42 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Liliaceae. 



Draccena Mannii* Ningei (Mendi). 



This tree grows to 30 feet in height, and is called the 

 Asparagus Tree by Europeans, because the flavour of the 3'oung 

 leaves is like asparagus. The natives eat them chopped with 

 their rice. 



Ulmaceac. 



Trema affinis* Gombei (Mendi) 



A small tree, from 25 to 30 feet. It springs up in cleared 

 farms ; the wood is of little use except as thatching laths. The 

 bark is peeled and eaten for coughs. 

 Trema Africana* f 



A medium-sized tree. 



Moraceae. 



Ficus Vogelii* Jol, Lopi (Timani) ; Gonwi (Mendi). 



A much-branched tree, yielding a latex, which coagulated 

 has been sold at from 6d. to Is. a lb. in London as paste rubber. 

 Ficus sp* Wild Fig or Sandpaper Tree. Indaihen (Mendi). 



This species has rough leaves like sandpaper, hence its 

 name. They are used to clean woodwork. 

 Ficus platyphytes. Gonwe (Mendi). 



Chlorophora excelsa* Iroko, Teak, African Oak. Tema (Timani) ; 

 Sime or Semei (Mendi). 



It is found particularly near old clearings, but not so 

 frequently in the forest. It is a termite-resisting timber ; called 

 Teak, Oroko or African Oak, when exported, it is worth about 

 l|d. per superficial foot. At one time the latex was used as 

 an adulterant for rubber. It polishes well and makes very 

 handsome furniture. Canoes, pestles, rice-basins, etc., are 

 made from it. Dr. Unwin suggests that Iroko is a corruption 

 for rock elm. 

 Musanga Smithii* Corkwood. Ofika (Timani) ; Govwi (Mendi). 

 It is a common tree, growing to about 60 feet in old farm 

 lands, and affords a shade for forest species to get a footing. 

 It is remarkable for its wide-spreading prop roots and large 

 palmate leaves. 

 Myrianthus arboreus* Fofoi (Mendi). 



A small tree. 

 Myrianthus sp* Fofoi (Mendi). 



A small tree. 

 Myrianthus serratus* Fofoi (Mendi). 

 A small tree with edible fruit. 



