302 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 



Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. One of 

 the most tj'pical features of this small tree are the small, pink, 

 coral-like flowers which appear in Februarj'. The tree is armed 

 with a few thin but very sharp thorns ; the foliage is slight 

 and open. On suckers or stool-shoots the leaf is much larger 

 and almost lyre-shaped. It is usually found in waste places 

 or in open clearings in the mixed deciduous forest. It yields 

 a soft wood which is not durable. It is sometimes used for 

 making fences. 



Tephrosia Ansellii (Hook). Boro (Yoruba). 



It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Abeokuta 

 province of Nigeria. 



Tephrosia Vogelii (H. K. F.). Fish-poison. Were, Igun, Laye 

 Igu (Yoruba). 



This small shrub is apparently indigenous to Africa, but 

 is usually seen planted in the fields of the Abeokuta, Oyo, 

 Benin, Owerri and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is not 

 unlike a large upright vetch, but with a strong, green stem, 

 almost woody in growth. It reaches a height of about 3 feet 

 and flowers very profuselj^ and bears a large number of pods, 

 not unlike those of the runner bean. The plant is cut down 

 and placed in the water where it is desired to catch all the 

 fish, chiefly in stagnant pools of rivers or ponds. The effect 

 of the poison from it blinds and stupefies the fish so that they 

 are easily caught. Under the Game Preservation Ordinance, 

 its use has been j^rohibited, but with its widespread culti- 

 vation and general utility it has been found very difiicult 

 to eradicate the custom or the plant. Incidentally it is a 

 very good green manming crop for agricultural land. How- 

 ever, most natives are unaware of this fact, and it is 

 usually only planted for the purpose of using it as a fish- 

 poison. 



Burkea. 



A species of Burkea was found near the Oyan River in the 

 Oyo province of Nigeria. 



Lonchocar^ms sericeus. African Wisteria. Ipapo, Apapo (Yoruba). 

 This tree is found in the Olokemeji, Ibadan, Ilesha and 

 Calabar districts. It is a medium-sized tree, which bears lilac- 

 coloured flowers. As the flowers appear before the leaves in the 

 dry season, it is then very ornamental, and is in fact one of 

 the prettiest flowering trees. The wood is very hard and 

 the heartwood green when freshly cut. 

 Timber. — This is not of much service. 

 Uses. — Hoe-handles are made from the branches, and the 

 bark is used in medicine. 



