Part 5

=kubla= (Sok.), or =kulla=, Thonningia sanguinea, Vahl. (Balanophoreæ); a parasitic plant found in the bush, with an aromatic root used as a spice.

=kudaku= (Sok. Zanf., &c.). Sweet Potato. _vide_ =dankali=.

=ḳuduji=, Striga senegalensis, Benth. (Scrophularineæ). A red-flowered parasitic weed common in cultivated fields. It is believed to destroy the growing =dawa=, and hence is called =makasar dawa= or =makasha=. Syn. =wuta wuta=; =gaugayi= ?(Gobir).

=kufi=, an oily extract made from the seeds of =zurma= (Castor Oil, Ricinus communis), =chi ni da zugu= (Physic Nut, Jatropha Curcas), and =aduwa= (Balanites ægyptiaca); used as an application for sores in domestic stock.

=kugundugu=, _vide_ under =dankali=.

=kujeme=, _vide_ under =kaḍanya=.

=kuka=, Adansonia digitata, B. Juss. (Malvaceæ). “Baobab,” “Monkey Bread Tree,” “Sour Gourd.” Inner bark used for rope, strings of musical instruments, &c. The acid and mucilaginous pulp of the fruit is used in various ways as food and drink. _kwaikwaiyo_ (Kano) = the husk or shell of the indehiscent fruit; _garin kuka_ = the mealy acid pulp around the seeds; _guntsu_ (Kano) = seeds of kuka (Ful. _gorgomi_); _daudawar kuka_ = fermented cakes made from the seeds (as with =ḍorowa=, _q.v._), also called _katsami_ (Kano and East); _chusar doki_ = pounded leaves of _kuka_, with _dusa_ and _kanwa_, used as food or medicine for horses; _miyar kuka_ or _kalun kuka_ = the leaves used for soup; _kumbali_ = the Baobab flower.

=kukuki=, Sterculia tomentosa, Guill. et Perr. (Sterculiaceæ); a common tree which yields a gum like tragacanth; the bark contains an almost tasteless watery juice which is sucked by thirsty carriers, &c.

=kulbutu=, _vide_ =tsana=.

=kulla=, _vide_ =kubla=.

=kuloko= (Sok., &c.) = a black dye for leather, prepared as a fermented extract of “Sant Pods” (=bagaruwa=, _q.v._ Acacia arabica), and _kwan mukera_ (blacksmiths’ refuse of fused iron oxide and carbon), and mixed with honey or syrup.

=kulufita=, a small prolific var. of the native bitter tomato; _vide_ under =gauta=. (Etym. _kullum fita_).

=kumbali= = the flower of the Baobab; _vide_ under =kuka=.

=ḳumbar shafo=, _vide_ =farichin shafo=.

=kumbu=, _vide_ under =duma=.

=ḳumchi= (Sok. and Zanf.), _vide_ =majiriyar kurumi=.

=kunda= (Sok. and Kats.), an insect-gall forming a swelling on the stem of the grass =katsaimu=, _q.v._ used as a toy dart to shoot birds.

=ḳundu=, _vide_ =giginya=.

=ḳunḳushewa=, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Loes. (Celastrineæ); a common shrub in the bush, with spines and delicate white flowers. Syn. =namijin tsada=.

=kunnen zomo=, _vide_ =takalmin zomo=.

=kununguru= (East Hausa), Commelyna nudiflora, Linn.; a common weed, better known as =balasa=, _q.v._

=ḳurar shanu=, Euphorbia ægyptiaca, Boiss. (Euphorbiaceæ); a small weed of pastures with milky juice; used medicinally. Syn. =rapasa= (Kano).

=kurḍi=, Burkea africana, Hook. (Leguminosæ); a large hard-wooded tree with black bark and pale twice-pinnate leaves; sometimes called =baḳin maḳarfo=. (In Sokoto =itchen kurḍi= = Melia Azedarach, _vide_ =kurnan nasara=). _cf._ also =kariye gatari=.

=kurḍin machiji= (Katagum), Ipomœa sp. (Convolvulaceæ). A twining convolvulus with purple and white flowers. (Etym. perhaps from the resemblance of the ripe capsules to cowrie shells).

