216 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Celtis integrifolia, Lam. Zuwo or Dukki. 



This is a fairly large tree of the savannah forest region, found as far 

 north at least as Sokoto. The leaves are edible and are used as fodder. 



Ficus or Urostigma spp. 



This genus has not yet been fully elaborated, and the native names 

 cannot in all cases be definitely applied to distinct botanical species. 

 The following appear to be fairly established : Chediya, Ficus 

 Thonningii, Bl., one of the commonest shade trees, planted in towns 

 and abundant far North in French territory ; Durumi, F. syringifolia, 

 Warb., perhaps equally common, with shining heart-shaped and 

 pointed leaves ; Baure, F. gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich, (the rough-leaved 

 species with soft figs which are sometimes considered edible) ; Uwar 

 yara, F. Capensis, Thunb. {sensu lato), recognized by the wavy or 

 indented-margined leaves, and especially by the figs being borne in 

 dense clusters on the trunk ; Gamji, F. platyphylla, Del. (the source 

 of " Red Kano Rubber " and the host of one of the wild silkworms, 

 Anaphe sp.). Kawuri probably includes F. kawuri, Hutch., and F. 

 glumosa, Del. Wa is a species with broadly cordate leaves, strongly 

 veined, and Shirinya is a narrow-leaved species. F. Vogelii, Mig., is 

 a glossy-leaved rubber-tree, more abundant in ravines and in the 

 moister forests farther South. 



The Gamji and Shirinya, and perhaps some of the others, almost 

 invariably begin life as epiphytes. 



Most of the species have abundant aerial rootlets, and the latex 

 of F. Vogelii, of Gamji, and perhaps of Kawuri and Shirinya, yields 

 rubber of varying quality. 



Raphia vinifera, P. Beauv. (Palmeae). Tukuruwa ; " Bamboo Palm," 

 " Wine Palm." 

 This well-known palm is found in ravines in the savannah region 

 as far as Zaria province, but is a proper member of swampy patches 

 and moist forests of the South. Roofing poles and palm- wine are 

 its products most used in the North. 



Borassus flabellifer, var. Mthiopum, Warb. Giginya ; " Deleb," 

 " Palmyra " or " Fan Palm." 

 The most characteristic palm of Hausaland, with tall, straight 

 and often beaded stems. The germinating shoots from the planted 

 nuts are a vegetable called muruchi, and the wood and leaves have the 

 familiar uses in house-building, mat and basket weaving, etc. 



Hyphcene Thebaica, Mart. Goriba ; " Dum " or " Gingerbread Palm." 

 The typical palm of the more northerly Hausa provinces, character- 

 ized by its forked stems and obliquely fan-shaped leaves. The kernel 



