Part 6

=rama=, Hibiscus cannabinus, Linn. (Malvaceæ), and perhaps H. lunariifolius, Willd. “Bastard Jute,” “Indian Hemp.” A tall straight annual grown for its bark fibre from which cordage is made; leaves acid, used in soup. Black, white and red varieties are recognized according to the tint of the bark—_jar rama_, _farar rama_; _ḳare aiki_ (Sok.), with black and red varieties (etym. because considered the last agricultural labour of the season); or _koka rani_ (Katsina), and _dirin da rani_ (Kano), _jirin da rani_ (Bauchi), _ganwon rama_ = coil of _rama_ bark or fibre. _ḍinkin rama_ = leaves of _rama_ used for soup; _vide_ under _ḍinya_. _ḳeḳasheshe_ or _tsiyayi_ = peeled stems of _rama_, used in medicine in occult practice and as a sooty application when burnt applied for mural decoration. _ramar rafi_, &c. wild varieties of the same botanical species; _vide_ _ḳarama mowa_. _ramar kurumi_, _vide_ _kwankwarimi_; _rama rama_, _vide_ _ramaniya_.

=ramaniya= (Sok. Kats., &c.), Urena lobata, Linn. (Malvaceæ). A hard erect shrub, 2 to 3 feet high with pink flowers; the bark yields a strong fibre. Syn. =rama rama=, or =ka fi rama=; (=baḳin garamani= and =jan tsu=, _vide_ under =garamani= and =tsu=). _cf._ also =uwar maganni=.

=ramno= (Sok.), or =rauno= (Kano), chopped grass mixed with building clay to act as mortar. _cf._ =jan raumo=.

=rapasa=, _vide_ under =ḳurar shanu=.

=rariyar ḳassa= (Kontagora), Chrysanthellum procumbens, Pers. (Compositæ); a small wayside weed with yellow flowers.

=rauma fada=, _vide_ =roma fada=.

=rawaya=, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Rich. (Bixaceæ); a common shrub with yellow rose-like flowers and a yellow root used as a dye and in cooking. Syn. zunzuna.

=rawuya=, _vide_ =rahaina=.

=riḍi=, or =liḍi=, Sesamum indicum, Linn. (Pedaliaceæ). Sesame, Gingelly, Beni Seed. _Simsim_ (Arab.). An annual with white or red flowers, cultivated for its oily seeds; leaves and seeds used as food. Syn. =nome=, _cf._ =karkashi=. _marasiri_ (Ful. West) = sesamum porridge. _samsam_ or _samsamum_ (Arab. _simsim_), an extract probably of sesame, used as an eye medicine.

=riḍin barewa= or =nomen barewa=, Sesamum alatum, Thonn. (Pedaliaceæ). A wild species with divided leaves and beaked pods; not eaten.

=riḍin kada=, _vide_ =ḍeiḍoyar kare=.

=riḍin tuji=, Fimbristylis exilis, R. and S. (Cyperaceæ). A small sedge; _vide_ =gemen kusu=.

=rigyar biri=, _vide_ =tsuwawun biri=.

=rigya kafi= (Sok.), a native prescription and reputed remedy for syphilis composed of the plants =damaigi=, =fara biya rana=, =fasa ḳabba= and =ḳuru ḳuru=, _q.v._

=rimani= = the fruit of the pomegranate, Punica Granatum, L. _cf._ =ruman=, the flowers of the same.

=rimi= (Kano, &c.) or =rini= (Sok.), Eriodendron orientale, Steud. (Malvaceæ). White Silk Cotton Tree. The silky floss around the seeds forms the upholstery material called “Kapok;” =rimin Masar=, a variety without thorns on the branches when young, and with a superior cotton.

=rimin agwada=, Sopubia simplex, Hochst. and other spp. (Scrophularineæ). An erect herb in the bush with narrow leaves and pink flowers. (_agwada_ = Rock dassie, Procavia sp.).