=kurgum= (Kanuri) = turmeric; _vide_ =gangamau=.

=kuringa=, _vide_ =kwaranga=.

=kuriya= (Sok. and Zanf.), Bombax buonopozense, Beauv. (Malvaceæ). “Red-flowered Silk Cotton Tree.” Syn. =gurjiya=, _q.v._

=kurna=, Zizyphus Spina-Christi, Willd. (Rhamnaceæ). A thorny tree with brownish edible berries, common in towns. _cf._ =magariya=.

=kurnan nasara= (Kontagora, &c.), Melia Azedarach, Linn. (Meliaceæ). “Pride of India,” “Persian or Egyptian Lilac,” or “Bead Tree.” A tree with twice-pinnate leaves and panicles of lilac flowers, often planted in towns. (The ovoid yellow fruit has a superficial resemblance to that of =kurna=. Etym. from its exotic origin; _nasara_ = Christian). In Sokoto called =itchen kurḍi= or =taḅa ni ka samu= (=kurḍi=) from some belief in luck associated with it; seeds called _yayan tasbaha_ because used for rosary beads.

=kurtu= or =kurtun lalle=, _vide_ under =duma=.

=kurukubi=, Grewia sp. (Tiliaceæ); a shrub with rough leaves and edible berries.

=ḳuruḳuru= (Sok. Kats. Katagum, &c.), Feretia canthioides, Hiern. (Rubiaceæ); a shrub with fragrant jasmine-like white flowers. Syn. =lallen suri= or =lallen jibba= (from its common habitat near ant-hills); =goge= (?Hausa); _vide_ =rigyakafi=.

=ḳurzun ḍinya=, _vide_ under =ḍinya=.

=kurzunu=, a tubercled variety of an edible gourd like a cucumber; (?a var. of the bottle-gourd Lagenaria vulgaris, _vide_ under =duma=).

=kusumburuwa=, _vide_ under =dawa=.

=kututu=, _vide_ under =masara=.

=kwachiya=, a small calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=kwagiri=, a woody creeper, a sort of jointed cane used for walking sticks, &c.

=kwaikwaiyo=, _vide_ under =kuka= and =aduwa=.

=kwakwa=, Elais guineensis, Jacq. (Palmeæ). Oil Palm. _man ja_ = palm oil derived from the outer fleshy pulp of the nut; the kernel yields a different oil.

=kwakwar Attagara=, Cocos nucifera, Linn. Coco-nut Palm (from the name of an Igara town on the lower Niger).

=kwalli kwalli=, _vide_ under =geḍa=.

=ḳwalo= = the ripe hard-shelled nut of the palm =goriba=, _q.v._ Syn. =ḳodago=.

=kwalshi= = the edible kernel of the unripe nut of =goriba= chiefly (but also of =giginya=); _q.v._

=ḳwama= (Sok. and Gobir), a var. of the common bean; _vide_ under =wake=.

=ḳwandariya=, a thorny acacia yielding gum; (?Acacia caffra, Willd.); stems used for walking-sticks; said to be so thorny that _biri ya kwana a ḳassa_.

=kwankwani=, Strophanthus hispidus, DC. and S. sarmentosus, DC. (Apocynaceæ). Arrow-poison plants. The former is a shrub with lax branches, frequently cultivated, with long narrow beaked pods; the latter a tall woody climber growing on trees, &c. chiefly in ravines, and has stout obtuse pods. The seeds are the chief and the only essential ingredient in N. Nigerian arrow-poison. Syn. =tantsiya= (Sok. Ful. _tantsiyari_). =yaḅi= (East Hausa) = arrow-poison (from _yaḅe_ to daub or smear); syn. =zabgai=.

=kwankwan dafi= (Sok. and Kats.), Indigofera echinata, Willd. (Leguminosæ). _vide_ =gujiyar hankaka=.

=kwankwarimi= (Zanfara), Wissadula rostrata, Planch. (Malvaceæ). A tall stiff undershrub with small yellow flowers; the bark yields a hemp-like fibre. Sometimes called =ramar kurimi=.

