. haste or eagerness in following the object of desire.)
=bishiya=, pl. =bishiyoyi=, generic for tree.
=bi ta ka tsira=, Vangueria Dalzielii, Hutch. (Rubiaceae); a shrub with globular berries; used medicinally. (The name is probably applied to several plants supposed to act as antidotes to arrow-poison—_makarin dafi_, _q.v._).
=biya rana= or =bi rana=, Crotalaria obovata, Don. (Leguminosæ); a yellow-flowered undershrub with inflated pods. (Etym. similar to “heliotrope,” from the expanding of the leaf-surfaces towards the sun). _b. awaki_, or _geḍar awaki_, _gujiyar awaki_, _hudar awaki_, are names given to various species of Crotalaria, used as fodder; _vide_ =geḍar awaki=.
=bogo zage= (Zanfara), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and other species (Leguminosæ); a tree with long cylindrical pods used to stupefy fish. _vide_ =ago=. Syn. =gwazkiya=, and cf. =gamma faḍa=, and =bayama=.
=bubuchi= (Sok.), Panicum interruptum, Willd. (Gramineæ); a grass of marshes and rivers, 2 or more feet high, with long narrow green flowering spike.
=bubukuwa= or =sabko bubukuwa=, Tripogon minimus, Hochst. a small tufted grass. (Etym. from its habitat where the pelican is supposed to alight, and supposed to be the earliest grass of spring).
=buḍa yau=, the same as =ayana= or =yakuwar fatake=, _q.v._ and perhaps other plants with acid leaves which are used to relieve thirst; (_yau_ = saliva).
=buddari=, Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a grass about 1 to 2 feet high, with an unpleasant smell. Syn. =amai mussa=, _q.v._ and =bunsurun fadama=. (Etym. _buddari_, a malodorous animal).
=bugundare= (a corruption of _Ba-Gwandare_), a var. of cotton and a var. of Guinea Corn.
=bundin kurege=, _vide_ =wutsiyar kurege=.
=bununi=, the exserted stamens of any grass; most commonly applied to =gero= and =dawa=.
=bunsuru=, a synonym for =burtuntuna=, _q.v._
=bunsurun daji=, a name applied to more than one species of rough grass, e.g. Heteropogon contortus, R. and S. (“Wild oats”), and others.
=buran jaki=, _vide_ under =gwazar giwa=.
=buran kare=, _vide_ under =ḳwododon kwaḍo=. (The name is also used for certain fungi).
=buran zaki=, Cucumis metuliferus, E. Hey. (Cucurbitaceæ). Syn. =nonon kura=, _q.v._
=burburwa= (Sok., &c.), Eragrostis tremula, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a wild grass about 2 feet high; an excellent fodder; seeds eaten in scarcity. Syn. =komaya= (Kano, &c.). _burburwar fadama_, _komaya ta fadama_, Eragrostis biformis, Kunth. and perhaps other species; grasses 2 to 4 feet high in meadows, &c. _vide_ also under =tsintsiya=.
=burtuntuna=, Ustilago sp. a smut fungus which affects the fruiting _dawa_, forming a black powder; also called =bunsuru=.
=burugu= (Sok.), Panicum stagninum, Koen. (Gramineæ); a grass whose growth chokes up swampy streams; a good fodder; the soft juicy stems are sucked or made into sugar-water.
=burungu=, unhusked rice. Syn. =shanshera=; _vide_ under =shinkafa=.
=ḅurzu=, Vernonia Perottetii, Sch. Bip. (Compositæ); a weed of cultivated fields, with blue thistle-like flowers. =ḅurzun ḍinya= = the stone of the fruit of =ḍinya=, _q.v._
=bushi= (Sok.), Bergia suffruticosa, Fenzl. (Elatineæ); a low heath-like plant, used medicinally. Syn. =babar giwa= (Hadeija, &c.).
=buta=, one of the varieties of the “Bottle-gourd;” _vide_ under =duma=.