=rimin samari=, Oldenlandia grandiflora, Hiern. (Rubiaceæ). A common slender-branched herb of fields and waste places, with bright red 4-partite flowers. Also O. senegalensis, Hiern. a similar plant with smaller less conspicuous flowers. Used as a love-potion or charm for popularity.

=rimni= (Sok.), Salix sp. (Salicaceæ). A common species of willow on river-banks. Syn. =ba ruwana=, _q.v._

=risga=, a cultivated plant with an edible tuber. Plectranthus sp. (Labiatæ); like the “Kaffir Potato,” P. esculentus, N.E. Br.

=risgar kurege=, Asclepias lineolata, Schl. (Asclepiadeæ). A shrub with milky juice and umbels of purple flowers; the spindle-shaped root tubers are used medicinally.

=roba=, Panicum pyramidale, Lam. (Gramineæ). A tall grass of marshy places; (probably applied to several grasses).

=rogo=, Manihot palmata, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ). Sweet Cassava or Manioc; and Manihot utilissima, Pohl. Bitter Cassava. The former or non-poisonous species is the one chiefly cultivated in Nigeria, _cf._ =ḳarasa=. _rogon sabara_ or _r. magariya_ (Sok.) are terms used for Cassava grown in arid areas (=sabara= and =magariya=, _q.v._ being shrubs of dry scrub districts).

=rogon biri=, _vide_ =ḳosain rogo=.

=rogon daji=, a species of vine with thickened roots; _vide_ =tsibiri kinkini=; (also applied to other twiners with thickened roots, e.g. a wild species of yam, Dioscorea sp., a species of Clematis, &c.).

=rojiya= or =lojiya=, a perennial herb (Asclepiadeæ), with long narrow leaves milky juice and an edible succulent tuberous root-stock. _rojiyar mahalba_, Xysmalobium Heudelotianum, Decne (Asclepiadeæ); a somewhat similar plant with milky juice, short leaves, lateral umbels of small flowers, and a harder tuberous root edible when cooked. (The names _bauje_, _saniya_ and _daiyo_, probably refer to the same or allied Asclepiad plants or “Milkweeds,” with tuberous roots, e.g. Schizoglossum Petherickianum, Oliv. which has short broad leaves and umbels of white flowers).

=roko=, a var. of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.

=rubiya= or =lubiya= = the edible figs of several species of Ficus:—=ḅaure=, =cheḍiya=, =durumi=, =gamji=, _q.v._ (The name is sometimes extended to include other fruits of similar shape, &c. e.g. dates, the grapes of =dafara=, _q.v._, &c.).

=ruguguwa=, _vide_ under =kabewa=.

=ruḳuḅu=, _vide_ =zaḳi banza=.

=roma fada= or =rauma fada=, Scoparia dulcis, L. (Scrophularineæ). “Sweet Broom Weed.” A common herb with small white flowers. (Etym. from use as a charm to ensure “court favour;” _roma_ = _rakiya_, to act as companion or sponsor). _namijin roma fada_, Heliotropium zeylanicum, Lam. (Boragineæ); a weed used medicinally; _vide_ under =Gwanja kusa=; (probably applied to several plants with some resemblance to =roma fada=).

=ruman= = flowers of pomegranate; _vide_ =rimani=; (_ruman_, the Indian name).

=rumana=, Gladiolus spicatus, Klatt. G. quartinianus, A. Rich. G. unguiculatus, Baker, and other species (Irideæ). Common gladioli with edible corms.

_rumanan doki_, a plant with a larger bulb used as a medicine for horses. A large species in the Benué district is sold for making a sweet food _kunun zaḳi_.

=rumaya=, a slender grass with tough stems, used for cordage, tying thatch, &c.

=rumfar gada=, Cassytha guineensis, Sch. et Thon. (Lauraceæ), a parasitic leafless and rootless twiner like dodder, with wiry stems and small clusters of white flowers and berries. Syn. ?=siliyar sulkuwa=.