=kwankwarita= (East Hausa), Trapa bispinosa, Roxb. (Onagrarieæ). “Water Chestnut.” _vide_ under =geḍar ruwa=. The name includes the rhizome of =bădo=, _q.v._

=kwanta Ali da zugu=, a var. of the cotton shrub; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=kwantal= (Sok.), or =gurji kwantal=; _vide_ =gurji=.

=kwaranga= or (=kuringa=), =kwarangar wofi=, Smilax Kraussiana, Meisn. (Liliaceæ); a prickly twiner with 5-nerved leaves and a tuberous root used medicinally; related to Sarsaparilla. (Etym. “bastard ladder”). Syn. ?=ḳayar kusu=.

=ḳwaras ḳwaras=, the same as =kwaruru= but _vide_ under =gujiya=.

=kwardauḍa=, _vide_ =dauḍa=.

=kwari=, a slender soft-wooded tree with long broad leaves, in ravines, sometimes called “Cabbage Tree.” (Etym. _kwari_ = a quiver, because used for making quivers). Anthocleista nobilis, G. Don. (= A. Vogelii, Planch.) and A. parviflora, Baker (Loganiaceæ).

=ḳwariya=, the common calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=kwarko= (Kano), or =kwarkoro=, Argemone mexicana, Linn. (Papaveraceæ). “Yellow Mexican Poppy,” a common prickly poppy of fields and waste places near houses. Syn. =haḳorin kada= (from the Ful. name); =ya= (or =ka=) =ḳi ruwan Allah= (because essentially a dry-season plant, and because the glaucous leaves throw off rain or dew); (_kada ka taḅa yaro_ is a Yoruba equivalent). The root is used for cotton spools, and as a stimulant by drummers, &c.

=kwaruru=, Voandzeia subterranea, Thouars. (Leguminosæ). The Bambarra Ground Nut. Syn. =gujiya=, _q.v._ A species of ground bean cultivated like =geḍa= and like it developing its pods underground. It differs from =geḍa= in having 3-foliate leaves (4 leaflets in =geḍa=), and spherical usually one-seeded pods with variegated seeds. The allied Kerstingiella geocarpa, Harms. is cultivated in some districts in Nupé and the south. _yaro da dariya_ = the seeds cracked and roasted (etym. from the gaping cracks); _abakuru_ (Yoruba _obokuru_) = cooked ovoid cakes or balls with pepper, salt, &c. fried in oil (prepared preferably from _kwaruru_ because it keeps better on a journey, &c.). _lubatu_ = a kind of food made from _kwaruru_. (Etym. Yor. _epa roro_ = round ground nut).

=ḳwiwa= or =ḳwiya=, Adenodolichos sp. nr. A. Auchietas, Harms. (Leguminosæ); a tall undershrub with 3-foliate leaves and slender straight branches used for _tanka_, &c.

=ḳwododo=, _vide_ =ḳabdodo=.

=ḳwododon kwaḍo= (Kano), Amorphophallus Barteri, N.E. Br. (and other similar species of Aroideæ), an oddly shaped plant of the Arum lily family, with a flat lurid purple spathe. Syn. =maḳworin maḳwododo= and =buran kare=, _q.v._

=kwokiya=, a var. of melon; _vide_ under =guna=.

=kwokwo= or =ḳoḳo=, a small var. of calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=kwosusu=, the second annual crop of indigo, said to be better than the first; _vide_ under =baba=.

=kwoton tadawa=, _vide_ under =duma=.

=kwotowa= (Sok.), Pergularia tomentosa, Linn. (Asclepiadeæ); _vide_ =fatakka=.

=kyamro= or =kyauro=, =k. kibiya=, Saccharum spontaneum, Linn. (Gramineæ). A tall grass of river-banks and wet places with white plume-like flowering panicle. Stems commonly used for arrow-shafts. Syn. =sheme=, and ?=sansari= (Illo; used for arrows with detachable head). Sometimes referred to as _abokin kibiya_.

