THE NIGERIAN TIMBER TREES 257 



exceeding 8 feet in height, and a much-branched, heavy crown, 

 with very lai'ge leaf, cut up in the form of a large digit, much 

 more pronounced than the horse chestnut. The leaves, on 

 falling, rot and form a heavy layer of black humus. In the 

 dry season the dew condenses to such an extent on the leaves 

 that the tree drips in the morning, and the neighbourhood of 

 such trees is always moist when the rest of the forest is dry. 



The large, rough, elongated, pear-shaped fruit, like an 

 overgrown sweetsop, is quite characteristic of this tree. 



It is found in the Ondo, Benin, Owerri, Warri, Calabar 

 and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. 



It is scarcely big enough for timber, but would make a good 

 undergrowth for a light-loving species such as mahogany or 

 teak, and would kill all weeds on good soil. Usually found 

 on good soil. The timber is white and soft. 

 No botanical name. Iragbo-Amuje (Yoruba) ; Igogo (Benin). 



It is a large tree with almost hard white wood, more the 

 texture of Triplochiton. The fruit is a drupe, with a small 

 nut inside. Termites do not attack the wood. It is a quick- 

 growing tree, which comes up very frequently in old farms. 



It is a common tree in the Benin country. 



It is a shade-bearer. 



Native Use. — In the Benin country it is used for door lintels 

 and cross-pieces in house-building. 



Urticaceae. 



Urera. Ela (Yoruba) ; Akinrankiri (Benin). 



Found in the Yoruba and Benin countries. 



Proteaceae. 



Faurea speciosa. Red-brown timber. 

 Found in the Calabar province. 



Olacaceae. 



Heisteria parvifolia. White Nut (?). Ikereoha (Benin). 



It rarely exceeds the height of about 8 feet and a girth 

 of about 1 foot. 



This is a small shrub with red flowers of four petals at right 

 angles to each other, in the middle of w^hich a white-coloured 

 fruit forms. On peeling off the white skin, a black nut is 

 disclosed, which is edible. It tastes more like a hazel-nut. 

 The red flower is the most distinguishing feature, and makes 

 this plant show up amongst the evergreen zone. 



It is found in the Ondo, Benin, and Calabar provinces of 

 Nigeria. 



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