=runhu= or =rumfu=, Cassia goratensis, Fres. (Leguminosæ); a small tree with yellow flowers; an infusion of the leaves and pods is used as a wash in parturition, and for fever. _cf._ =rai ḍore=.

=rura=, Parinarium curatellæfolium, Planch. (Rosaceæ); a small tree with an edible mealy pear-shaped fruit; _vide_ under =Gwanja kusa= and =ḳaiḳai=.

=S=

=sa baba sata=, a species of cultivated bean; ?the “yam bean,” _vide_ =giri giri=.

=saḅada= or =safada=, _vide_ under =ḍorowa=.

=sabani=, Tephrosia elongata, Hook. (Leguminosæ); a tall slender plant with pink flowers and pinnate leaves; used as a medicinal charm. Syn. =samachi=. (Etym. “rupture of friendship”—if a leaflet be sharply pulled apart it tears in a forked manner suggesting the parting of roads or disagreement, such as occurs when one challenges another to split it straight), _cf._ =shege=.

=sabara=, Guiera senegalensis, Lam. (Combretaceæ). A shrub with whitish dusty-looking leaves, very abundant in dry infertile regions; a typical plant of dry scrub localities with a small rainfall. Leaves used in various ways as medicine and also as food in some northern districts; burnt to fumigate cattle-pens, &c. to keep off flies; as _maganin rongomi_ by women after parturition; in Sokoto a recognized prophylactic of leprosy; &c., &c.

=saḅi=, _vide_ =baya=, Panicum albidulum, Kunth. (Gramineæ). A wild grass with edible grain gathered by sweeping a calabash across the heads. (Etym. from the method of gathering _saḅi_, and thus perhaps applied to more than one species). _cf._ =garaji=.

=saḅi= or =shiḅa= = carded cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=sabko= (or =sauko=) =bubukuwa=, _vide_ =bubukuwa=.

=sabulun kuyangi=, Zornia diphylla, Pers. (Leguminosæ), a low herb with paired leaflets; sometimes used as fodder and medicinally; said to form a slight lather with water. (Etym. “slaves’ soap”). Syn. =sabulun sallo=.

=sabulum mata= (Sok. Zanf. and Kats.), Vernonia primulina, O. Hoffm. (Compositæ). An erect plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with blue thistle-like flowers. Syn. =tozalin kura=.

=safa= (Sok.), or =shafa= (Kano and East), spring onion; _vide_ =albasa=.

=sa furfura= (Sok.), Crotalaria polychotoma, Taub. (Leguminosæ). A small herb with yellow flowers and pale pubescent leaves; supposed, if accidentally given to an infant, to cause the hair to turn grey before puberty. ?Syn. =yauki=, _q.v._

=sagagi= (Katagum), Indigofera simplicifolia, Lam. (Leguminosæ). A stiff-branched undershrub with small narrow pods.

=sa hankaki dako=, Polygala arenaria, Willd. (Polygalaceæ). A small field herb, used medicinally in cases of serious internal disease, syphilis, &c. (Etym. “cause the crows to wait,” because supposed to be very poisonous). Syn. =sha ni ka san ni=; and =gujiyar dawaki= (Zanfara).

=sainya= (Kano, Kats., &c.), Securidaca longipedunculata, Fres. (Polygalaceæ). A shrub with purple flowers and a winged seed. The root has a rank smell and is used medicinally in many ways, as a purge, worn as a charm, &c. Syn. =uwar magunguna= (Sok., &c.—“mother of medicines”). It is an occasional ingredient in some prescriptions for arrow-poison.

=sakata=, a var. of yam, said to be inferior to others and not used for _sokwara_. (Dioscorea alata, L.). _cf._ =doya=.

=salla=, _vide_ =shalla=.

=samachi=, _vide_ =sabani=.

=samarin danga=, a name for the tree Moringa pterygosperma (_vide_ =zogalagandi=), because commonly planted as a compound fence.

=sambara= = =dawa= or =gero=, &c. half-grown at harvest, and left to mature later.

