VI.— INDIGENOUS FOREST TREES 



Species marked with an asterisk (*) are Lane Poole's^ ; those marked with an 

 obelisk (f) are the Author's. 



Pandanaces. 



Pandanus candelabrum. Screw Pine. Bambi (Mendi). 

 Pandanus sp. near P. candelabrum.^ Screw Pine. Pambei (Mendi). 

 It is a tree with wide-spreading prop roots always growing 

 in running fresh water. The leaves are used in basket-making. 



Palmae. 



Elceis Guineensis.* Oil Palm. Ankump (Timani) ; Tui, Tauwi, 

 Taupwi (young trees), (Mendi). 



The well-known Oil Palm. It is a most useful tree, thriving 

 best near villages, but growing abundantly in the northern 

 part of the forests. The nuts contain a large quantity of oil. 

 They are used also for planting. 

 Borassus flabellifer.* Fan or Daleb Palm. Tunka (Timani); Hoke 

 (Mendi). 



It grows to about 70 feet in the grass country. Umbrellas 

 are made from the leaves, also baskets. The stems are used 

 for building-posts. 

 Raphia vinifera."^ Wine Palm. Ankent (Timani) ; Duvui (Mendi). 

 Sometimes called the Tombo Palm. It is very gregarious, 

 being frequently found forming almost a small forest in swampy 

 ground. 

 EapJiia sp. near R. Gaertneri.* Kili (Mendi). 



It is a small plant of only 10 feet, growing in the swamps. 

 It does not yield wine. Baskets and mats are made from the 

 leaf stalks and thatch from the leaves. 

 Calamus sp.'^ Balui (Mendi). 



This is a climbing palm or rattan, growing to the top of 

 the highest trees, having a diameter of 2 inches, armed with 

 strong hooked spines. The stem, when split, is used for tying 

 the rafters of houses ; lengths of it are used as clothes-lines. 

 Suspension bridges are even made over the river. 

 Calamus sp.* Tambelei (Mendi). 



This species grows as high as the preceding one, but is only 

 I inch in diameter. Besides being used as cordage, it is 

 employed as thatching. 



^ Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers of Sierra Leone. See Lane Poole. 

 41 



