240 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



usually found in or at the edge of the mangrove swamp, where 

 it appears to thrive. It is often rather bent in shape, and 

 does not exceed 10 feet in height. It is usually partially 

 gregarious, thougn the groups of this species are much smaller 

 than those of P. spinosa. The natives in this locality scarcely 

 use it at all. The fruit is rather smaller, and it bears in a less 

 prolific manner than P. spinosa. 

 Phoenix spinosa. Wild Date Palm. Okun (Yoruba) ; Ukukon 

 (Benin). 



It is a common tree in the Ogoja, Benin, Ondo and Ibadan 

 provinces of Nigeria. In appearance more like a very thin 

 stemmed Oil Palm, on nearer approach the bluish-green, almost 

 silvery, more open, shorter and rather sharply pointed fronds 

 readily distinguish it from the Oil Palm group. The fruit is 

 the shape of a very small date, many of which are borne on 

 thin fibrous twigs of a very stout stalk. It is usually found 

 in the open deciduous or savannah forest zone. 



The natives use the stems for rafters and house-posts ; the 

 fruit and bark are used medicinally; and the leaves are used 

 for making sieves, hats, mats and bags. 

 Calamus dearatus. Benin Cane or Rattan. Erogbo (Benin). 



It is found in the Benin province of Nigeria. It is one 

 of the rarer canes of the forest, has a yellow flower, and is found 

 near Okenuhen. The canes are used for fences and house- 

 building. 

 Eremospatha macrocarpa (Mann and Wenal). Small Benin Rattan. 

 Ukan (Yoruba) ; Ikan (Benin). 



It is found in the Benin, Calabar, Ondo and Abeokuta 

 provinces of Nigeria. 



It is a common ^-inch thick cane, which attains a length 

 of nearly 200 feet. It grows in clumps and climbs up over 

 the surrounding trees. The fruit is yellow and rather like 

 a small larch cone which has not opened. It is used for making 

 rope and baskets, tying timber rafts, house-building, etc. ; in 

 fact, it is the best cane in West Africa. 

 Eremospatha sp. Large Benin Rattan. Okakan (Benin). 



It is found in Ondo, Abeokuta, Benin, Warri, Brass, Owerri, 

 Calabar and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. 



It is a large creeper, nearly an inch in diameter and 

 attaining a length of nearly 200 feet. It is usually found 

 partly growing on other trees in more or less open places at 

 the edge of the forest, near river banks, in the evergreen forest 

 zone ; it is also found at the edges of swamps in the same 

 region. It often forms dense cane brakes. One of the most 

 typical features of this cane is the reddish-orange cone-like 