=samberu=, a tree the leaves of which are poisonous to cattle.

=samsam=, _vide_ under =riḍi=.

=sandalu=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=sandan biri=, =s. dutsi=, or =s. yan bori=, _vide_ under =giginyar biri=.

=sandan mayu=, a name for more than one tree with magical uses; _vide_ under =bakin mutum= and =dawo=.

=sanga sanga= (Sok. and West), Cassia occidentalis, Linn. Syn. =rai ḍore=, _q.v._

=saniya=, an Asclepiad plant with milky sap; _vide_ under =rojiya= and =tafo ka sha mama=.

=sankachen dawa=, =s. gero= = corn reaped and laid out in lines to dry.

=sankwo= (Kano), Syncolostemon ocymoides, Sch. et Thon. (Labiatæ); a wild herb related to =tumuku=, _q.v._ with wrinkled leaves, spikes of deep red flowers, and a tuberous root. Syn. =tumukun biri=.

=sansami= (or =sasămi=), Stereospermum Kunthianum, Cham. (Bignoniaceæ). A small tree with smooth bark, beautiful pink flowers and long narrow pendulous pods. The bark is used medicinally. Syn. =jiri=. (This tree is apparently held in much respect; in Sokoto, &c. called _ḍan sarikin itatuwa_, and not cut for firewood). _kauchin sansami_, the parasitic plant Loranthus (_vide_ =kauchi=), when growing on this species is considered a lucky find.

=farin sansami=, _vide_ =shunin biri=, and =halshen sa=.

=sansami= (Sok. and Kats.) = foliage.

=sansari=, _vide_ under =kyamro=.

=sarakuwar sauro= (Katsina, &c.), Leucas martinicensis, R. Br. (Labiatæ); an odorous weed with whorls of small white flowers. (Etym. because supposed to be incompatible with mosquitoes). Syn. =ḍeiḍoyar gona=.

=saran waga=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=sarawan goro=, _cf._ proverb _sarawan goro a zanche ni_—2 calabashes of kola nuts being bought by two persons are divided for fairness into equal halves, either buyer taking one-half of each.

=sare gwiwa=, Hygrophila spinosa, T. Anders. (Acanthaceæ); an erect hard plant of damp places with blue flowers and long spines. (Etym. “prick the knee”). Syn. =zazar giwa=, and =dayin giwa=.

=sarikin jibji= (=s. juji=), _vide_ under =fasa ḳabba= and =babba juji=. (Species of Boerhaavia, Trianthema, and Portulaca are all somewhat succulent weeds of waste places and rubbish heaps, and their names are often interchangeable).

=sarḳaḳiya=, Dichrostachys platycarpa, Welw. (Leguminosæ); a very thorny scrambling shrub in the bush forming dense thickets; a sort of “wait a bit thorn.” Sometimes loosely called =dufuwa=, =baḳin gumbi= and =ḳumchi=, _q.v._

=sarri=? (Bauchi), a plant used as a neutralizing bath in tanning leather. (? = =katsari=).

=sasabani= (Hadeija, &c.), Parkinsonia aculeata, L. (Leguminosæ). “Jerusalem Thorn.” (Arab. _sasaban_, Sesbania ægyptica, Poir.). An exotic tree with yellow flowers and narrow pinnate leaves, planted in towns. In Sokoto called by the Ful. name _sharan labbi_. _cf._ =alambo=.

=sawaye=, _vide_ under =abduga=.

=sawu dubu=, Ipomœa dissecta, Willd. (Convolvulaceæ). A small ground trailer with white flowers and deeply divided leaves. (Etym. “1000 foot-prints,” from the numerous dissect leaves).

=sawun gauraka=, _vide_ =ḳafar fakara=.

=sawun gwanki=, a flat-leaved stemless herb, used as a medicine for hunters.

=shafa= (Kano), or =safa= (Sok.). A variety of onion; _vide_ =albasa=.

