30. Amaranthus blitum L. (Amarant.) Wild Elite, see A. lividus L. 



31. A. caudatus L. Love-lies-bleeding. 

 Ndangale (N), ntatasika (Y), bondokhotwe (Tu), bonde, nyampamba (Nk), ndewere (?). 



An annual herb, erect up to 3 ft. tall with large narrow elliptic leaves and 

 numerous spikes of small chaffy-yellowish or red flowers arranged in a dense terminal 

 panicle. 



The young reddish leaves are cooked as side-dish without potashes, groundnuts 

 and tomatoes are added. The product is well liked. The leaves are known to be 

 used commonly in both the Mlanje and Karonga Districts and are eaten occasionally 

 in Fort Johnston District (Lake-shore). 



Ref. 17;23. 



32. A. lividus L. (Amarant.) Wild Elite. 

 Bonongwe (N, Y), eyiyewe (Ngu), boiva (Se), mberekete (Tu), bondwe (To), nteke, 



nfyongolomya (Nk). 



There appears to have been much confusion over the correct specific identity 

 of some of the Amarayithus found growing in tropical Africa ; recently all the specimens 

 in the East African Herbarium named A. blitum L. have been reidentified as A. 

 lividus L. by Dr. Suessenguth an authority on the A^narantaceat. 



A glabrous much-branched small annual, rarely more than 15 ins. high; leaves 

 up to 2 ins. long; many very small flowers in the axils of the leaves; fruit is small. 

 Found widespread, a weed of waste ground and cultivated land. 



The leaves are edible and are commonly used for side-dishes all over the country. 

 They are soft and do not need soda or potashes, the cooked product is sweet tasting 

 and much liked. Groundnuts improve the dish but the leaves are palatable without 

 them. The leaves are available all the year where water is abundant. 



♦ 33. A. polygamous L. Indian spinach. 



An erect annual similar in appearance to A. lividus. It was tried out at Mwera 

 Hill in 1940 and found to be little if any improvement upon the latter as far as yield 

 and palatability of leaf are concerned. 



34. A. spinosus L. Spiny Pigweed. 



Ntatasika (Y). Other native names as for A. lividus L. 



An annual herb growing to 3 ft., leaves are long pctioled, blade 2-3 ins. long 

 with two stipular spines in the axils of some of the lower leaves. Flowers in cylin- 

 drical spikes. Found as a weed of cultivated ground and waste places widespread 

 throughout the country. 



The leaf is edible and cooked in a similar way to A. lividus. The whole plant is 

 often burnt and its ash used to mix with snuff" and for the cooking of leaves. 



Ref. 1 ; 6. 



* 35. A. tricolor L. (Amarant.) Chinese spinach. 



An erect ammal with small leaves, similar in appearance to the native A. lividus. 

 It was tried out at Mwera Hill. (1940) and was found to be little if any improve- 

 ment upon A. lividus as far as yield and palatability of leaf are concerned. 



♦36. Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacard.) Cashew nut. 



Mhibu (C), msololikoko (Y), nkoloso (Nk). 



Native of tropical America; a much-branched tree up to 20 ft., with alternate 

 evergreen leathery leaves, flowers small white in terminal panicles, fruit apple-like, 

 from the end of which the grey-skinned nut projects. The apple is very juicy and 



17 