=ḳyara=, Cymbopogon Ruprechtii, Hack. (Gramineæ). A very common tall grass with sharp long-awned spikelets; used for _zana_ after the spikelets have fallen.

=ḳyasuwa= or =ḳansuwa=, Pennisetum pedicellatum, (and P. setosum) (Gramineæ). A coarse tall grass with fluffy flowering heads; a common pest in waste places in towns, &c. Syn. =fura= (Kano and East). Sometimes distinguished from a somewhat similar grass of wet places as =ḳ. tudu= or =ḳ. waje=. _cf._ =duza=.

=L=

=labaye= = =tofo=, _q.v._ sprouting leaves of any plant; (_sabon ganye mai tofo_).

=laḅayi=, a var. of cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=laḅanda=, a name given to several varieties of grass used for thatching; in Sokoto and Zanfara generally = Andropogon apricus, var. africanus, Hack. _vide_ =jan baḳo=.

=labsur= or =lausur=, Lepidium sativum, Linn. (Cruciferæ). “Common” or “Garden Cress.” Cultivated in Kano, &c. The seeds are a native medicine called =algarif=, _q.v._

=labuje=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.

=ladiko=? a species of bean; _vide_ =ḅarankachi=. (Possibly = _lalego_ (Kano), a sort of hand-rattle used by women).

=laka=, _vide_ under =shalla=.

=lalaki= (Sok.), _vide_ under =shinkafa=.

=lalemo= (Sok.), a grass for thatching.

=lalle=, Lawsonia alba, Lam. (Lythrarieæ). “Egyptian Privet” or “_Henna_;” a small shrub planted for the sake of the leaves which are used all over the Sudan, in Egypt and the East, to dye the nails, &c.

=lallen jibba= or =lallen suri=, _vide_ =ḳuruḳuru=.

=lallen shamuwa= (Sok.), Gisekia pharnaceoides, Linn. (Ficoideæ); a common spreading weed. (Etym. probably from the ruddy tinge of the plant). Syn. ?=dandami=.

=lalu=, Corchorus tridens, L. and C. trilocularis, L. (Tiliaceæ); common weeds related to jute, used as pot-herbs. Syn. =turgunuwa=; (including also the wild form of C. olitorius, _vide_ under =malafiya=).

=lanya=, _vide_ =limniya=.

=lausur=, _vide_ =labsur=.

=lawashi=, _vide_ under =albasa=.

=lawur=, 1. = Sweet Potato, _vide_ =dankali=. 2. A var. of =gero=, _q.v._

=lemu=, Citrus Medica, var. acida, Brandis (Aurantiaceæ). The Lime. A naturalized shrub in Nigeria. _babban lemu_ or _lemun Maka_, The Orange (Citrus Aurantium, Linn.). _lemun yan sariki_, _lemun magajiya_ or _lemun Masar_, The Citron (Citrus Medica, Linn.); rare but half naturalized near Sokoto. _namijin lemu_, _vide_ =innuwar gada=.

=liḍi=, _vide_ =riḍi=.

=limniya= or =lanya= = green algæ forming a slimy growth in stagnant water. Syn. =dauḍar ruwa=.

=limniyar kwaḍi= or =lanyar kwaḍi=, Kœmpferia æthiopica, Benth. (Scitamineæ); a plant with a conspicuous delicate purple flower growing in shady places (commonly mistaken for an orchid). Etym. = “frog-spawn,” from the slimy juice.

=loda= or =lodar marina=, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelideæ). Syn. =dafara=, _q.v._ A vine. The viscid extract of the root-bark gives a smooth surface to native cement used for dye-pits, &c. N.B. In Sokoto the name _loda_ is also used for the plant with viscid juice, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceæ), _vide_ =baba rodo=.

=lojiya=, _vide_ =rojiya=.

=loko=, Chlorophora excelsa, Benth. and Hook. fil. (Urticaceæ). _Iroko_ (S. Nigeria), or _Odum_ (Gold Coast); a large timber tree; used for canoes, building, &c.

=lubiya=, _vide_ =rubiya=.