=shair= (Arab.), Hordeum sativum, Pers. Barley; rarely grown in N. Nigeria.

=sha ka sani=, _vide_ =sa hankaki dako=.

=shalla= (Kano and East), or =salla= (Sok.). A tall reed with light stems growing in marshes in the north; stems used for screens called _feḍḍa_, &c. A bulrush. Typha australis, Sch. and Thonn. _bambana_ = the flowering or fruiting head, called also _geron tsuntsaye_ (Kano), or _tumun shalla_. _laka_ = the soft edible core of the immature flowering head.

=shamrayi=, _vide_ =karan kabau=.

=shanshera=, unhusked rice; _vide_ under =shinkafa=.

=shantu=, a long narrow var. of the bottle-gourd; _vide_ under =duma=.

=sharan labbi= (Sok. Ful.), _vide_ =sasabani=.

=sha shatau=, a malam’s charm to secure favour, hence applied to some plants with a similar use, e.g. Jussiæa villosa, Lam. (Onagraceæ), an erect weed of wet places with yellow flowers, used as a medicine or charm by wrong-doing slaves and others. (Etym. _shashasha_ = simpleton or irresponsible person who is treated with lenient ridicule rather than seriously).

=shedari=, a mat made from the unexpanded fronds of the Fan Palm, _vide_ =giginya= and =murli=.

=shege=, a term similar to =sabani=, _q.v._ applied to several leguminous weeds with leaves which tear in an irregular manner.

=sheḳani= or =sheḳar zomo=, Vernonia sp. near V. pumila, (Compositæ); a low herb with thistle-like flower and broad flat leaves; the root-tubers are bitter and used medicinally for venereal and other diseases. (Syn. =ba gashi=? Kontagora—from the bristly pappus).

=sheme=, _vide_ =kyamro=.

=shiḅa= or =saḅi= = carded cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=shibra= or =shura=, _vide_ under =gero=.

=shinaka= (Sok. Kats., &c.), Ctenium elegans, Kunth. (Gramineæ). A grass about 2 feet high with a single one-sided bristly flower-spike. Syn. =wutsiyar kusu=. (The name includes the similar species Schœnefeldia gracilis, Kunth. with several one-sided flower-spikes). Used in thatching.

=shinkafa=, Oryza sativa, Linn. (Gramineæ). Rice; cultivated in marshes and inundated localities. _shanshera_ or _burungu_ = rice grain in the husk; _ḍanyen gumi_ = husked but unboiled rice; _gumi_ = husked rice boiled and dried; _bawu_ (Sok. Ful.?), or _shinkafa wutsiya_ = rice unsown but growing sporadically from fallen grains; often harvested and eaten.

=shinkafe=, or =lalaki= (Sok.), Oryza silvestris, Stapf. Wild Rice; common in marshes and pools; much used for thatch and eaten in scarcity; (= Ful. _nanare_, name used equally by Hausas in Sokoto). Syn. =shinkafar rishi= (Katsina and East; _rishi_ = wart-hog, _gadu_ or _mugun dăwa_, which eats the roots).

=shirinya=, Ficus sp. (Urticaceæ). Narrow-leaved fig-tree. A large tree with milky juice and small figs. Syn. =shiriya= (Sok.).

=shiwaka=, Vernonia amygdalina, Delile (Compositæ). A shrub with whitish flowers, wild and commonly planted in compounds; the root is used as a tooth-stick and bitter tonic, and the leaves medicinally in various ways. _maye_ (Sok.), or _fatte_ (Kano), or _fate fate_ (East Hausa), is a secret medicine of women, prepared from the leaves along with other native drugs.

=shiwakar jan garigari=, a shrub with bitter properties like the above. (Etym. because said to grow in places of red soil). Anaphrenium pulcherrimum, Schweinf. (Anacardiaceæ), and probably others.

=shuni=, prepared indigo; the blue dye-stuff extracted from =baba=, usually sold as blue cones or lumps.