=bututu=, the narrow end of some forms of the “Bottle-gourd” used as a blowing-horn; _vide_ under =duma=.
=C=
=chauchaka=? (Zanfara), Capparis tomentosa; _vide_ =ḳabdodo=.
=checheko=, _vide_ =zamarke=.
=cheḍiya=, Ficus Thonningii, Blume (Urticaceæ); a very common tree with dark green foliage and small figs; much planted as a shade tree.
=cheyi=, a fibre, _vide_ under =yawa=.
=chichiwa= (Sok.), Mærua angolensis, DC. (Capparideæ); a small tree with white flowers and elongated beaded fruit.
=chi ni da zugu=, _vide_ =bi ni da zugu=; Jatropha Curcas, “Physic Nut.”
=chiriri= (Sok. and Zanf.), Combretum Kerstingii, Engl. and Diels. (Combretaceæ); a gum-yielding tree with smooth leaves and 4-winged fruit. Syn. =dagera= and probably also =zindi=, _q.v._
=chitta=, Amomum Melegueta, Roscoe (Scitamineæ). “Guinea Grains.” “Grains of Paradise.” “Melegueta Pepper.” A capsular fruit containing small red aromatic seeds used as a spice. _chitta komfa_, or _chitta yaji_ = another var. of spice.
=chitta Afu=, Zingiber officinale, Roscoe (Scitamineæ). Ginger. (_Afawa_, a pagan tribe in Nassarawa).
=chiwo= or =chuwo=, Landolphia owariensis, Beauv. and L. florida, Benth. (Apocynaceæ). Rubber Vines; tall woody climbers with white fragrant flowers and orange-coloured edible fruit. (The latex of L. owariensis forms a good rubber, that of L. florida is useless).
=chizaki=, probably the same as =ḳabdodo=, _q.v._
=chuchun kariya= or =gaton kariya=, _vide_ =gujiyar hankaka=.
=chukwi=, a var. of cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.
=chusar doki=, a medicine or food to keep horses fit; made from leaves of =kuka=, _q.v._ with _dusa_ and _kanwa_.
=D=
=dabagira=, _vide_ under =aduwa=.
=dabino=, Phœnix dactylifera, Linn. (Palmeæ). Date Palm. Varieties of date are:—_zabiya_ or _jan dabino_, a long red sweet variety; _maga_ or _ḍan damana_, a stoneless date. _kilili_ = flowers of the date. _dabinon biri_, a low species of palm with small yellow date-like fruit, found in ravines; used in weaving mats, straw hats, &c. Syn. _kajinjiri_. (Phœnix reclinata?).
=dabrin saniya=, _vide_ under =gadon machiji=.
=dadawa= or =dawa dawa=, a grass; _vide_ =gyazama=.
=daddawa= (Kano), or =daudawa= (Sok.), black fermented cakes made from the seeds of the =ḍorowa=, _q.v._ Syn. =takaluwa=.
=ḍaḍori= or =ḍoḍoriya= (Kano and Sok.), Vitis quadrangularis, Linn. (Ampelideæ); a vine with quadrangular succulent jointed stems, climbing on trees. (Etym. connected with the multiple branching at the joints). Syn. =tsatsarar kura=. “Edible-stemmed Vine.”
=dafaddu=, Elk’s-horn fern; an epiphyte. Platycerium æthiopicum.
=dafara=, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelideæ); a vine bearing a kind of wild grapes; the root-bark forms a viscid solution which is mixed with native cement for lining dye-pits, &c. Syn. =loda= or =lodar marina=, cf. also =baba rodo=. The fruit, used in soup, is sometimes called =lubiya=, _q.v._
=dagera=, Combretum sp. (Combretaceæ). A gum-yielding tree. Syn. =chiriri=.
=daiyo= (Ful?), _vide_ under =lojiya=, =bauje=, &c.
=dakushe=, _vide_ =kas kaifi=.