=luddai=, a var. of the bottle-gourd; _vide_ under =duma=.

=lubatu=, a kind of food made from the ground-bean =kwaruru=, _q.v._

=M=

=mabakachi=, a large calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=machara=, a name for more than one species of grass with hollow stems; chiefly = the tall reed-grass Arundo Donax, Linn. from which flageolets are made. Syn. =gabara=, _q.v._ Also the smaller Panicum proliferum, Lam. var. longijubatum, Stapf; used by boys to make small whistles.

=maḍachi= or =maḍwachi= (Sok.), Khaya senegalensis, A. Juss. (Meliaceæ). A large timber tree; one of the species of “African Mahogany.” The bark is much used medicinally. (Etym. from the bitter bark).

=maḍachin ḳassa=, Aristolochia albida. Syn. =dumar dutsi=; _vide_ under =gaḍaukuka=.

=maḍaḍafi=, Desmodium lasiocarpum, DC. (Leguminosæ); an undershrub the seeds of which are covered with minute hooked hairs which adhere to the clothing; _vide_ =ḍan kaḍafi=.

=maḍaḍafin kusu=, _vide_ =ḳarangiyar kusu=.

=maḍas= or =maḍat=, a poison usually made from =tururibi=, _q.v._ used for killing fish and vermin, as well as criminally.

=madobia=, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Poir. (Leguminosæ). An “African Rosewood” or “Bloodwood.” A large tree with yellow flowers and flat winged fruit with soft prickles. The blood-red resin from the trunk is a variety of “African Kino,” or “Dragon’s Blood,” a medicinal astringent. The bark is in some districts used as a red dye or cosmetic like =majigi=, _q.v._ where the latter is scarce.

=maga=, a var. of date; _vide_ under =ḍabino=.

=maganin kunama= (Katagum), the local name for a leguminous weed with yellow flowers and inflated pods, used as a remedy for scorpion bite; Crotalaria atrorubens, Hochst.

=magariya=, Zizyphus jujuba, Lam. (Rhamnaceæ). “Jujube Tree.” A thorny shrub, resembling =kurna=, _q.v._ with pale brown edible berries.

=magariyar kura=, Zizyphus mucronata, Willd. (Rhamnaceæ). “Buffalo-horn.” A thorny scrambling shrub with red-brown berries; not edible.

=magiumfa= (Zanfara), _vide_ =majimfa=.

=magudiya= (Kano, Sok., &c.), Polycarpæa linearifolia, DC. (Caryophylleæ). A common herb with heads of small scarious flowers; a common medicinal charm and ingredient of love-philtres, &c. (_maganin farin jini_). Syn. =fular tsofo=. _cf._ =bakin suda=. Also called =mai-nasara=, when used as a charm in hunting or war.

=mai-farin kai= (Sok.), Tricholæna rosea, Nees. var. sphacelata; a grass about 2 feet high with silvery fluffy flowering panicle.

=mai-kain dubu= (Sok.), Alternanthera sessilis, Br. (Amaranthaceæ); a prostrate weed with numerous small clusters of inconspicuous flowers.

=maikeri=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=mai-lalita=, _vide_ under =matsarmama=.

=mai-nasara=, _vide_ under =magudiya=.

=maiwa=, Pennisetum spicatum, R. and S. _var._ a var of millet; _cf._ =gero= and =damro=; less wholesome than =gero=, and said to be injurious to horses.

=maje= (Sok., &c.), Pardaniellia Oliveri, Rolfe, (Daniellia Thurifera, Bennett), “West Afr. Copaiba Balsam Tree.” Syn. =kadaura= (Kano, Zaria, &c.), _q.v._ Both names are equally well known; sometimes loosely included under the name =ḳaro=, _q.v._ _ḳaron maje_ (in Sokoto sometimes also called _ḳaron darma_) = the exuded balsam or oleo-resin, a variety of West Afr. copal, used as scent to fumigate clothing, to impart a gloss to beaten dyed cloth, &c.

=majigi=, Baphia pubescens, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ). Camwood, a tree the wood of which is used as a red dye and cosmetic. (Also probably B. nitida, Afzel. in the south). _cf._ =madobia=.