=shunin biri= (Kontagora), Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, G. et P. (Leguminosæ). A small tree with bunches of purple flowers. Syn. =farin sansami= (Sok. and Kats.), =halshen sa= (Zanfara). In some pagan districts this is called =babar talaki=, and used as a dye; _vide_ =talaki=.

=shura= or =shibra=, _vide_ under =gero=.

=siliyar sulkuwa=, _vide_ under =rumfar gada=.

=siyayi= or =tsiyayi= = =ḳeḳasheshe=; _vide_ under =rama=.

=soso=, Luffa ægyptiaca, Mill. (Cucurbitaceæ). “Loofah gourd;” a climber with yellow flowers and cucumber-shaped fruit with a fibrous vascular skeleton used as a scrubber or strainer, &c. Pulp of immature fruit eaten cooked. _soson yama_, Luffa acutangula, Roxb. a species with larger fruit with longitudinal ridges; (called also _soson wanka_, because more used as a loofah in washing).

=subtu= or =sutu=; cotton before carding, pulled by hand after removal of the seeds by a roller on a stone; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=sunasar= = a food made from wheat; _vide_ under =alkama=.

=sure= (Sok.) = =yakuwa=, _q.v._ Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Linn. “Red Sorrel.”

=suren fadama= (Sok.), Triumfetta pentandra, A. Rich. (Tiliaceæ); an erect branching undershrub with small echinate fruits which adhere to the clothing; _vide_ =ḍan kaḍafi=. The leaves are sometimes used as _chusar doki_; _vide_ under =kuka=.

=surendi=, _vide_ =dayi=.

=sutura=, a species of Euphorbia with milky juice; called also =tutar yan sariki=; (_vide_ also under =zaḳami=).

=T=

=Taba=, Nicotiana tabacum, Linn. (Solanaceæ). Tobacco. Cultivated in most parts of _N. Nigeria_ in alluvial soil; used for smoking and in the form of powder for chewing and as snuff. Flowers rubbed on the teeth while chewing certain varieties of kola nut, to give a red colour; _fure_ = a flower, when unqualified generally means tobacco flowers.

=taḅa ni ka samu=, a name applied to several trees affording useful products; e.g. Ficus Vogelii, Miq. of which the latex forms a variety of rubber. _cf._ =kurnan nasara=, and =zogalagandi=.

=tabar angulu=, =tabar kura=, a species of fungus; _vide_ =tumukun suri=.

=tabarman zomo=, _vide_ =takalmin zomo=.

=tafarnuwa=, Allium sativum, Linn. (Liliaceæ). Garlic. Cultivated like the onion; _vide_ =albasa=, from which it differs in having flat leaves (hollow or fistular in the onion), and the bulb divided into several lesser bulblets. Only used as a medicine, commonly for fevers and stomach complaints.

=tafasa=, Cassia tora, Linn. (Leguminosæ). An undershrub of the senna tribe with yellow flowers; leaves used in soup and as a mild laxative.

=tafashia=, Sarcocephalus Russegeri, Kotschy (Rubiaceæ). A shrub with large balls of white flowers and a red edible fruit; bark and root used medicinally; a common “Chew-stick.”

=tafo ka sha mamarka=, Schizoglossum sp. nr. S. Petherickianum, Oliv. (Asclepiadeæ). A small herb with umbels of white flowers and milky juice. (Etym. “come and take the breast;” probably used for others of the same Natural Order, the “milkweed” family; _vide_ =tatarida=, =saniya=, and =rojiya=.)

=taga rana=, _vide_ =idon zakara=.

=takalmin zomo= (Kano, Sok., &c.), Cadalvena Dalzielii, C. H. Wright (Scitamineæ). A low stemless herb of the ginger family, with 4 flat succulent leaves and yellow flowers. Syn. =tabarman zomo= (Zaria), and =kunnen zomo=.

=takaluwa=, a synonym for =daddawa=, _q.v._

=takanḍa=, Sorghum vulgare, _var._ saccharatum (Gramineæ). One of the species of sugar-cane; grown like Guinea Corn to which it is botanically akin. _cf._ =rake=.

=takanḍar giwa= (Kats. Sok. and Zanf.), Hannoa undulata, Planch. (Simarubeæ). A tree with pinnate leaves, white fragrant blossoms and black plum-like fruit. Syn. =namijin gwabsa= (Kontagora, &c.). N.B. In many districts the name is applied to the tree Cussonia nigerica, Hutch. or =gwabsa=, _q.v._ _cf._ also =raken giwa=.

=takeyi=, _vide_ under =kuḅewa=.

=talaki= or =talakin Yarubawa=, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Benth. (Leguminosæ). “West African Indigo.” “Yoruba Wild Indigo.” A woody climber. The indigo dye prepared from the leaves, better than that from =baba=, is imported into N. Nigeria (e.g. to Sokoto from Illorin), and dyeing is done in pots not in pits. _vide_ also =shunin biri=.

=taliya=, a sort of macaroni made from flour of =alkama=, _q.v._ (Etym. probably from Italy).

=tamangaji=, _vide_ under =gero=.

=tamaseki=, _vide_ under =baba=.

=tamba=, Eleusine corocana, Gaertn. (Gramineæ). A grass about 2 feet high, wild and cultivated as a kind of millet; flowering head with many crowded rays, “Kurakan”—Ceylon; “Marua” or “Ragi” Millet—India.

=tambari=, a herb; ?Grangea maderaspatana, Poir. (Compositæ). A weed with small solid heads of yellow flowers and divided leaves.

=tamna geḍa=, a small var. of water-melon; _vide_ under =guna=.

=tamraro= or =tauraro=, Anthericum sp. (Liliaceæ). A small liliaceous plant with yellowish stems and white flowers opening in the evening; somewhat resembling “Star of Bethlehem.” (Etym. “star.”). In Zanfara used also for Cyanotis cæspitosa, Kotschy. et Peyr. (Commelynaceæ), a small stemless plant with azure blue flowers (and probably other species).

=tandara=, _vide_ =idon zakara=.

=tankwa= (Sok.), red pepper; _vide_ =barkono=.

=tantaroba=, Indigofera diphylla, Vent. (Leguminosæ). A low spreading herb with 2-foliate leaves and pink flowers; used medicinally.

=tantsiya=, _vide_ =kwankwani=.

=taramniya=, Combretum verticillatum, Eng. and Diels, and several other species (Combretaceæ). A tree with white spikes of flowers and 4-winged fruit; a source of gum. (C. geitonophyllum, Diels, and others).

=tara yaya=, _vide_ =giginyar biri=.

=tarin gida= (Sok., &c.), Glossonema nubicum, Decne. (Asclepiadeæ). A low branched herb of fields and waste places in the north, with milky juice and follicles covered with soft prickles. Syn. =tatarida=. (Etym. of both names from the pods crowded to bursting with silky seeds). Sometimes called =tafo ka sha mama=, _q.v._ Eaten by goats and capable of being used as a vegetable.

=tarnekuwa=, a var. of =gero=, _q.v._

=taru=, Combretum herbaceum, Don. (Combretaceæ). A low undershrub with 4-winged fruit and hard root (hence also called =kariye galma=, _q.v._, or “break hoe”).

=tasshi=, _vide_ under =gawo=.

=tataba= (Sok.). Syn. =mashayi=, _q.v._

=tatarida=, _vide_ =tarin gida=.

=tatasai=, large chillie peppers; _vide_ under =barkono=.

=taura=, Detarium senegalense, Gmel. (Leguminosæ). A small tree with white flowers and flattened oval fruit; the latter is used with that of =kanya= and =ḍinya= to make a sort of molasses (_maḍi_).

=tawatsa= or =tawassa=, Entada sudanica, Schweinf. (Leguminosæ); a common tree of the acacia type with white spikes of flowers and curious jointed and embossed pods; it yields an inferior gum; fibre is got from the root-bark; _vide_ =yawa= and =meḍi=.