=majimfa= or =magiumfa= (or =jimfa=), Tephrosia Vogelii, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ); an erect shrub cultivated near houses; the leaves are much used as a poison to stupefy fish. =baina= (Kano) = the fish-poison prepared from it. _cf._ =ago=.

=majiriya= (Sok. and Kats.), or =minjiriya= (Kano, &c.), Erythrina senegalensis, DC. (Leguminosæ). “Coral Tree;” a prickly tree with brilliant scarlet flowers and 3-foliate leaves. The scarlet seeds are sometimes called =idon zakara=, _q.v._

=majiriyar kurumi= (Kano), Phyllanthus floribundus, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ); a thorny scrambling shrub with small red berries. (The term =ḳumchi=, Sok. and Zanf. is sometimes applied to this, and more widely to any thorny thicket; _cf._ =gumbi= and =dufuwa=).

=maka= = dried bean leaves; _vide_ under =wake=.

=makafo=, =makafo da wayo=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=maḳaimi=, _vide_ =tsuwawun zaki=.

=maḳarfo=, Afrormosia laxiflora, Harms. (Leguminosæ); a hard-wooded tree with smooth bark and shining foliage; the wood is used for axe-handles, &c.; the bark and root are used medicinally. (Etym. probably _ḳarifi_—from the hardness of the wood). Sometimes also called =kariye gatari= (“break axe”). _cf._ =baḳin maḳarfo=, _vide_ =kurḍi=.

=makari=, Digitaria sp.? A grass cultivated in some districts with a small grain like =acha=, _q.v._

=makarin dafi= = any antidote to arrow-poison, usually vegetable substances containing tannin. _cf._ =bi ta ka tsira=.

=makarin faḳo=, Panicum falciferum, Trin. (Gramineæ). A wild grass 1½ to 2 feet high, with golden hairy flowering spike; seeds edible, sometimes gathered for food.

=makasar dawa= and =makasha=, _vide_ =ḳuduji=.

=makuba=, _vide_ under =ḍorowa=.

=makubar mahalba=, _vide_ under =kirni=.

=maḳworin maḳwododo=, _vide_ =ḳwododon kwaḍo=.

=malafiya= (or =marafiya=), Corchorus olitorius, L. (Tiliaceæ). “Jews’ Mallow.” One of the jute plants, cultivated in N. Nigeria more as a vegetable than for fibre. (Arab. _molukhiya_).

=malami= or =malami na mata=, Mukia scabrella, Arn. (Cucurbitaceæ); a small twiner with rough leaves and red berries resembling Bryony. (Etym. from its frequent use as a love-charm). Syn. =gautan zomo=.

=malamkochi=, _vide_ =zaḳi banza=.

=malga= or =marga=, _vide_ =gamma faḍa=.

=malle=, =m. kabi=, =m. mama=, =m. Zanfara=; varieties of =dawa=, _q.v._

=malmo=, Eugenia owariensis, Beauv. (Myrtaceæ); an evergreen tree with fragrant flowers and leaves, and black or purple berries; common by streams and pools.

=mangoro=, the name given to the mango, Mangifera indica, Linn. (Anacardiaceæ).

=manta uwa=, 1. A medicine given to a child at weaning, or to prevent a slave running away (etym. “forget mother”); the name is applied to several plants; (in Katagum the species was Crotalaria arenaria, R. Br. Leguminosæ, a low weed with small yellow flowers and inflated pods). 2. A name for some epiphytic orchids, e.g. Ansellia congoensis, Rodiges, &c. (etym. because growing on trees away from the ground). _vide_ =muruchin bissa=.

=marafiya=, _vide_ =malafiya=.

=maraguwa=, _vide_ =ḳini=.

=marasiri=, _vide_ under =riḍi=.

=marga= or =malga=, _vide_ =gamma faḍa=.