=tazargadi=, a native medicine; the pounded fragrant leaves of a plant (Artemisia sp.?); brought by Arabs.

=terkon ḅera=, _vide_ =tsatsarar ḅera=.

=tinya= or =tunya= (Kano), =tumniya= (Sok. and Zanf.), Euphorbia unispina, N. E. Brown. a cactus-like shrub, with an acrid milky juice; a common accessory ingredient of arrow-poison. (E. Poissoni, Pax, and perhaps other species are included).

=tofa= or =toha=, Imperata arundinacea, Cyrill (Gramineæ). A stiff-leaved grass with a white cottony flower-spike, growing up in fields, &c. after harvest or burning, especially in damp situations; used for thatch and stuffing cushions.

_zakaran tofa_ = the sharp young shoots which pierce the heel.

=tofo= or =toho=, the young leaf-buds or sprouting of any tree or grass. Syn. =labaye=. _cf._ =fuda=.

=toshshi= or =twashshi=, _vide_ under =barkono=.

=toton masara=, _vide_ under =masara=.

=tozalin barewa= (Katagum), Vernonia pauciflora, Less. (Compositæ); a field-herb with blue thistle-like flowers.

=tozalin kura=, _vide_ =sabulun mata=.

=tsa= or =tswa= (Sok.), Fluggea microcarpa, Blume (Euphorbiaceæ). A slender-branched small-leaved shrub with white berries; the tough stems are used for making wicker traps, native beds, &c. (hence also called _itchen gado_); occasionally planted near houses. _vide_ =faskara giwa=.

=tsabre= or =tsaure=, Cymbopogon giganteum, Stapf (Gramineæ); a tall fragrant grass, used for _zana_, screens, &c.; (sometimes confused with the narrow-leaved grass =nobe=, _q.v._).

=tsada= or =tswada= (Sok.), Ximenia americana, Linn. (Olacineæ); a shrub with small yellow plum-like fruit of acid taste.

=tsadar Lamarudu= or =tsadar Masar=, Spondias lutea, Linn. (Anacardiaceæ); “Hog Plum;” “Yellow Spanish” or “Jamaica Plum.” A tree with alternate pinnate leaves, warty bark and a yellow drupaceous fruit with acid aromatic taste. (Benué region and the south. _Lamarudu_ was a historic king in the time of the Prophet).

=tsaido= or =tsidau= (Kano, &c.), =tsaida= (Sok.), Tribulus terrestris, Linn. (Zygophylleæ). “Caltrop;” (_cf._ =dayi=). A prostrate yellow-flowered weed with a strongly-spined fruit that injures the foot; a common pest of paths and waste places. (Etym. probably = “stop”).

=tsakara=, Anchomanes Dalzielli, N. E. Brown, and other allied species (Aroideæ); an aroid with a large much divided leaf on a tall prickly stem; the tuber is eaten in scarcity after prolonged boiling to remove the acridity. _cf._ also =hansar gada=?

=tsamiya=, Tamarindus indica, Linn. (Leguminosæ). Tamarind Tree. A large tree with pinnate leaves and yellowish or red-striped flowers; the acid pulp of the pods is used in various ways as food and drink and as a laxative medicine. (The tree is the host of one of the species of wild silkworm—Anaphe sp. also called _tsamiya_). _ḍan garraza_ (Kano), _tun jamjam_? (East Hausa) = flowers of =tsamiya= eaten fresh and made up into comestibles.

=tsamiyar makiyaya=, =ts. mahalba=, or =ts. ḳassa=, Nelsonia campestris, R. Br. (Acanthaceæ); a soft-leaved prostrate weed with slightly acid leaves and close spikes of small pink flowers.

=tsana=, an edible cucumber-shaped var. of the bottle-gourd? _vide_ under =duma=.

=tsarariya=, a var. of the common country bean, =wake=, _q.v._