=mariḳe=, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Guill. et Perr. (Combretaceæ). A tree with small pale leaves and balls of whitish flowers; a good timber; it yields a soluble gum; the fruit is used as a vermifuge for horses, &c. “Chew-stick Tree.” =ḍan marike= (Katagum, &c.), Indigofera secundiflora, Poir. (Leguminosæ). A weed or low undershrub with pale pinnate leaves covered with a gummy glandular secretion.

=marin kusu=, Pupalia lappacea, Juss. (Amaranthaceæ); a straggling spiny weed of waste places, resembling =ḳaimin ḳadangare=, _q.v._ (Etym. “mouse’s irons”).

=marmare=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=marsa=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.

=masaki=, a large calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=masakowa= or =mazakwa=, a dry-season var. of Guinea-Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.

=masara=, Zea Mays, Linn. (Gramineæ). Maize. Indian Corn. Varieties are:—_m. wada_, a dwarf variety; _m. Fulani_; _m. kwona_, tall with about 3 corn cobs with large white grain; _kain masara_ or _maburkaki_ = the terminal male inflorescence; _goyon masara_ = the lateral fruiting spike or mealie cob; _toton masara_ (Sok.), or _kututu_ (Kano and East) = the cob after removal of seeds, used to make pipe-stems.

=mashayi=, Clerodendron capitatum, Sch. and Thonn. (Verbenaceæ). A shrub with bunches of tubular white flowers and purple berries; the pithy branches are used for pipe-stems. Etym. instrument used for smoking; _cf. syn._ =tataba= (Sok.).

=mashin zomo=, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Linn. (Filices). “Adder’s tongue fern,” a small fern with simple leaf and erect fruiting spike. (Etym. “hare’s spear”).

=masoro=, “West Afr. Black Pepper,” “Benin Pepper;” small dried berries sold for spice and medicinal use; the fruit of Piper Clusii, Cas. DC. (?P. guineense, Piperaceæ); a climbing plant on trees in the South.

=masun ḳadangare=, _vide_ =tsatsarar ḅera=.

=matakashi=, a plant resembling _sesame_ (_vide_ =riḍi=); used for soup.

=matsagi= or =matsatsagi=, _vide_ =jirga=.

=matsarmama=, Physalis angulata, L. and P. minima, L. (Solanaceæ); common weeds of waste places with inflated calyx enclosing a small berry; (related to the Cape Gooseberry, P. peruviana); used medicinally. Etym. _matsarmama_ = gall-bladder; also called =mai-lalita=—_lalita_ = a small leather pouch. Syn. ?=domashin maza= (Katag.).

=maye=, _vide_ under =shiwaka=.

=mazakwa=, a dry-season var. of Guinea Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.

=mazarin kyanwa=, an insect-gall on the grass =katsaimu=, _q.v._

=meḍi=, a fibre from the root-bark of the shrub =ḍunḍu=, _q.v._ and from other acacias, root of the “dum” palm &c. _cf._ =yawa=, and _vide_ =ḍakwora=, =goriba=, &c. Used for network bags, &c., mending calabashes, &c.

=mijin kaḍai=, _vide_ under =kaḍanya=.

=mijin goro=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=minjiriya=, _vide_ =majiriya=.

=minu=, the smallest kola nuts, _vide_ under =goro=.

=miya tsanya= (Sok. and Kats.), Sida rhombifolia, L. (Malvaceæ); an undershrub or perennial weed with small yellow flowers and a fibrous bark. (Etym. “grasshoppers’ greens”). It is one of the plants included in =kaskaifi=, _q.v._

=moda=, Sansevieria sp. (Liliaceæ). “African Bowstring Hemp;” a stemless plant with long straight mottled leaves affording a useful fibre; root and leaf used medicinally.

=murli= = the unexpanded fronds of any palm (_kwakwa_, _giginya_, _goriba_, _tukuruwa_). _shedari_ = a mat made from _murlin giginya_.

=murtsunguwa=, a long-leaved stemless plant, sometimes added to arrow-poison. Syn. ?=gunguma=.

=muruchi=, the young germinating shoots of the Fan Palm, _vide_ =giginya=, used as a vegetable.

=muruchin bisa= or =m. sama=, a name for several species of orchid, growing as epiphytes on trees,—Ansellia congoensis and other spp. _vide_ =manta uwa=.

=muruchin daji=, a name for some ground orchids with long straight leaves; usually Habenaria spp. growing in wet places.

=muruchin jibba= or =m. jibji=, a species of fungus; _vide_ under =tumukun suri=.

=muruchin makaruwa=, Curculigo gallabatensis, Schweinf. (Amaryllideæ). A stemless plant with straight grass-like leaves, yellow flowers, and a thickened root-stock; syn. =doyar kurege=.

=N=

=naman kaza= (=naman angulu=, &c.), Agaricus campestris, the edible mushroom. (Etym. from the pale fleshy appearance of the cut surface, but sometimes also called =naman ḳassa=).

=nanafo=, Celosia trigyna, Linn. (Amaranthaceæ). An erect weed with white scarious flowers. Used as a medicine for tapeworm, &c.

=nanare= (Sok.), _vide_ under =shinkafa=.

=nanake=, Aspilia Kotschyi, Benth. and Hook. (Compositæ). A plant in the bush with rough foliage and deep purple flowers.

=nata=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=nobe=, Cymbopogon sennariensis, var. proximus, Stapf (Gramineæ). A fragrant grass, 2 to 3 feet high, with very narrow leaves; much used for thatch. _cf._ =tsabre=.

=nome= (Sok., &c.), Sesamum indicum, Linn. Sesame or Beni seed; _vide_ =riḍi=.

=nonon ḅariya=, Lactuca taraxacifolia, Sch. and Thonn. (Compositæ). A field weed with pale yellow flowers and milky juice. (_ḅariya_ = a species of gazelle).

=nonon giwa=, _vide_ =rahaina=.

=nonon gwanki=, Ficus sp. A tree of the fig tribe with milky juice.

=nonon kura=, Cucumis metuliferus, E. Mey. (Cucurbitaceæ). A climber with a cucumber-shaped fruit covered with large spines, scarlet when ripe. Also called =buran zaki=.

=nonon kurchiya=, Euphorbia hirta, Linn. (= E. pilulifera, &c.), a prostrate weed with clusters of small inconspicuous flowers and milky juice; used medicinally. (Allied species are included, e.g. E. convolvuloides, Hochst. &c.)

=nunu= (Sok. and Kano), the fruit of the tree =danya=, _q.v._

=P=

=parpatsi= or =farfatsi=, _vide_ =dandana=.

=pasa daga=, _vide_ =fasa daga=.

=pasa ḳabba=, _vide_ =fasa ḳabba=.

=pasa ḳwari=, _vide_ =fasa ḳwari=.

=piyaka= or =fiyaka=, _vide_ =jibda ḳassa=.

=punkaso=, _vide_ under =alkama=.

=R=

=Raḅa=, Cyanotis lanata, Benth. (Commelynaceæ); a somewhat succulent herb growing amongst grass, which is said to cause eczema of horses’ muzzles. (Etym. from _raḅa_ = dew, which is supposed to have a similar effect).

=rahaina=, Kigelia æthiopica, Decne, var. bornuensis, Sprague (Bignoniaceæ). “Sausage-tree.” A large shade tree with pendulous lurid purple flowers, and huge cucumber-shaped fruit. Syn. =rawuya= (Sok.), and =nonon giwa=.

=rai ḍore=, Cassia occidentalis, Linn. (Leguminosæ). An erect shrubby plant with pinnate leaves and yellow flowers, of the senna tribe; used medicinally for fevers, &c. (Etym. from attributed restorative powers). Syn. =sanga sanga= (Sok. and West), and =Ba-Zanfare= (Katagum and East).

=rake= (Kano, &c.), (Saccharum officinarum), Linn. (Gramineæ). One of the species of sugar-cane, grown near streams; =arakke= (Sok.). Called also =karan sariki=. _cf._ =takanḍa=.

=raken giwa= (or =takanḍar giwa=), Peucedanum sp. (Umbelliferæ); a shrub with pinnate leaves and fragrant sap; used as a scented fumigation for clothing. _cf._ =takanḍar giwa=.